Tennessee
Sell your land in Johnson County for cash
Parcel Buyers buys vacant lots and land for cash in Johnson County, where mountain terrain makes legal access, slope, utilities and septic capacity especially important. 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 Johnson County?
- Parcel Buyers is a direct land buyer that makes written, no-obligation cash offers on vacant lots and acreage in Johnson 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 Johnson County sell for in 2025?
- In 2025, vacant lots in Johnson County sold for a median of $53,500 across 121 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $25,000 to $125,000.
- How many vacant lots are in Johnson County?
- The 2026 Tennessee parcel and assessment data lists 3,677 vacant residential lots in Johnson County; 21% are mini-estate (2-3 acres)s, and the median lot is 1.60 acre.
- How is a cash offer for land in Johnson 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 Johnson 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 Johnson County?
- In 2025, companies bought 9% of the vacant lots that sold in Johnson County, including 1% bought by homebuilders. Individuals bought the rest.
- What was the median recorded 2025 sale price by lot size in Johnson County?
- The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in Johnson County was $48,000 across 33 sales.
Local data
What is land in Johnson County worth?
In 2025, vacant lots in Johnson County sold for a median of $53,500 across 121 arm's-length sales; the middle half sold for $25,000 to $125,000. [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 Johnson County
| Lot-size class | 2025 sales | 2025 median lot sale |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-estate (2-3 acres)70,000–139,999 sq ft | 33 | $48,000 |
| Small acreage tract (7-10 acres)280,000–435,599 sq ft | 19 | $70,000 |
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 | 3,677 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): 21% of vacant lots; next, estate parcel (3-5 acres) at 9%. Median lot: 1.60 acre (69,700 sq ft). [1] |
| Typical appraised value | $29,000 median appraised value for a vacant lot; the middle half fall between $15,000 and $57,200 [1] |
| Recent lot sale prices | $53,500 median across 121 arm's-length sales of vacant lots in Johnson County (Jan 2025–Dec 2025); the middle half sold for $25,000–$125,000 [1] |
| Who bought lots in 2025 | Companies made 9% of those purchases, including 1% by homebuilders; individuals made the rest [1] |
| Owners who live elsewhere | 38% of vacant lots have an owner mailing address outside Tennessee (most often NC, FL, VA) [1] |
| County land offices | The county lists separate offices for the Property Assessor, Trustee and Register of Deeds. CTAS reports 14,397 parcels and 380.25 county road miles. [2],[5] |
| No county zoning department | The county's newcomer page states that it has no zoning department. That statement does not remove deed restrictions, flood permits, septic review or other project-specific rules. [4] |
| Flood permits at Assessor | The county says FEMA flood permits are applied for at the Property Assessor's office. A parcel still needs review against the current flood map and proposed work. [3] |
| State septic permit | The county directs septic matters to a TDEC environmental field office. TDEC charges $400 for a conventional permit through 1,000 gallons per day and $100 for inspection. [4],[8] |
| 2025 county tax rate | The Comptroller reports a 2025 county rate of $2.21 per $100 of assessed value. Residential and farm property is assessed at 25% of appraisal. [9],[10] |
| 8,600-acre mountain area | The Tennessee Comptroller says Doe Mountain Recreation Authority maintains 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain and trails. Nearby land still requires parcel-level boundary and access review. [7] |
| No county building permit | The county says it currently does not require a building permit. New structures and additions still require septic and electric permits. [4] |
| Backbone Rock Recreation Area | Backbone Rock Recreation Area lies along Beaverdam Creek in northern Johnson County. Motorists on TN 133 pass through its 1901 tunnel, and Forest Service directions use that highway from Shady Valley and from Damascus, Virginia. [15] |
| 2025 sale price by lot size | The median recorded 2025 sale price for a mini-estate (2-3 acres) in Johnson County was $48,000 across 33 sales. [1] |
Where we buy
Areas we cover in Johnson County
- Mountain City
270vacant lots
These pages cover the largest lot markets in Johnson 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 Johnson County
Mountain parcels require an access and build-area check
Johnson County's steep terrain can turn acreage into a smaller usable building area. CTAS reports 380.25 county road miles, but road mileage does not establish that a specific tract has legal frontage, a recorded easement or a driveway grade suitable for construction. The Comptroller says the Doe Mountain Recreation Authority maintains 8,600 acres of protected mountain terrain and trails, another reminder that public or authority-managed land can sit near private holdings without creating private access. A buyer should compare the deed and survey with parcel boundaries, road maintenance, slope and any shared-drive agreement. We check utilities, access and title on every parcel before offering. A failed inspection costs the seller nothing. [5],[7]
No zoning department does not mean no land-use review
The county's official newcomer page states that it has no zoning department and currently requires no county building permit. It still requires septic and electric permits for new structures and additions. FEMA flood permits go through the Property Assessor, while a TDEC environmental field office handles septic matters. TDEC charges $400 for a conventional system designed for no more than 1,000 gallons per day, followed by a $100 construction inspection. Review usually takes about 10 days and cannot exceed 45 days. Recorded restrictions, easements and utility requirements also survive the absence of county zoning. A workable homesite must hold the proposed house, driveway, water route and approved soil area on accessible ground. [4],[3],[8]
