Bradley County, Tennessee
Sell your land in Cleveland for cash
Parcel Buyers buys vacant lots for cash in Cleveland, including city parcels where sewer availability determines whether new construction may use septic. You get a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours, and closings run through an independent title company, typically in about 10 days, with no fees or commissions.
By Parcel Buyers · · Lot figures from the 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data · How we made this page
Quick answers
- Who buys land for cash in Cleveland?
- Parcel Buyers is a direct land buyer that makes written, no-obligation cash offers on vacant lots and acreage in Cleveland, Bradley County, usually within 24 hours. Sales close through an independent title company, typically in about 10 days, with no fees or commissions to the seller.
- What did vacant lots in Cleveland sell for in 2025?
- In 2025, vacant lots in Cleveland sold for a median of $72,500 across 40 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $39,500 to $82,400.
- How many vacant lots are in Cleveland?
- The 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data lists 1,802 vacant residential lots in Cleveland; 17% are standard city lots, and the median lot is 0.28 acre.
- How is a cash offer for land in Cleveland set?
- We start from recent sales of similar lots nearby, like the 2025 prices on this page, then adjust for water and sewer, road access, flood zone, lot size and any title issues, and for the time and cost of reselling. You get one written number, not a range.
- How do I know a land buyer in Cleveland is legitimate?
- A real buyer closes through an independent, licensed title company and never asks you to pay anything up front. We never charge sellers a fee, deposit or closing-cost advance, and the title company pays you by check or wire at closing.
- Who is buying lots in Cleveland?
- In 2025, companies bought 38% of the vacant lots that sold in Cleveland, including 20% bought by homebuilders. Individuals bought the rest.
Local data
Cleveland land at a glance
Tax-roll figures cover parcels on the Bradley County roll whose community code is Cleveland in Bradley County. Local rules and services are sourced below.
| Vacant residential lots | 1,802 parcels classified vacant residential on the 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data [1] |
|---|---|
| Most common lot size | Standard city lot (7,000–9,000 sq ft): 17% of vacant lots; next, quarter-acre lot at 16%. Median lot: 0.28 acre (12,090 sq ft). [1] |
| Typical appraised value | $32,000 median appraised value for a vacant lot; the middle half fall between $15,000 and $56,200 [1] |
| Recent lot sale prices | $72,500 median across 40 arm's-length sales of vacant lots in Cleveland (Jan 2025–Dec 2025); the middle half sold for $39,500–$82,400 [1] |
| Who bought lots in 2025 | Companies made 38% of those purchases, including 20% by homebuilders; individuals made the rest [1] |
| Owners who live elsewhere | 9% of vacant lots have an owner mailing address outside Tennessee (most often GA, FL, AZ) [1] |
| Incorporated city | Cleveland is an incorporated city wholly inside Bradley County. The charter places the city in that county, and both the municipal directory and the Census place file list Bradley County alone. It was incorporated on November 1, 1842. [2],[3],[4] |
| What these lot counts cover | These figures cover parcels whose roll community code is Cleveland. City Development and Engineering administers permits, zoning, and floodplain rules inside city limits; the roll code is the statistical scope, not proof that a parcel is inside the boundary. [6],[1] |
| City building permits | Inside the city limits, the Building Division reviews plans and issues permits. Houses follow the 2018 International Residential Code. One- and two-family homes, and townhomes under five units, do not need residential fire sprinklers. [5],[6] |
| Water, sewer, and electric | Cleveland Utilities provides water, sewer, and electric service. As of July 1, 2026, a 5/8-inch water access fee is $2,200, and a new sewer hookup adds a $2,200 capacity fee per home-sized unit, up to 150 gallons a day. [7],[8] |
| Sewer first, septic if not | City code says septic tanks shall not be used for new buildings where sanitary sewers are available. The utility decides if sewer is available. If it is not, a new conventional septic permit from the state is $400, up to 1,000 gallons a day. [9],[10] |
| City streets, not an association | Public Works paves and maintains all city streets, including potholes, sweeping twice a month, and snow removal. Cutting a city street requires a permit. The base fee is $265 for an opening of 48 square feet or less. [11] |
| County tax and a city bill | The 2026 county rate is $1.0772 per $100 of assessed value, due the last day of February. Interest of 1.5 percent a month starts March 1. City tax is a separate bill paid to the city clerk. The assessor sets the appraisal, then the assessment. [13],[12],[14],[16] |
| Creek and drinking water | City crews clean South Mouse Creek twice a year. Drinking water is drawn from the Hiwassee River and Waterville Springs. Wastewater from the city is treated at a plant on the Hiwassee and returned to the river downstream. [19],[7] |
| Lee University | Lee University reports a 120-acre campus at 1120 North Ocoee Street in Cleveland and enrollment of more than 3,700 students. Those campus facts do not describe conditions on a particular vacant lot. [20] |
Pricing
What is a lot in Cleveland worth?
