FAQ

None. Contacting Knoxville We Buy Houses is free and carries zero obligation. You look at options, then take them or leave them. No listing contract. No pressure.

We can buy with cash when the numbers work — but all-cash is often a deep discount because the buyer must rehab, hold, and raise money. When you’re open to fair terms (or we take over payments on a workable loan), we can usually structure a better net for you than a fire-sale cash price. Think of many terms deals as a delayed cash sale: you get paid out over time at terms that fit your situation. If you truly must have every dollar the day you close, say so — we’ll tell you honestly whether cash is realistic.

If you must cash out fully at closing to buy your next home, a pure terms sale may not fit. Options we can still discuss: a cash purchase (usually at a discount), a hybrid (some cash now + balance later), or — if you have strong equity — refinancing to pull cash, then we buy and cover the new payment until you’re fully cashed out later. We’ll map what actually works for your numbers, not a one-size script.

We’re not paid a Realtor commission by you. Our compensation comes from how we buy and exit the property — for example the spread between what we pay you and what a future occupant or buyer pays us, cash flow while we hold it, and backend profit when the property is refinanced or sold. We also take on repairs, vacancy, and risk after we buy. That’s why we can often pay your closing costs and still make the deal work without “stealing” the house — if price and terms are fair to both sides.

It depends on the house and the deal. Common paths: place a carefully screened occupant (including tenant-buyers who need time to qualify for a bank loan), hold and manage it, renovate and resell, or wholesale to another investor. You don’t manage any of that. After closing, house-related responsibility is ours — you’re not fielding showings, repairs, or random buyer calls.

Yes. We buy homes in many conditions — outdated, damaged, full of belongings, tenant-occupied, or needing major work. When we buy, you typically skip the traditional home-inspector punch list that kills retail deals. Leave what you don’t want; take what you do. After we close, repairs are our problem, not yours.

In most of our purchases we pay the closing costs — often several thousand dollars — so you’re not writing a big check at the table. Taxes and prorations are handled fairly at closing (if taxes aren’t escrowed, we may prorate the current year). We’ll spell this out clearly before you sign anything.

You can — and some sellers should, especially if they need full retail cash and can wait. A listing usually means commission (often around 6%), showings, inspections, repairs, and no guarantee it sells. We buy the house (or structure a sale) ourselves: often as-is, frequently with our side covering closing costs, on a timeline you help set — sometimes while you still need a little time to move. If you need top retail cash and time isn’t urgent, list it. If you want speed, certainty, and less hassle, talk to us. Many sellers list for 90 days and keep our number if it doesn’t sell.

Yes, that’s common. Depending on balance, payments, and equity we may: pay cash and pay off the loan; take the property subject-to the existing financing (loan stays in place while we make the payments and you transfer ownership per the contract); or use other creative structures. We’ll need honest mortgage details to see what fits — without that, no serious buyer can structure a real offer.

That’s a fair concern. Some structures keep the existing loan in place for a period while we make the payments and plan a refinance or sale to cash it out. Other structures aim to get the loan paid off or replaced sooner. If “loan must be gone on day one” is non-negotiable, say so up front — we’ll only pursue paths that can meet that, or tell you we can’t. We won’t hide how title and debt work; closings are done with a real estate attorney.

Most mortgages have language that allows a lender to call a loan due if title transfers without approval. In practice, when payments stay current, lenders rarely accelerate — but it is possible. We discuss this openly, use proper legal documents, and structure deals with that risk in mind. If you’re not comfortable after a clear explanation, you shouldn’t do the deal. Ask every question before you sign.

Healthy skepticism is smart. We close with an attorney, put agreements in writing, and we put our money and reputation on the line (including closing costs we typically pay). You should feel comfortable after we talk and before you sign. If you don’t, don’t sell to us. Call (865) 401-9107, ask anything, and check how we communicate — clear beats clever.

When terms fit and title is clear, we can often close in a matter of days (sometimes as little as a few business days; many deals land around a week or so). Need more time for probate, a move, or school calendars? You help set the date. Speed is a feature when you want it — not a forced rush when you don’t.

Not always. Many sellers need time to move. When the structure allows, we can often close while you remain briefly after closing under agreed terms. We’re not moving our furniture in the afternoon you sign. This flexibility is one reason people choose us over a rigid retail buyer.

It depends on the structure and your full financial picture. On many terms or subject-to style purchases, your existing loan may still report until it’s paid off, while you may also receive payments or relief from the house payment — documentation at closing matters. Many sellers successfully buy another home afterward; underwriters look at the whole file. We’re not your lender or tax advisor — we’ll explain the structure, and you should confirm with your loan officer or CPA when financing a new purchase.

Because the only honest way to build options is around your real debt and payment. Cash payoff, payment coverage, and equity math all start there. If the only path you’ll accept is “full retail cash with no information,” we probably aren’t the right buyer — and that’s okay. Flexible sellers who share the basics get real options faster.

Those are situations we see often in East Tennessee. Inherited and probate timelines, foreclosure deadlines, and tenant-occupied homes can all be worked through with the right structure and calendar. Tell us where you are in the process — the earlier we talk, the more options you usually have.

Cash = you get paid (and the loan is typically paid off) at closing, usually at a price that works for a cash investor. Terms = we agree on price and how you’re paid over time (and/or we cover an existing payment) until you’re cashed out later. Ron LeGrand’s system calls many of these delayed cash sales: you may net more than a discounted cash flip because there’s no commission, we often pay closing costs, and you skip repair/inspection drama — if you can wait for part or all of the money. We’ll show both styles when they apply.

It’s negotiable. Some sellers want a shorter balloon; others prefer longer income. We agree on something that fits both sides before you commit. Nothing is “gotcha” fine print after a handshake — it goes in the contract.

No. We are local real estate investors / creative home buyers. We purchase or structure a sale directly with you — no required MLS listing, no open houses, and no agent commission when you sell to us.

Knoxville and greater East Tennessee — including Maryville, Alcoa, Farragut, Powell, Oak Ridge, Lenoir City, Sevierville, Clinton, Fountain City, Bearden, Halls, and nearby communities. If you’re close and not sure, call (865) 401-9107 and ask.

Share your address and a few details on our form (or call (865) 401-9107). We’ll review the property, talk through cash vs. creative options, and if it makes sense set a time to see the house. Before you sign anything you should understand price, timing, and how you get paid. Simple, clear, no obligation to start.