The Call Margaret Didn't Expect
Margaret bought the house on 12th Street for her parents years ago. It made sense at the time — a place for them, close to family, in a neighborhood they knew. She paid for it. She kept up the bills. For a long time, it worked. But her parents no longer needed it. And now Margaret was sitting with a property she didn't live in, didn't want to manage, and couldn't easily sell. The house had been lived in hard. Years of deferred maintenance had added up. But the real problem was the pool — cracked, unusable, and sitting in the backyard like an expensive liability. To sell it on the market, she'd either need to repair it or fill it in. Neither was cheap. Neither was fast. She wasn't interested in a renovation project. She wasn't interested in a six-month listing process. She just wanted out — quickly, cleanly, and for cash. "I didn't need top dollar," she said. "I just needed it done."
The Problem With the Pool
A cracked, non-functioning pool in Memphis isn't just an eyesore. It's a liability that shows up immediately in any inspection. Buyers either walk away or come in with a lowball offer and a demand to remediate it before closing. Repairing a pool in Memphis can run $15,000–$25,000. Filling it in and landscaping over it is cheaper — but still thousands of dollars and weeks of work. Margaret had no interest in managing a pool project from a distance. She wasn't local. She wasn't a contractor. And she wasn't going to sink more money into a house she'd already been carrying for years. She called an agent anyway. The conversation went about how she expected. "You'll need to address the pool before we can list it at full value." That's when she found Spencer Buys Houses.
The Call That Changed Everything
She filled out the form online at 11 PM on a Saturday. Spencer called her the next morning — Sunday — before she left for the airport. "He didn't try to talk me into anything," she said. "He just asked me questions. What's the situation? What do you need? What's your timeline?" Spencer walked through the property himself that week. The offer came 24 hours later. The offer was $120,000 cash. When Spencer walked her through the math — $30,000 in repairs minimum, agent commissions, four months of carrying costs — the cash offer started looking a lot different. She accepted. They closed three weeks later through Bradsher, Albert & Stuart title company in Memphis. Margaret never had to fly back to Tennessee. "I cried on the phone when they told me it was done," she said. "Not because of the money. Just the relief."
Your 3 Options (No Sugarcoating)
- Option 1: List With a Realtor Best case: your house is updated, the market is hot, and you have 60–90 days. You might get top dollar. Reality for most Memphis sellers: repairs required, commissions take 5–6%, no guarantee it sells.
- Option 2: For Sale By Owner Less than 10% of FSBO sellers get their asking price. Most end up listing with an agent anyway after months of frustration.
- Option 3: Sell to a Cash Buyer No repairs. No agent. No waiting. Direct offer, close in as little as 7 days. This is the option for people who actually need to sell.
The Math Most People Get Wrong
Sale Price $155,000 $120,000 Repairs before listing -$30,000 $0 Agent commission (6%) -$9,300 $0 Closing costs -$3,100 $0 Carrying costs (4 mo) -$4,800 $0 Net to seller $107,800 $120,000What Kinds of Houses Does Spencer Buy?
Houses that need major repairs — roof, foundation, HVAC, electrical Inherited properties and estate sales Divorce situations Behind on mortgage or taxes Rentals with difficult tenants or vacant and deteriorating Fire damage, water damage, mold Houses that fell out of contract after inspectionFrequently Asked Questions
Do I need to clean or fix anything first?
No. Leave whatever you don't want. We handle all of it.
Is the offer obligation-free?
Yes. We give you a number, show you the math, and you decide. No pressure.
How do I know this is legit?
4.9 stars, 113 Google reviews, BBB accredited, licensed title company. Look us up before you call.
What if I'm facing foreclosure?
We've helped many Memphis homeowners in foreclosure. If there's equity, a cash sale can pay off what you owe and put money in your pocket.
Can you buy with tenants in place?
Yes. We buy occupied rentals regularly.
📞 SpencerBuysHouses.com — Offer in 24 hours. Close in 7 days.