In 2025, vacant lots in Cleveland sold for a median of $72,500 across 40 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $39,500 to $82,400. [1]
These are open-market sale prices. A direct cash offer is usually lower, because a cash buyer closes in days and takes on the time and cost of reselling the lot.
What moves the price in Cleveland
Published access fees versus a septic permit
Cleveland Utilities lists a $2,200 access fee for a 5/8-inch water connection and a $2,200 wastewater capacity fee for one home-sized unit, both effective July 1, 2026. One wastewater unit covers design flow up to 150 gallons a day. City code says septic tanks shall not be used for new buildings where sanitary sewers are available, and the utility decides availability. Where sewer is not available, the state requires a septic construction permit. A new conventional system is $400 for up to 1,000 gallons a day, and state review must be completed within 45 days of the date the application was submitted. Those published charges do not prove that either utility is available at a specific lot. We check utilities, access and title on every parcel before offering. [8],[9],[10]
A standard city lot is the common size
The most common vacant residential lot here is a standard city lot. That size is 17% of the 1,802 vacant residential lots, and the median lot is 0.28 acres, about 12,090 square feet. These are assessment-roll groupings, not proof that a parcel fronts a maintained street or has room for a house. Public Works says it paves and maintains all city streets, sweeps them twice a month, and handles potholes and snow removal. Cutting a city street for a new line requires a Public Works permit; the base fee is $265 for an opening of 48 square feet or less. The median lot size does not show frontage or a utility path; we check utilities, access and title on every parcel before offering. [11],[1]
2025 lot sales are a range, not one price
Those 2025 lot sales show a spread, not one price a seller should expect. The set has 40 warranty-deed sales of lots that were vacant when sold, one parcel per deed, for $1,000 or more. The median was $72,500, and the middle half sold for $39,500–$82,400. The roll keeps only the most recent accepted sale on each parcel, so this is not every sale in 2025, and the median is not an exact market price. The median appraisal is $32,000, and the middle half of appraisals runs $15,000–$56,200. That figure is the assessor's market appraisal, not the taxable assessment the trustee bills. A city tap, a missing sewer line, or a street that still needs work can move a cash offer off that median. [16],[1]
What it costs to hold an empty lot
Holding an empty lot means checking both the county tax bill and the separate city tax bill. The 2026 county rate is $1.0772 per $100 of assessed value. Bills go out in October and must be paid by the last day of February. The trustee bills the assessed value, not the full appraisal the assessor sets first. City tax is paid to the city clerk. The stormwater utility bases its charge on measured impervious surface, using 3,830 square feet as one single-family unit, and places the charge on the utility bill. That rule does not establish the charge for a specific vacant parcel, so the current bill should be checked. Public Works maintains city streets. [13],[12],[14],[16],[18],[11]
Common situations
Selling land in Cleveland in these situations
The lot has no sewer connection yet
Yes. You can sell a lot that has no sewer connection yet. We buy vacant lots with no water, sewer, or road work. Inside the city, a new house is not supposed to use a septic tank where sewer is available, and the utility makes that call. A lot still waiting on a line is a different cost from a lot that can pay the $2,200 water access fee and the $2,200 sewer capacity fee. If sewer is truly unavailable, the state septic permit is the build path, starting at $400 for a conventional system. The only contingency on our offer is a land inspection. If the inspection fails, it costs the seller nothing. [9],[8],[10]
You live outside Tennessee
Yes. You can sell if you live in another state and have never stood on the lot. 9% of vacant-lot owners have a mailing address outside Tennessee. Georgia mailing addresses are the largest out-of-state group, ahead of Florida. You can sign electronically, close by mail through an independent licensed title company, and be paid by check or wire. If a tax bill or another lien is still open, it can be paid from the sale proceeds at closing, with your consent. You do not have to travel here to sign. [1]
