Maybe the house needs work you can't afford. Maybe a parent passed and the house is sitting empty in a county you don't live in. Maybe a notice of sale showed up and the date is closer than you'd like. Whatever brought you here, you want a clear answer and a real number, not a sales pitch.
MarKey Home Buyers is a cash home buyer based in Atlanta, Georgia. We buy houses directly from owners across Tennessee, in the big metros and the small towns in between. We handle the process by phone, text and email, arrange a quick walkthrough, and close through a title company or closing attorney.
Why Tennessee sellers choose a cash sale
- No repairs or cleanup. We buy the house in the condition it's in today, contents and all.
- Nothing out of your pocket. No commissions, no fees, and we cover typical closing costs.
- Speed when you need it. A cash sale skips the appraisal and loan approval, so closing can happen in as little as two weeks when the title is clear.
- The math, in writing. You get a written offer, usually within 24 hours, and we walk you through how we arrived at it.
- Honesty about fit. If listing with an agent makes more sense for your house, we'll tell you.
Situations we can help with
Want to skip the fix-up entirely? See what it means to sell as-is.
How foreclosure works in Tennessee
Most residential foreclosures in Tennessee happen out of court. Instead of a lawsuit, the house is sold at a public sale under the deed of trust after notice is given. Here's what that looks like for a homeowner:
- The waiting period. Federal rules generally keep a servicer from starting foreclosure until the loan is more than 120 days behind.
- The published notice. Under Tenn. Code Ann. 35-5-101, as amended July 1, 2025, the sale must be advertised at least two times in a newspaper in the county, with the first run at least 20 days before the sale, and posted online for at least 20 continuous days. Some deeds of trust still require three newspaper ads.
- The mailed notice. The borrower must be sent a copy of the notice by registered or certified mail on or before the first newspaper date.
- The sale. The house is auctioned on the date in the notice. Sales can be postponed, so dates sometimes move.
That timeline can be short. If you have a sale date, call your lender about reinstatement or a repayment plan, consider a HUD-approved housing counselor, and reach out to us early if selling is on the table. A sale that closes before the auction pays off the loan, and we'll tell you honestly whether there's enough time.
Tennessee specifics
- Property taxes. In Nashville, Memphis and Knoxville, property taxes are collected by the county Trustee, and taxes left unpaid can eventually end in a tax sale.
- Probate. The court depends on the county. Davidson and Shelby counties each have a court dedicated to probate, while Knox County handles estates in a Probate Division of its Chancery Court.
Our city pages name each office so you know who's who.
Where we buy in Tennessee
We buy houses statewide. For local details on the three largest metros we serve, start here:
No pressure, ever. Our offer is free and comes with zero obligation. Even if we’re not the right fit, we’ll point you in the right direction.
Need to sell a Tennessee house fast?Send us the address and your timeline. We’ll tell you what we can do and put a real offer in writing.
Get My Tennessee Cash Offer →Confidential · No obligation · Or call/text (678) 926-9776 How it works
Tell us about the house online or call or text (678) 926-9776. After a short conversation and a walkthrough, you'll get a written cash offer. Say yes and we close with a title company or closing attorney on your schedule. Say no and there's no cost and no hard feelings.
Questions sellers ask
How do I sell my house fast in Tennessee?
The fastest route is usually a direct sale to a cash buyer, since there’s no listing, showings or lender approval. Send us the address and we’ll make a written offer, usually within 24 hours, and we can close in as little as two weeks when the title is clear.
Are cash home buyers in Tennessee legit?
Many are, but check before you sign. A legitimate buyer puts the offer in writing, closes through a title company or attorney, and never asks you for money up front. We’re glad to answer any of those questions before you decide.
How much notice is given before a foreclosure sale in Tennessee?
Under Tennessee law (section 35-5-101 of the state code), the first newspaper notice must run at least 20 days before the sale, and the notice must also be posted online for at least 20 continuous days. That isn’t much time, so if you’ve seen a notice, talk with your lender or a housing counselor and send us the date right away.
Do I have to fix up my house before selling it in Tennessee?
Not if you sell to us. We buy as-is, so repairs, cleanup and leftover belongings become our job. Our offer accounts for the condition up front, so there are no repair requests later.
Who collects property taxes in Davidson, Shelby and Knox counties?
Each county’s Trustee does: the Metropolitan Trustee for Nashville and Davidson County, the Shelby County Trustee and the Knox County Trustee. If taxes are behind on a house you want to sell, they’re typically paid from the proceeds at closing, and we’ll factor what’s owed into your offer.
