Selling an inherited home in Memphis is not like a normal home sale. There’s no urgency or pressure from a lender. No moving deadline. Just a person dealing with loss, making big decisions they never planned for, on a timeline that’s entirely their own. We bought a home on McCrory Ave in Highland Heights, Memphis — and the story behind that deal is one of the most human ones we’ve been part of.
The Location: Highland Heights, Memphis, TN 38122
Highland Heights is one of Memphis’s established older neighborhoods, sitting between Berclair and the University of Memphis area in zip code 38122. It’s a neighborhood full of brick homes built in the mid-1900s — solid construction, mature trees, long-time families. This particular house had been in a family for decades. When the owner passed, it went to her daughter.
She Needed Time. We Gave Her Time.
The woman who inherited the home called us, but she wasn’t ready to make a decision. She was still grieving. She had questions. She wasn’t sure what she wanted to do. A lot of buyers would have pushed. Weekly follow-up calls. Lowball offers with “limited time” pressure. That’s not how we work. We stayed in touch when she wanted to talk. We answered her questions. When she went quiet for a few weeks, we let her breathe. We didn’t show up at her door. Nine months after that first conversation, she called and said she was ready. We moved quickly once she made that decision. Papers signed. Closed fast. Exactly the way she wanted it.
What the House Looked Like
She left the home as-is. That’s not a complaint — that’s just the reality of inheriting a property. Life doesn’t stop to keep a house market-ready.
What the House Looked Like
She left the home as-is. That’s not a complaint — that’s just the reality of inheriting a property. Life doesn’t stop to keep a house market-ready.
The living room had the original chandelier still hanging — gold-toned, been in the same spot for thirty years. The carpet was worn. Boxes and belongings were scattered around. But the walls were straight, the crown molding was intact, and the bones were solid.
The kitchen told a harder story. Damaged walls, original appliances, floor with layers of history. Not a paint-and-list situation — a full gut and rebuild.
The back room stopped us — in a good way. Knotty pine ceiling and walls. Checkerboard tile floor. White curtains still hanging. Brick accent wall. Original built-in corner cabinet. That room told you exactly who lived here and how long they’d been there.
The bedrooms had hardwood floors underneath — cleaner than expected. Solid structure, just needed care. The roof needed full replacement. That one issue makes a house unmortgageable — most lenders won’t approve a loan without a certain remaining roof lifespan. No mortgage means no retail buyer. The yard was completely overgrown. Normal when an heir lives elsewhere and is still working through the decision.
- Why She Didn’t List It on the MarketThe roof alone eliminated most buyers. A conventional mortgage won’t get approved on a home with a failing roof — that rules out FHA, VA, and most standard buyers before the first showing. Going through an agent still meant: 60–90 days of waiting, 5–6% in commissions, and inspector renegotiations on top of a discounted price.
- She didn’t want any of that. She wanted it done cleanly, on her terms. A cash sale made complete sense. No repairs before closing. No commissions. No inspection fights. She walked away with cash and didn’t manage a single contractor. — What Happens NextThe home in Highland Heights is now in the rehab pipeline:
- Full roof replacement (tear-off and re-roof)
- Kitchen gut and rebuild — cabinets, counters, appliances, flooring
- Bedroom floors refinished throughout
- Full yard cleanup and landscaping
- Paint throughout, new light fixtures, doors and trim
- HVAC, electrical, and plumbing systems review
If You’ve Inherited a Home in Memphis
You don’t have to figure everything out before you call. Most people haven’t. The first call is just a conversation. You tell us about the property. Nobody is going to push you into anything. If there are back taxes, liens, or title issues — Bradsher, Albert & Stuart, PLLC handles all of that at closing. You don’t sort it out in advance. Spencer Shadrach has been buying homes in Memphis and Shelby County for over 10 years. 400+ purchases. BBB A+. 4.9 stars from 113 verified reviews. SpencerBuysHouses.com | Memphis, TN | Cash offer in 24 hours | No repairs | Your timeline
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I sell an inherited house in Memphis without fixing anything? Yes. Spencer Buys Houses buys inherited properties in any condition — failing roof, full contents inside, overgrown yard, outdated systems. You don’t touch a thing before closing.
- Do I need to finish probate before selling an inherited house in Tennessee? If the home was only in the deceased’s name, you need Letters Testamentary from Shelby County Probate Court before you can legally transfer title. Once you have that authority, the sale can move forward.
- How long does it take to close?
Once you’re legally authorized and ready, most closings happen in 7 to 21 days. The timeline is yours — not ours. - What if other family members also have a claim to the property? Everyone with a legal interest must agree to the sale. That conversation needs to happen first. Spencer’s team has worked through multi-heir situations many times.
- What about all the stuff left in the house? Take what matters. Leave the rest. You are not expected to clear the house before closing.
- What if there are back taxes or liens? The title company identifies every lien, gets payoff figures, and distributes funds at closing. You receive whatever’s left after payoffs.