The tax bill or a lien is behind
Yes. You can sell if the tax bill or a lien is behind. Unpaid property taxes stay with the land. County interest of 1.5 percent a month starts on March 1. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master collects delinquent taxes for the county and for the city. If a parcel is sold for taxes, that sale is a public auction. The county's tax questions say the buyer cannot take possession until one year after the court confirms the sale, and the county issues a deed at the end of that redemption period. A sale before then lets the title company pay the back taxes from the proceeds, with your consent. [12],[15]
Step by step
How do I sell my land in Cleveland?
From your first message to money in hand, with nothing left out. Requesting an offer costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
See every detail of the process-
Tell us about your land
Fill out the short form (about 60 seconds) or email us. A land specialist reaches out to confirm the details, usually the same business day.
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Get your cash offer within 24 hours
We review the property and send a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. It is a real number, not a range. Take it or leave it, with no pressure either way.
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Sign electronically
If you accept, everyone signs the purchase agreement electronically. There is nothing to print or mail at this stage.
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We inspect, the title company verifies
Our team inspects the land and an independent title company runs a title search for liens or taxes owed. If the land does not pass inspection, you are never charged anything.
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Close and get paid
The title company prepares the closing documents for notarization and issues your funds by standard check, overnight check, or wire transfer. A typical sale closes in 10 days.
Questions
Selling land in Cleveland: common questions
Can I sell a lot that has no sewer line?
Yes. We buy vacant lots with no water, sewer, or road work. City code bars septic tanks for new buildings where sanitary sewer is available, and the utility decides whether a line is available. A missing line changes what a builder must budget, either the published tap fees or a state septic permit. We look at utilities, access, and title before we offer.
What does an empty lot cost to hold each year?
The county bill for 2026 uses $1.0772 per $100 of assessed value and is due by the last day of February. That rate is on the assessment, not on the full appraisal. The city sends its own tax bill, paid at the city clerk. The stormwater utility bases its charge on measured impervious surface and places it on the utility bill, so check the current bill for the parcel rather than assume a vacant-lot charge.
Do I need a survey before I sell my lot?
No. A new survey is not a condition of our cash offer. The only contingency is our land inspection, and a failed inspection costs the seller nothing. The deed is recorded with the Bradley County Register of Deeds, which keeps images of deeds and plats filed for county land records. A later house is a different step: the city wants plans before it issues a building permit.
Who permits a new house on a vacant lot?
The city Building Division permits a new house inside the city limits. It reviews plans and inspects the work under the 2018 International Residential Code, amended so one- and two-family homes do not need residential fire sprinklers. Development and Engineering also administers zoning and floodplain rules. Sewer is required for a new building when the utility says it is available. Where it is not, the state permits the septic system.
What if the county tax bill is late?
Interest of 1.5 percent a month is added on the first of each month starting March 1. The tax stays on the land. The Chancery Court Clerk and Master then collects delinquent county and city taxes. A tax sale is a public auction of parcels with delinquent taxes. The county says a buyer cannot take possession until one year after the confirmation of sale is filed. You can still sell before then, and back taxes can be paid from the closing proceeds with your consent.
