Tennessee
Sell your land in Jefferson County for cash
Parcel Buyers buys vacant lots and land for cash in Jefferson County, including parcels where slope, septic approval or reservoir-related constraints shape the build plan. You get a written, no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours, and 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 Jefferson County?
- Parcel Buyers is a direct land buyer that makes written, no-obligation cash offers on vacant lots and acreage in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County sell for in 2025?
- In 2025, vacant lots in Jefferson County sold for a median of $74,000 across 183 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $40,000 to $145,800.
- How many vacant lots are in Jefferson County?
- The 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data lists 7,395 vacant residential lots in Jefferson County; 12% are mini-estate (2-3 acres)s, and the median lot is 0.85 acre.
- How is a cash offer for land in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?
- In 2025, companies bought 11% of the vacant lots that sold in Jefferson County, including 2% bought by homebuilders. Individuals bought the rest.
- What was the median recorded 2025 sale price by lot size in Jefferson County?
- The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in Jefferson County was $92,500 across 34 sales.
Local data
What is land in Jefferson County worth?
In 2025, vacant lots in Jefferson County sold for a median of $74,000 across 183 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $40,000 to $145,800. [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 Jefferson County
| Lot-size class | 2025 sales | 2025 median lot sale |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-estate (2-3 acres)70,000–139,999 sq ft | 34 | $92,500 |
| One-acre homesite40,000–45,999 sq ft | 18 | $45,200 |
| 5-acre ranchette210,000–279,999 sq ft | 18 | $97,500 |
| Oversized half-acre24,000–29,999 sq ft | 12 | $71,200 |
| Small acreage tract (7-10 acres)280,000–435,599 sq ft | 12 | $140,000 |
| Estate parcel (3-5 acres)140,000–209,999 sq ft | 12 | $157,500 |
| Acre-plus46,000–51,999 sq ft | 11 | $55,000 |
| Half-acre lot19,000–23,999 sq ft | 10 | $35,000 |
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 | 7,395 parcels classified vacant residential on the 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data [1] |
|---|---|
| Most common lot size | Mini-estate (2-3 acres) (70,000–140,000 sq ft): 12% of vacant lots; next, half-acre lot at 10%. Median lot: 0.85 acre (37,070 sq ft). [1] |
| Typical appraised value | $32,400 median appraised value for a vacant lot; the middle half fall between $15,000 and $70,000 [1] |
| Recent lot sale prices | $74,000 median across 183 arm's-length sales of vacant lots in Jefferson County (Jan 2025–Dec 2025); the middle half sold for $40,000–$145,800 [1] |
| Who bought lots in 2025 | Companies made 11% of those purchases, including 2% by homebuilders; individuals made the rest [1] |
| Owners who live elsewhere | 20% of vacant lots have an owner mailing address outside Tennessee (most often FL, NC, KY) [1] |
| Property appraisal | The Assessor of Property identifies and values all taxable property, while the County Trustee mails tax bills and collects county property taxes. [2],[3] |
| Tax calendar | County taxes are payable from October 1 through February 28. Unpaid prior-year taxes are filed with Chancery Court beginning April 1. [3] |
| Recorded documents | The Register of Deeds keeps land records dating to 1792; its online index covers documents recorded after September 1, 1998. [4] |
| Building review | The Building Department requires permits for new buildings, garages and additions and asks residential applicants for two copies of their plans. [5] |
| County septic program | Environmental Health publishes the county's septic steps. A new-system permit is $500, a site evaluation is $100, and final approval is required before covering the system. [6] |
| Agricultural-zone baseline | The county lists a 40,000-square-foot minimum lot and 50 feet of road frontage in the A-1 district, if the Health Department approves the lot for a septic system. [7] |
| Terrain and reservoirs | The county land-use plan says terrain ranges from reasonably flat to very steep and calls Cherokee and Douglas lakes important for flood control and outdoor recreation. [8] |
| Cherokee Reservoir | Cherokee Reservoir is situated in Jefferson County and three neighboring counties. TVA allocates 5,589.1 acres of reservoir land to Natural Resource Conservation. [9] |
| 2025 sale price by lot size | The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in Jefferson County was $92,500 across 34 sales. [1] |
Where we buy
Areas we cover in Jefferson County
- Baneberry
1,133vacant lots · 2025 median lot sale $16,200
- Jefferson City
376vacant lots
- Dandridge
326vacant lots
These pages cover the largest lot markets in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County
Match the tax record to the recorded title
Match the tax record to the recorded title. The Assessor of Property identifies and values taxable property, while the Register of Deeds records deeds, assignments, releases and other instruments. County land records date to 1792, and the online index covers documents recorded after September 1, 1998. Older title work may therefore require a different search path. A title company compares the legal description and ownership chain, then identifies liens, restrictions or estate documents that must be handled before the deed can transfer. [2],[4]
