Tennessee
Sell your land in DeKalb County for cash
Parcel Buyers buys vacant lots and land for cash in DeKalb County, including land near Center Hill Lake, where a lot may need a state septic permit and a flood-map check before anyone can build. You get a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours. Closings run through an independent, licensed title company, typically about 10 days after the purchase agreement is signed, depending on title, 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 DeKalb County?
- Parcel Buyers is a direct land buyer that makes written, no-obligation cash offers on vacant lots and acreage in DeKalb County, Tennessee, 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 DeKalb County sell for in 2025?
- In 2025, vacant lots in DeKalb County sold for a median of $38,000 across 146 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $15,900 to $78,800.
- How many vacant lots are in DeKalb County?
- The 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data lists 6,265 vacant residential lots in DeKalb County; 14% are third-acre lots, and the median lot is 0.47 acre.
- How is a cash offer for land in DeKalb County 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 DeKalb County 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 DeKalb County?
- In 2025, companies bought 17% of the vacant lots that sold in DeKalb County, including 3% bought by homebuilders. Individuals bought the rest.
- What was the median recorded 2025 sale price by lot size in DeKalb County?
- The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in DeKalb County was $45,000 across 21 sales.
Local data
What is land in DeKalb County worth?
In 2025, vacant lots in DeKalb County sold for a median of $38,000 across 146 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $15,900 to $78,800. [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.
Recorded 2025 sale prices by lot size in DeKalb County
| Lot-size class | 2025 sales | 2025 median lot sale |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-estate (2-3 acres)70,000–139,999 sq ft | 21 | $45,000 |
| Half-acre lot19,000–23,999 sq ft | 14 | $30,800 |
| 5-acre ranchette210,000–279,999 sq ft | 11 | $150,000 |
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.
| Vacant residential lots | 6,265 parcels classified vacant residential on the 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data [1] |
|---|---|
| Most common lot size | Third-acre lot (13,000–16,000 sq ft): 14% of vacant lots; next, quarter-acre lot at 10%. Median lot: 0.47 acre (20,330 sq ft). [1] |
| Typical appraised value | $30,000 median appraised value for a vacant lot; the middle half fall between $12,000 and $60,000 [1] |
| Recent lot sale prices | $38,000 median across 146 arm's-length sales of vacant lots in DeKalb County (Jan 2025–Dec 2025); the middle half sold for $15,900–$78,800 [1] |
| Who bought lots in 2025 | Companies made 17% of those purchases, including 3% by homebuilders; individuals made the rest [1] |
| Owners who live elsewhere | 16% of vacant lots have an owner mailing address outside Tennessee (most often FL, IL, GA) [1] |
| Tax due and late interest | County taxes are due the first Monday in October and delinquent on March 1. Interest of 1.5% is added that day and on the first of each following month. [10],[11] |
| Residential assessment ratio | Residential and farm property is assessed at 25% of the assessor's appraised value. The county commission sets the tax rate. The trustee collects the bill. [7],[2] |
| No countywide zoning | The county says it does not have zoning at this time. It adopted the state building codes in January 2011. A residential building permit is $0.75 per square foot. [5],[6] |
| State septic permit fee | A new conventional septic permit costs $400 for up to 1,000 gallons a day, plus $100 for the construction inspection. Review must finish within 45 days. [15],[14] |
| Unincorporated flood map | FEMA's current effective flood map for the unincorporated county is dated February 14, 2025. A city map inside the county can show a different date. [17] |
| Greenbelt rollback years | Farm and forest rollback covers the prior three years. Open space covers five. The assessor calculates the taxes that were saved. It is not a penalty. [8] |
| Center Hill Dam | Center Hill Dam on the Caney Fork River created an 18,220-surface-acre reservoir spanning DeKalb, Putnam, Warren, and White counties. TWRA describes rocky shorelines surrounded by steep ridges. [20] |
| Water is not countywide | DeKalb Utility District serves parts of the county, not every lot. A building permit still needs a well or utility water, plus septic approval or sewer proof. [19],[6] |
| 2025 sale price by lot size | The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in DeKalb County was $45,000 across 21 sales. [1] |
Where we buy
Areas we cover in DeKalb County
- Holiday Haven
533vacant lots
- Lakeview Mountain Estates
485vacant lots
- Smithville
339vacant lots · 2025 median lot sale $60,000
- Center Hill Shores
266vacant lots
These pages cover the largest lot markets in DeKalb County. We buy land anywhere else in the county too: send the parcel details through the form below.
