Sullivan County, Tennessee Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Sullivan County, Tennessee currently has 1 tax-delinquent property on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Sullivan County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the County Trustee (delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court), how Tennessee's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

• 1 tax-delinquent property are currently on record in Sullivan County, TN, refreshed weekly from public records.

• Plus additional distressed properties (foreclosures, liens, probate) shown in the live breakdown below.

• How to pull the official Sullivan County tax-delinquent list, and how Tennessee's tax-sale + redemption process works, so you act on real, current numbers, not a generic explainer.

GoliathData currently tracks 1 tax-delinquent property in Sullivan County, TN, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of July 13, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Source: GoliathData real-time county records. Refreshed weekly.

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Sullivan County, Tennessee currently shows 1 active tax delinquency on record. This is the foundational signal for tax sale opportunity in the county, representing a property owner who has fallen behind on property tax payments. However, the broader distress picture is more complex. The county's recent filings reveal a mixed landscape of financial stress across property owners: 4 preprobate cases, 3 liens, 3 trustee sales, 2 probate cases, 2 foreclosures, and single instances of code violation, property auction, sheriff sale, preforeclosure, divorce, judgment lien, marriage notice, and notice of default. Together, these signals suggest moderate activity in distressed property transactions and estate-related ownership changes.

The presence of multiple trustee sales, foreclosures, and liens indicates that Sullivan County has steady turnover in properties facing financial claims. For investors, this means there is consistent deal flow, though the relatively small count of tax delinquencies (1 on current record) suggests that tax sales are not the dominant distressed-asset channel in this county compared to foreclosure or trustee action. The mix of preprobate and probate filings (4 and 2 respectively) also points to estate liquidations as a parallel source of property transitions. Code violations and notices of default signal properties that may attract rehabilitators or builders willing to manage restoration work.

What this adds up to: Sullivan County is active enough to warrant monitoring, but not saturated. Investors will face moderate competition, especially if they focus on the intersection of tax delinquency and other distress signals (liens, judgment, preforeclosure status). The best strategy is to stay informed about the official delinquent tax list and cross-reference it with the broader county distress data to identify properties with compounding problems and lower bidder competition.

How to get the official Sullivan County tax-delinquent list

The authoritative source for Sullivan County's tax-delinquent properties is the County Trustee, which administers delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court. This is your starting point for any serious pursuit of tax-sale properties in Sullivan County.

To obtain the official list, contact the County Trustee directly and request the current delinquent tax roll or list of properties scheduled for tax sale. You may also visit the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court office in person during business hours to review the list or request a certified copy. Many Tennessee counties now publish delinquent lists online through their county websites or the state's tax sale portal; verify the Sullivan County Trustee's website for the most current published schedule and property details.

When you contact the office, be specific: ask for the delinquent tax list, the date of the next scheduled trustee sale, and whether individual property records or a bulk list are available. The County Trustee can also direct you to any property-specific details (legal description, amount of delinquent taxes, accrued penalties and interest) that you'll need before bidding.

The list is typically updated periodically as properties are sold or accounts are brought current. Checking back monthly or signing up for any county notifications will keep you informed of new additions and upcoming sale dates. Note that the County Trustee's office may also maintain a separate public notice in a local newspaper announcing the tax sale, which by law must be published before the sale date. Check local Sullivan County publications or the Trustee's office for that notice to confirm the exact sale date and terms.

How Tennessee's tax sale and redemption process works

Tennessee's tax sale process is structured to balance the county's need to collect delinquent taxes with the property owner's right to reclaim the property. Understanding the flow is essential before you bid.

When a property owner fails to pay property taxes, the County Trustee initiates the delinquent tax collection process. Notice is sent to the property owner and, in many cases, published in a newspaper and on the county website. After a statutory waiting period (which varies based on when the taxes became due), the Trustee conducts a trustee sale, sometimes called a tax sale or tax auction. This sale is typically held at a public venue announced in advance, such as a courthouse or online platform if the county uses electronic bidding.

At the sale, the property is offered to the highest bidder. The opening bid is typically the amount owed in delinquent taxes plus accrued penalties, interest, and costs. If you win, you pay immediately and receive a certificate or deed of purchase. However, Tennessee law grants the original owner and certain lienholders a redemption right: they can reclaim the property by paying you back your bid amount plus interest within a set period. The exact length of the redemption period and the rate of redemption interest are governed by Tennessee statute and should be confirmed with the County Trustee before you bid, as they directly affect your return on investment.

