Are Tennessee tax sales a good opportunity?

Tennessee sells redeemable tax deeds under Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, Parts 25-27 (esp. §§ 67-5-2501, 67-5-2701). Whether a specific sale is a good opportunity depends on the parcels listed, the competition at that county's sale, and your max number — which is why investors research the list, not the headline.

Tennessee Tax Sales: What Investors Need to Know This Season

Q: How do I get notified about Tennessee tax sales?

Counties publish sale lists on their own schedules — No fixed statewide date; sales follow a delinquent-tax suit in Chancery Court and are scheduled by each county / Clerk and Master, roughly annually and often in the fall LienToDeed watches those publications and alerts members when new Tennessee properties are listed.

Blog / State spotlights

Tennessee tax sales: the season preview

Quick answerTennessee sells redeemable tax deeds for unpaid property taxes. Lien buyers can earn 12% per annum on the full purchase price, accruing from the date the purchaser pays the clerk until a motion to redeem is filed (Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-5-2701(b)). Redemption: From entry of the order confirming the sale, tiered by length of delinquency (§ 67-5-2701(a)): 1 year if delinquency is 5 years or less; 180 days if more than 5 but less than 8 years; 90 days if 8 years or more; 30 days for property shown to be vacant/abandoned (or qualifying vacant commercial structures) Sales: No fixed statewide date; sales follow a delinquent-tax suit in Chancery Court and are scheduled by each county / Clerk and Master, roughly annually and often in the fall Governing law: Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Chapter 5, Parts 25-27 (esp. §§ 67-5-2501, 67-5-2701).

What's actually for sale

Tennessee sells redeemable tax deeds. Price bid-up, court-ordered sale of the land itself — no lien certificates are sold. The purchaser's interest is on the entire bid (including any overbid), unlike capped-interest states, and the clerk issues a tax deed only after the redemption period expires unredeemed.

The rate that decides your return

12% per annum on the full purchase price, accruing from the date the purchaser pays the clerk until a motion to redeem is filed (Tenn. Code Ann. § 67-5-2701(b))

The clock you're investing against

Sale schedule: No fixed statewide date; sales follow a delinquent-tax suit in Chancery Court and are scheduled by each county / Clerk and Master, roughly annually and often in the fall

Redemption: From entry of the order confirming the sale, tiered by length of delinquency (§ 67-5-2701(a)): 1 year if delinquency is 5 years or less; 180 days if more than 5 but less than 8 years; 90 days if 8 years or more; 30 days for property shown to be vacant/abandoned (or qualifying vacant commercial structures)

Where the sales happen

GovEase (counties that sell online), mostly in-person / county-specific (Chancery Court / Clerk and Master sales in many counties). Lists post on the county's schedule, change as owners redeem, and registration typically closes before sale day — the investors who see the list first set the market.

Watch Tennessee lists for me

LienToDeed scans the published lists and texts you when new Tennessee properties post — scored, with a max bid or max rate.

Get Tennessee alerts

Deep dives: Tennessee laws · Tennessee investing guide · Tennessee sale calendar. Law verified 2026-10-30.