Assessment figures and selected 2025 lot sales
The county assessment file identifies 3,677 vacant residential parcels. Its median tract is 1.60 acres, or 69,700 square feet. The largest size group is a mini-estate (2-3 acres), representing 21%. The assessor's median market appraisal is $29,000, and the middle half spans $15,000–$57,200. Tennessee assesses residential land at 25% of appraisal, and the 2025 county rate is $2.21 per $100 of assessed value. The selected 2025 lot-sale set contains 121 accepted warranty deeds with a median amount of $53,500; the middle half is $25,000–$125,000. It keeps one accepted sale per parcel and excludes bulk deeds, so it does not represent every transfer. Slope, legal access, water availability, septic feasibility and recorded restrictions can make one parcel differ sharply from these broad figures. [1],[10],[9],[5],[8]
Deeds and delinquent taxes follow separate county records
The Register of Deeds records ownership documents, while the Property Assessor maintains appraisal and parcel information and the Trustee collects county property tax. Taxes become delinquent March 1. State law adds 1.5% interest then and on the first day of each later month. The delinquent-tax attorney files the collection suit after February 1 and before April 1. Full payment of tax, interest, penalty and court costs dismisses the case for that parcel. Following a confirmed sale, the usual redemption period is one year, but longer delinquencies can shorten it to 180 or 90 days, and qualifying vacant or abandoned property can receive a 30-day period. About 38% of vacant-lot owners use an address outside Tennessee; an independent title company can coordinate a mail-away or electronic closing after resolving title and payoff requirements. [2],[3],[5],[6],[11],[12],[13],[14],[1]
Step by step
How do I sell my land in Johnson 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 Johnson County: common questions
Does the lack of a county zoning department mean any parcel is buildable?
No. The county says it has no zoning department, but it also routes FEMA flood permits through the Property Assessor and septic matters through the state environmental field office. Deed restrictions, legal access, utility rules and state permits can still limit a project. Buildability requires a parcel-specific review.
Can I sell mountain land without a completed driveway?
Yes. We buy vacant lots and land for cash, including lots with no water, sewer or road work. CTAS reports the county-road network, but that figure does not establish frontage or a usable driveway on a particular tract. We check utilities, access and title on every parcel before offering. A failed inspection costs the seller nothing.
Who handles a septic permit for a future house?
The county directs septic questions to a TDEC environmental field office. TDEC's current conventional construction permit is $400 through 1,000 gallons per day, followed by a $100 construction inspection. Soil and usable-area evidence matter to any buyer planning a house.
Can back taxes be paid when the land sells?
Yes. Liens or back taxes can be paid from the sale proceeds at closing, with the seller's consent. County taxes become delinquent March 1 and add 1.5% interest that day and monthly afterward. If a delinquent-tax suit has been filed, the payoff must also include the penalty and accrued court costs.
Which office has the deed and tax information?
The Register of Deeds records deeds and related instruments, the Property Assessor maintains parcel appraisal information, and the Trustee collects county property tax. The county publishes contacts for each office. An independent title company reviews the recorded chain, legal description and liens before a cash closing.
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.
- 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]
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 Johnson 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] Johnson County Government, County officials (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [3] Johnson County Government, Administrative offices and FEMA flood permits (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [4] Johnson County Government, Newcomer information and county services (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [5] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Johnson County government profile (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [6] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Duties of the Register of Deeds (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [7] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Doe Mountain Recreation Authority report (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [8] Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Septic System Construction Permit (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [9] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, 2025 Tax Aggregate Report (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [10] Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury, Assessment vs Taxation (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [11] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Delinquency Date (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [12] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Interest on Delinquent Taxes (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [13] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Delinquent Tax Suit (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [14] University of Tennessee County Technical Assistance Service, Redemption After a Tax Sale (accessed 2026-10-02)
- [15] U.S. Forest Service, Backbone Rock Recreation Area (accessed 2026-10-02)