7 Easiest Ways to Sell Your House for Cash in Knoxville

Looking to sell your Knoxville house for cash? You have more options than you might think. From traditional "we buy houses" companies to tech-powered platforms, the cash buyer landscape has evolved significantly.

This guide breaks down 7 ways to sell your Knoxville home for cash, comparing speed, convenience, and—most importantly—how much you'll actually receive.

1. Cash Offer Marketplace (Best Value)

What it is: A platform that distributes your property to multiple cash investors who compete for your sale.

How it works:

1. Submit your property details (2 minutes)
2. Your property goes to 500+ vetted investors
3. Receive multiple competing offers (typically 3-5)
4. Choose the best offer and close

Typical Knoxville offer: 75-85% of market value

Timeline: Offers in 24-48 hours, close in 7-14 days

Fees: None to seller

Pros:

• Competition drives up prices (8-15% higher than single-buyer offers)
• Multiple offers provide market validation
• Transparent—you see all offers
• Sell as-is, no repairs

Cons:

• Still below full retail price
• Not all properties attract multiple offers

Best for: Sellers who want speed AND fair price

2. Local "We Buy Houses" Companies

What it is: Individual investors or small companies that buy homes directly for cash.

Knoxville examples: Nexus Homebuyers, Vol Homes, East Tennessee Home Buyers, Reliant Home Buyers

Typical Knoxville offer: 50-70% of market value

Timeline: Offer in 24-48 hours, close in 7-14 days

Fees: None (but built into lower offer)

Pros:

• Fast and simple process
• Local knowledge of Knoxville neighborhoods
• Buy in any condition
• Flexible closing timeline

Cons:

• Lowest offers (no competition = no leverage)
• Quality varies significantly
• Some operators are predatory

Best for: Sellers prioritizing speed over price

3. iBuyers (Instant Buyers)

What it is: Tech companies that use algorithms to make instant cash offers on homes.

Major players: Opendoor, Offerpad (limited Knoxville availability)

Typical offer: 85-95% of market value (for qualifying homes)

Timeline: Instant offer, close in 14-30 days

Fees: 5-7% service fee

Pros:

• Highest cash offers available
• Instant pricing—know immediately
• Convenient, tech-driven process

Cons:

• Limited Knoxville availability
• Only buy move-in ready homes
• Service fees reduce net proceeds
• May reduce offer after inspection

Best for: Move-in ready homes in suburban neighborhoods

4. Real Estate Agent with Cash Buyer Network

What it is: Working with a Knoxville agent who has relationships with local investors.

How it works: Agent markets your property to their investor contacts, potentially generating cash offers alongside traditional buyers.

Typical offer: 70-85% of market value

Timeline: 1-2 weeks for offers, 30-45 days to close

Fees: Usually 5-6% commission (even on cash sales)

Pros:

• Professional guidance
• Agent negotiates on your behalf
• Option to compare cash vs. traditional offers

Cons:

• Commission reduces net proceeds
• Slower than direct cash buyers
• Agent's investor network may be limited

Best for: Sellers unsure between cash and traditional sale

5. Auction

What it is: Selling your Knoxville home through a real estate auction (online or live).

Types:

• Absolute auction: Sells to highest bidder regardless of price
• Reserve auction: Must meet minimum price to sell

Typical result: 70-90% of market value (varies widely)

Timeline: 30-45 days to auction, immediate sale

Fees: 5-10% buyer's premium or seller's fee

Pros:

• Creates urgency and competition
• Defined timeline
• Attracts investor buyers

Cons:

• Unpredictable results
• Stigma of "auction" may deter some buyers
• High fees
• Risk of very low price (absolute auction)

Best for: Unique properties or estates needing fast resolution

6. Sell to a House Flipper

What it is: Selling directly to an investor who will renovate and resell your home.

How to find them: Real estate investment groups, networking, direct mail you receive, online searches

Typical offer: 50-70% of ARV (after-repair value)

Timeline: Offer in days, close in 7-21 days

Fees: None

Pros:

• Buy properties needing significant work
• Fast closings
• No repairs required

Cons:

• Lowest offers (need margin for renovation + profit)
• Harder to find legitimate flippers
• No competition = no leverage

Best for: Properties needing major renovation

7. FSBO with Cash Buyer Target

What it is: Selling For Sale By Owner while specifically marketing to cash buyers.

How it works: List on Zillow, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace with "CASH BUYERS WELCOME" messaging. Price competitively to attract investor interest.

Typical result: 75-90% of market value

Timeline: 2-8 weeks for offer, 14-30 days to close

Fees: Minimal (listing fees, closing costs)

Pros:

• Save on agent commissions
• Control over process
• Potential for good price if priced right

Cons:

• Time-consuming
• Requires negotiation skills
• Risk of scams or unqualified buyers
• Legal/paperwork responsibility on you

Best for: Experienced sellers with time to manage the process

Comparison Chart

Which Option Is Best for You?

If you want the best combination of speed + price: Cash offer marketplace

If you have a move-in ready home: Try iBuyers first, then marketplace

If you need to close this week: Local "we buy houses" company

If your home needs major work: Cash marketplace or flipper

If you're not in a rush: FSBO or agent with investor network

The Bottom Line

You have more options than ever for selling your Knoxville home for cash. The key insight: competition creates value. Any option that has multiple buyers competing for your property will outperform single-buyer scenarios.

That's why cash offer marketplaces have become the go-to for savvy sellers—you get the speed of cash with the price benefits of competition.