Owner resources
Guides for your situation
- How Cash Land Buyers Price Offers
A cash-land offer may start with verified sales of land with similar use, then adjust those sales for meaningful differences.[1] Buyers may also account for access, utilities, legal use, size, shape, flood and soil questions, title issues, demand, and costs and risk they will carry. No universal assessed-value percentage applies. Compare each written offer by expected net proceeds, contingencies, seller work, and timing—not one asking price or headline number.
- Can You Sell Land With a Lien?
Yes. Land with a lien can often be sold, but signing a deed does not by itself erase a valid claim. The lien may need to be paid, released, discharged, or otherwise resolved under the law that applies. With the seller's consent, an approved payoff can come from sale proceeds at closing. If the balance or lien is wrong, dispute it before closing and require proof of the cure.
- Can You Build on a Vacant Lot?
Maybe. A vacant lot is buildable only if the proposed use fits the rules that apply to that parcel and the site can satisfy access, utility, environmental, and permit requirements. Start with the local planning or zoning office, confirm that the parcel is a legal lot, and get a written parcel-specific answer. A zoning label or tax parcel number alone is not approval to build.[1][2]
More places in Bradley County
Your written offer
Get your cash offer
Four short steps, about 60 seconds. We review your property and send a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. You can take it or leave it.
What happens after you send this
- A land specialist reaches out, usually the same business day, to confirm the details.
- You get a written cash offer within 24 hours: a real number, not a range.
- You decide. Requesting an offer costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
You will never be asked to pay us anything. No deposit, no processing fee, no closing-cost advance.
Nearby areas we buy
- Bradley County
6,190 vacant lots countywide
- Marion County
6,206 vacant lots countywide
- Sequatchie County
4,076 vacant lots countywide
How we made this page
Parcel Buyers is a land-buying company based in Florida. We buy vacant land directly from owners and publish these local pages so owners can see what land in their area is doing before they sell, to us or anyone else. We count the tax-roll figures ourselves from state data, take local rules and fees from the official sources listed below, and use AI tools to help research and draft the text. Every number links to its source, and we update the page when the data changes.
Method and sources
Parcel and assessment figures cover parcels on the Bradley County roll whose community code is Cleveland. Source [1] is our own count of the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury's county parcel and assessment files (assessment data dated August 28, 2026): a vacant lot is a residential parcel with no buildings, mobile home or improvement value; values are the county assessor's appraised (market) value; sale prices count only 2025 warranty-deed sales of a single lot that was vacant when it sold, at $1,000 or more, with bulk deeds and development-land deals removed. Treat medians as a guide to recent recorded amounts, not as an offer or an appraisal. Page updated October 2, 2026.
- [1] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury (data); Parcel Buyers (analysis), Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Office of Local Government parcel and assessment data (accessed 2026-10-01)
- [2] U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census national place codes (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [3] University of Tennessee MTAS, Charter of the City of Cleveland (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [4] University of Tennessee MTAS, Cleveland municipal directory (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [5] City of Cleveland, Building Division (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [6] City of Cleveland, Development and Engineering Services (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [7] Cleveland Utilities, About Cleveland Utilities (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [8] Cleveland Utilities, Water and sewer rates workbook, August 1, 2026 (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [9] University of Tennessee MTAS, Cleveland municipal code, title 18, water and sewers (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [10] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Septic system construction permit (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [11] City of Cleveland Public Works, Streets (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [12] Bradley County Trustee, 2026 property tax frequently asked questions (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [13] Bradley County Trustee, 2026 tax rates per $100 of assessed value (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [14] Bradley County, Bradley County Trustee (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [15] Bradley County, Online payments and delinquent taxes (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [16] Bradley County Assessor of Property, About the Assessor of Property (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [17] Bradley County, Register of Deeds (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [18] City of Cleveland, Stormwater utility frequently asked questions (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [19] City of Cleveland, Stormwater events and South Mouse Creek cleanups (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [20] Lee University, About Lee University (accessed 2026-10-02)