Selling here
How selling land works in DeKalb County
When the property tax bill is due
County property tax is due the first Monday in October and becomes delinquent on March 1. The trustee sends the tax statements and collects them. On March 1, interest of 1.5% is added, then again on the first of each month, until the bill goes to the delinquent tax attorney. The assessor does not set the rate or collect the tax. The county commission sets the rate. Residential and farm land is assessed at 25% of appraised value, so the bill uses that smaller amount. Values are reviewed every four years, as of January 1. The vacant residential roll has 6,265 parcels. The middle appraised value is $30,000, and the middle half runs $12,000–$60,000. That is appraised value, not the assessed amount. Among 146 qualifying 2025 warranty-deed lot sales, the middle recorded amount was $38,000 ($15,900–$78,800). Those are not every 2025 sale, and not an exact cash price. [3],[10],[11],[7],[2],[1]
What happens if the taxes stay unpaid
Unpaid property tax is collected through a delinquent tax suit and a public tax sale for cash. The court orders the land sold for cash, subject to the equity of redemption. That right lets an owner pay the taxes, interest, penalties, and costs and stop the sale. The usual redemption period is one year from the order confirming the sale, and it cannot run longer than one year. Five years of delinquency or less means one year. More than five but less than eight is 180 days. Eight years or more is 90 days. If the land is vacant and there is a reasonable basis to call it abandoned, the period is 30 days. To redeem, the owner files a motion in the same case and pays the clerk, including 12% a year interest on the buyer's price. The Register of Deeds records deeds, liens, and releases. Back taxes can be paid from the sale proceeds at closing if the seller agrees. [12],[13],[4]
Septic permits, wells, and building rules
A vacant lot with no sewer needs a state septic permit before a house can be built. This county is not on the list of counties that run their own septic office, so the application goes to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Division of Water Resources. A scientist does a site evaluation and may ask for a soils map. A new conventional permit for up to 1,000 gallons a day costs $400, plus $100 to inspect the work. Review generally takes 10 days and must finish within 45 days. Get the permit before dirt work. The building office also wants a well or utility water, and septic approval or sewer verification. The county says it does not have zoning at this time. It adopted the state building codes in January 2011. A residential permit is $0.75 per square foot. Work over $25,000 needs a licensed contractor. DeKalb Utility District serves only parts of the county. [16],[14],[15],[6],[5],[19]
Center Hill Lake and flood risk
Flood exposure depends on the FEMA panel for the parcel, not simply on distance from Center Hill Lake. The U.S. Army says the concrete and earth dam was finished in 1948 for flood control and power. It stands 250 feet high and spans 2,169 feet. Storage is over 2,000,000 acre-feet, and the dam controls runoff from a 2,195-square-mile drainage area. The lake reaches into this county and three neighboring counties. FEMA's current effective flood map for the unincorporated county is dated February 14, 2025. A map for a city in the county can be older, so use the panel that covers the parcel. The middle vacant lot is 0.47 acres, about 20,330 square feet. The most common size group is a third-acre lot, about 14% of the lots. That is the largest share, not most of the lots. [18],[17],[1]
Greenbelt rollback when farm use ends
Greenbelt rollback is the tax saved while land was taxed on its current use, and it can come due when that use ends. It is not a penalty. The assessor calculates the difference between the use value and market value assessments. Farm and forest land must be at least 15 acres. Open space needs 3 acres and a planning-commission designation. Farm and forest rollback covers three prior years. Open space covers five. It is payable when the assessor mails notice and delinquent on March 1 of the next year. A first application is due March 15. A late continuation filing within 30 days costs $50, paid to the trustee. If a sale ends greenbelt, the seller is liable unless a written contract says otherwise. A buyer who writes, at the sale, that the use will continue, then misses the 90-day filing, becomes solely responsible. Unpaid rollback is still a first lien on the land. [8],[9],[2]
Step by step
How do I sell my land in DeKalb County?
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 DeKalb County: common questions
What if I stop paying property taxes on a vacant lot?