If the redemption period expires and no one redeems the property, you receive a deed and become the legal owner. If the property is redeemed during the period, you receive your money back plus the statutory interest, and the original owner regains title.

Throughout this process, the property may carry unpaid liens (from utilities, contractors, HOA fees, or judgment creditors). You must perform thorough due diligence to identify and assess these obligations, as you may be responsible for them after purchase. The County Trustee's office can provide lien information, but you should also conduct a title search and lien search independently or with a title company.

Due diligence and risks

Buying at a tax sale in Sullivan County requires careful investigation. Here are the key areas to check before you bid:

• Title and liens: Perform a full title search to identify any mortgages, judgment liens, mechanic's liens, tax liens, or HOA liens attached to the property. The County Trustee will provide basic information, but a title company or attorney can give you a complete picture. Remember that some liens (like federal tax liens) may survive the tax sale and become your responsibility.

• Occupancy and tenancy: Visit the property and determine if anyone is living there. If the property is occupied, you may not be able to evict the occupant without going through eviction court, which adds cost and time. Check for rental agreements or lease terms that might run longer than your expected holding period.

• Condition and environmental issues: Inspect the structure, roof, foundation, utilities, and systems. Tax-delinquent properties are often neglected and may have code violations, mold, pest damage, or environmental hazards. Budget for repairs and verify that the property is not on any state or federal contamination lists.

• Property taxes and assessments: Confirm the current assessed value and tax liability after your purchase. Your tax bill as the new owner may be higher than the delinquent amount you paid.

• Code violations: Contact the Sullivan County Building/Code Enforcement office to see if there are outstanding violations on the property. You may inherit the responsibility to cure them.

• Redemption rights and timeline: Confirm the exact redemption period and interest rate with the County Trustee. Do not assume you will own the property immediately after the sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the official Sullivan County tax-delinquent property list?

Contact the County Trustee, which administers delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court. You can request the delinquent tax roll by visiting the office in person or calling directly. Many counties also publish the list on their websites or through state portals. The County Trustee's office will provide you with property descriptions, amounts owed, and the date of the next trustee sale.

When is the next Sullivan County tax sale?

The County Trustee's office publishes the schedule for trustee sales well in advance, typically in a public notice in local newspapers and on the county website. Contact the Trustee directly to confirm the exact date of the next sale, as dates may shift due to redemptions or county administrative changes. The law requires that notice be published before the sale is held, so monitoring the county's legal notices is a reliable way to stay informed.

What is the redemption period in Tennessee, and can the original owner take the property back?

Yes, Tennessee grants the original owner and certain lienholders a right to redeem the property after the tax sale. The redemption period and the rate of interest you earn on your bid amount are set by Tennessee statute. You must confirm these exact terms with the County Trustee before you bid, as they affect your profit and the timeline to full ownership. If the property is redeemed during the period, you receive your money back plus statutory interest, and the original owner keeps the property.

Is investing in Sullivan County tax-sale properties worth it?

That depends on your strategy and risk tolerance. The county currently shows 1 active tax delinquency, plus multiple other distress signals (trustee sales, foreclosures, liens, preprobate cases), indicating steady activity but not overwhelming volume. Tax sales can offer below-market entry prices and redemption interest earnings, but they also come with risks: title defects, liens, occupancy issues, and property condition problems. Success requires thorough due diligence, access to capital for repairs or holding costs, and patience for the redemption period to expire. Consult a local real estate attorney and title company to evaluate specific properties before committing.

More Tennessee Tax Delinquent Property Lists

Browse the full Tennessee tax delinquent properties for sale list for every county, or jump straight to a nearby list:

• Sumner County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Washington County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Williamson County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Wilson County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Anderson County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Blount County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

Sources

• County Trustee (delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court), Sullivan County, the official delinquent-property list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption details for Sullivan County. Contact the office directly for current specifics.

• U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts, population, housing, and ownership context for Sullivan County, Tennessee.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, guidance on buying foreclosed and distressed homes.

• GoliathData real-time county records, the distressed-property signal counts above, compiled from public records and refreshed weekly.