Quick Answer: Yes, you can Sell Your House With Back Taxes in Memphis, TN — and it can happen fast. A cash buyer like Spencer Buys Houses will make you an offer, close in days, and the back taxes get paid out of the sale proceeds at closing. You walk away clean, no auction, no foreclosure.
She Owed Back Taxes on Two Houses in Memphis — We Helped Her Sell and Walk Away Clean
Can you sell a house with back taxes in Memphis? Yes. If you owe delinquent property taxes to Shelby County, you can still sell your home for cash. The back taxes are simply deducted from the sale price at closing and paid directly to the county. This stops the tax sale, clears your debt, and lets you keep the remaining cash—even if the auction is only days away.
The Reality of Facing a Shelby County Tax Sale
If you’re behind on taxes in Memphis, you aren’t “stuck,” and you certainly aren’t alone. We recently worked with a local homeowner who found herself in a nightmare scenario: she was facing a tax sale on two properties simultaneously.
She didn’t have months to wait for a buyer to get a mortgage. She had days before the county moved in.
The Problem: Two Houses, Two Tax Bills, One Ticking Clock
The first property was a secondary home on University Avenue. Between that and her primary residence, the delinquent bills had stacked up to a point where the “Redemption Period” felt like a distant dream.
In Memphis, a tax sale isn’t like a bank foreclosure—it’s faster. Once that gavel falls at the auction, the cost to get your house back skyrockets. She reached out to us because she needed a way to stop the tax sale without having to dig into savings she didn’t have.
A real cash home sale story — Memphis, TN 38127
If you need to sell your house with back taxes in Memphis, TN, you are not alone — and you are not out of options. One Memphis homeowner came to us facing a tax sale on two properties at the same time. She didn’t have months to figure it out. She had days. Here’s exactly what happened, and what you can do if you’re in the same spot.
She Was About to Lose Two Memphis Properties to a Tax Sale
The first property was on University Avenue — a secondary home she’d held onto for years but no longer lived in full-time. Back taxes had stacked up, and Shelby County was moving toward a tax sale in Memphis. At the same time, her primary residence had the same problem.
Two houses. Two delinquent tax bills. One ticking clock.
A tax sale in Memphis is not the same as a traditional foreclosure, but the result is identical — you lose the property. The county lists it, puts it up for auction, and sells it to satisfy the unpaid taxes. Once it hits the auction block, getting it back is extremely expensive and often impossible. She needed to stop the tax sale in Memphis before that happened.
She reached out to Spencer Buys Houses.
How We Helped Her Sell Her House With Back Taxes in Memphis, TN
Spencer came out to the University Avenue property, looked it over, and made a cash offer — no inspection contingencies, no financing delays, no real estate agent fees.
Within a few days, they were sitting at the closing table.
At closing, the back taxes on University Avenue were paid directly from the sale proceeds. She didn’t have to come up with the money up front. The title company handled it. She walked out with cash — and used part of it to get current on the taxes at her primary residence, too.
Two tax problems. One cash sale. Both solved.
That’s what it looks like when cash home buyers in Memphis actually do their job right.
We Gave Her Time — No Rush, No Pressure
After the sale closed, she needed extra time to clear out her belongings. That’s fine. We’re not a hedge fund flipping houses. We’re a local Memphis operation, and we know that real people live in these homes.
She got the time she needed. Moved out on her schedule. Left Memphis with cash in hand, both properties off the delinquent tax rolls, and a situation that had been crushing her — finally resolved.
That’s the goal. Not just buying a house. Actually helping.
What Is a Tax Sale in Memphis — and How Do You Avoid It?
If you’re behind on property taxes in Memphis or Shelby County, here’s the short version of what you’re dealing with:
- Tax sales move fast. Once the county flags your property, the window to act is short.
- Redemption is expensive. After the auction, you may be able to redeem your property — but the cost is steep, and the timeline is tight.
- Selling for cash is the fastest way to avoid tax foreclosure in Memphis. A cash buyer can close in 7–14 days. A traditional listing can take 60–90 days minimum.
- Back taxes get paid at closing. You don’t need cash on hand. The taxes come out of the sale proceeds automatically.
The fastest way to stop a tax sale in Memphis, TN, is to sell before the auction date. If you’re inside the window, a cash buyer is almost always your best move.
Sell Your House With Back Taxes in Memphis, TN — We Buy As-Is, Fast
We are cash home buyers in Memphis, and we buy houses in any condition, any situation, across every zip code — including 38127, 38128, 38116, and all of Shelby County.
Here’s how it works:
1. You call or text us. We listen. No judgment, no pressure.
2. We come to see the property. Usually within 24 hours.
3. We make a cash offer. No fees, no commissions, no repairs needed.
4. We close fast. Often in 7–14 days, sometimes sooner if the clock is ticking.
5. Taxes get paid at closing. You walk away clean.
If you need to sell your house fast in Memphis 38127 — or anywhere in the metro — don’t wait until the county decides for you.
Call or text Spencer to get your cash offer → Sell Your House With Back Taxes in Memphis, TN
Or fill out the quick form at SpencerBuysHouses.com and get a no-obligation offer within 24 hours.
Memphis. Fast. Cash. Done.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell my house if I owe back taxes in Memphis?
Yes. Owing back taxes does not prevent you from selling your home. In fact, selling is often the best way to resolve the debt. When you close with a cash buyer, the back taxes are paid directly from your sale proceeds at the closing table. You don’t need cash upfront — the sale takes care of it.
How fast can I sell my house to avoid a tax sale?
If you work with a cash buyer, you can close in as little as 7–14 days. Traditional listings take 60–90+ days and often can’t move fast enough to beat an auction deadline. If your property has already been listed for tax sale in Memphis, contact a cash buyer immediately — time is the one thing you can’t get back.
What happens if I don’t pay property taxes in Memphis?
If you stop paying property taxes in Shelby County, the county will eventually list your property for a tax sale. The property gets auctioned to satisfy the unpaid debt. You lose ownership. Depending on the timeline, you may have a redemption period — but it’s expensive and time-sensitive. The best move is to act before the auction, not after.
Will a cash buyer pay my back taxes?
Not exactly — the back taxes are paid at closing out of your sale proceeds. So if you owe $8,000 in back taxes and we buy the house for $80,000, the title company pays the $8,000 to the county at closing, and you receive the rest. You don’t write a check. It’s handled automatically in the transaction.
How do I stop a tax sale in Memphis, TN?
The most reliable way to stop a tax sale in Memphis is to either pay the delinquent taxes in full or sell the property before the auction date. Selling for cash is often the fastest and most practical option — especially if you can’t pay the taxes out of pocket. A cash buyer can close quickly enough to beat most auction deadlines. Call Spencer Buys Houses as soon as possible if your property has been listed.
Spencer Shadrach
Founder, Spencer Buys Houses — Memphis, TN
Spencer Shadrach is a Memphis-based investor and property manager specializing in purchasing occupied rental properties. With 10+ years of experience and over 200 single-family transactions closed across the Mid-South, Spencer focuses on stabilized tenant outcomes and helping “tired landlords” exit the market with ease. SpencerBuysHouses.com