The taxes go delinquent on March 1, and 1.5% interest starts that day. The trustee can still accept payment until the account is turned over to the delinquent tax attorney. After a court suit, the land can be sold for cash at a public tax sale. You can usually redeem for one year after the court confirms the sale, but that window can be shorter, and vacant land that appears abandoned can have only 30 days.
Can I sell a lot that never had a septic permit?
Yes. You can sell the land even if no septic permit was ever issued. A later buyer who wants a house must apply to the state for a site evaluation. TDEC may require a soils map and can deny a permit after review. A new conventional permit costs $400 for a system up to 1,000 gallons a day, plus $100 for the construction inspection. Processing can take up to 45 days after a complete application. We buy vacant lots with no water, sewer, or road work, and we check utilities, access, and title before offering.
Do I owe greenbelt rollback if the land leaves farm use?
You may. Rollback is the tax that was saved under greenbelt, not a fine on top of that. Farm and forest land looks back three years. Open space looks back five. The assessor figures the bill. If a sale is what ends the classification, the seller owes it unless the contract says otherwise. A buyer who writes at the sale that the farm use will continue, then misses the 90-day filing, takes on that personal bill. The land still has a first lien for any amount left unpaid. The first-time filing deadline is March 15.
How can I tell if a lake lot is in a flood zone?
Use the FEMA flood map for that parcel, not the view of the water. The current effective map for the unincorporated county is February 14, 2025. The U.S. Army says Center Hill Dam was finished in 1948 for flood control on the Caney Fork River, but the dam's purpose does not identify the zone for a particular lot. Use the panel that covers the parcel before planning a house or driveway.
Can I sell from out of state without coming to closing?
Yes. You can sign electronically and close by mail. About 16% of owners on this roll use an out-of-state mailing address, and Florida addresses are the largest out-of-state group. About 84% use a Tennessee address. An independent, licensed title company handles the closing, and you can be paid by check or wire. The only contingency is our land inspection. If the inspection fails, it costs you nothing.
What if the lot has no water line and no sewer?
You can still sell it. A later building permit requires a potable water source, either a well or a utility, plus septic approval or sewer verification. DeKalb Utility District serves only parts of the county, so check whether a lot is inside its service area. There is no countywide zoning, but the county has used the state building codes since January 2011. The residential permit fee is $0.75 per square foot. We cover closing costs.
Owner resources
Guides for your situation
- 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]
- 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.
- Water, Sewer, Septic, and Wells on Vacant Lots
A vacant lot may use public water, a private well, public sewer, or an onsite septic system, but nearby pipes and neighboring homes do not prove what the parcel can use. Ask each utility for a written availability decision, ask the permitting office whether connection is mandatory, and obtain a qualified site evaluation before saying septic will fit. Keep every response, permit, plan, test, and receipt.
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.
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 all parcels in DeKalb County. 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. Lot-size sale rows use the same qualified 2025 sale cohort and canonical square-foot classes; classes with fewer than 10 sales are omitted.
- [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] DeKalb County Assessor of Property, DeKalb County Assessor of Property (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [3] DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County Trustee (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [4] DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County Register of Deeds (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [5] DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County Zoning and Planning (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [6] DeKalb County Government, DeKalb County Building Department (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [7] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, How to Calculate Your Tax Bill (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [8] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Greenbelt Agricultural, Forest and Open Space Act (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [9] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, State Board of Equalization Greenbelt Manual (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [10] University of Tennessee CTAS, Delinquency Date for County Property Taxes (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [11] University of Tennessee CTAS, Interest on Delinquent Property Taxes (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [12] University of Tennessee CTAS, The Tax Sale (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [13] University of Tennessee CTAS, Redemption After a Property Tax Sale (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [14] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Subsurface Sewage Disposal System FAQs (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [15] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Septic System Construction Permit and Fees (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [16] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Online Application for Septic Related Services (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [17] Federal Emergency Management Agency, Tennessee NFIP Community Status Book (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [18] U.S. Army, Emergency officials simulate high-water scenario at Center Hill Dam (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [19] DeKalb Utility District, DeKalb Utility District (accessed 2026-09-30)
- [20] Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Center Hill Reservoir, counties and surface acres (accessed 2026-10-01)