Building and septic approvals are linked
Building and septic approvals are linked. The Building Department asks for two plan copies and says residential plans generally have a two-day waiting period, although some reviews take longer. A new house application also needs the deed, a survey or plat and septic approval. Environmental Health charges $100 for a site evaluation and $500 for a new septic permit, requires the proposed house location to be staked, and says the septic permit must come before the building permit. Final septic approval is required before the installed system is covered. [5],[6]
Slope, frontage and flood limits shape usable land
Slope, frontage and flood limits shape usable land. The county land-use plan says terrain ranges from reasonably flat to very steep and warns that steeper sites can raise drainage, road-maintenance, slope-stability and septic concerns. County zoning publishes a baseline for the A-1 district: a 40,000-square-foot minimum lot, 50 feet of road frontage, 30-foot front setback and 10-foot side and rear setbacks, if the Health Department approves the lot for a septic system. The zoning office uses FEMA maps to identify flood zones, so total acreage alone does not show the buildable area. [8],[7]
Tax deadlines and lot sales serve different purposes
Tax deadlines and lot sales serve different purposes. The Trustee accepts county taxes from October 1 through February 28 and begins filing unpaid prior-year accounts with Chancery Court on April 1. The roll shows 7,395 vacant residential parcels, led by mini-estate (2-3 acres)s. Among qualifying 2025 lot sales, the median recorded amount was $74,000, with the middle half between $40,000–$145,800. Those figures summarize filtered countywide lot sales; they do not account for one parcel's septic result, access, slope, flood exposure or recorded restrictions. [3]
Step by step
How do I sell my land in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County: common questions
Who handles Jefferson County property taxes?
The County Trustee handles billing and collection. Taxes are payable from October 1 through February 28, and the county page lists its 2026 tax rate as $1.49. The Assessor of Property handles the appraisal record, so questions about value and questions about payment go to different offices.
Can I sell land after the taxes become delinquent?
Often, yes, but get the current court and payoff status. The Trustee says unpaid taxes from the prior year are filed with Chancery Court beginning April 1, and tax sales are handled through the Clerk and Master. Liens or back taxes can be paid from the sale proceeds at closing, with the seller's consent.
What comes first, the septic permit or building permit?
The septic permit comes first for a house that needs an onsite system. Environmental Health says land outside a subdivision needs a recorded plat and soil map, and the proposed house corners must be staked. It charges $100 for a site evaluation and $500 for a new permit. The Building Department asks for septic approval with the deed and survey or plat before issuing the building permit.
Is a 40,000-square-foot lot automatically buildable?
No. That size is the published minimum for the A-1 district, not a guarantee. The zoning table also lists 50 feet of road frontage and setbacks, and the lot still needs acceptable access, septic approval and any flood review. Another zoning district or recorded restriction may impose a different rule.
Why does slope matter on vacant county land?
Slope can change the driveway, drainage, foundation and septic plan. The county land-use plan says terrain ranges from flat to very steep and identifies road maintenance, unstable slopes and sewage disposal as concerns on steeper land. A wide parcel can still have only a limited area suited to construction.
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]
- Selling Land With Boundary or Survey Problems
Land with a boundary or survey problem can still be offered for sale, but closing may depend on how the buyer, lender, and title insurer handle it. The contract and closing requirements determine whether a survey is needed. A fence does not by itself establish the record boundary. A survey can identify gaps, overlaps, occupation lines, and encroachments; a competing Florida title claim may require a quiet-title action.[1][6][7]
- 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.
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 Jefferson 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] Jefferson County Government, Property Assessor (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [3] Jefferson County Government, County Trustee (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [4] Jefferson County Government, Register of Deeds (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [5] Jefferson County Government, Building Department (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [6] Jefferson County Government, Environmental Health septic program (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [7] Jefferson County Government, Zoning Department (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [8] Jefferson County Government, Jefferson County Land Use Plan (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [9] Tennessee Valley Authority, Cherokee Reservoir Land Management Plan (accessed 2026-10-02)