How to Search for Memphis Property Records

Property records contain some of the most interesting details, like ownership history, property values, taxes, liens, number of bedrooms/baths, amenities, house type, foreclosures, zoning, and more. Memphis property records are public records and can be viewed by anyone. The trick to finding what you need is knowing where to look. Use the resources below to search for Memphis property records.

Shelby County Register of Deeds

The Shelby County Register of Deeds is the local repository for property records like liens, deeds, foreclosures, mortgages, and other property-related materials. You can search on their website by owner name, parcel ID, and tax map.

Shelby County Website

The Shelby County website also has a search tool that allows you to search for property tax records, business property records, neighborhood sales, property appraisals, and county-owned property for sale.

Shelby County Assessor

The Shelby County Assessor has a real property search tool on its website where you can find property by address, owner, business name, or parcel number.

You can also search using the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury website. Search by county, property address, owner name, or parcel ID.

Shelby County Courts

Shelby County Courts can also yield some helpful information on property. Performing a search of various types of courts, you can find probate records (with property), divorce cases, property disputes, liens (mechanics and judgment), foreclosures, bankruptcies, etc.

Memphis property taxes pay for city expenses like education, healthcare, fire, police, EMTs, public parks, transportation, road maintenance, and many other city services. Properties are assessed every four years, and tax rates are set by the third week in June of every year. If not paid by August 31st, taxes are considered delinquent and will incur interest of 1.5% per month until paid. If they go unpaid for too long, the county will place a lien on the property and foreclose, selling the house at auction to pay off the back taxes. You can pay your Memphis property taxes online, by check, phone, wire transfer, or in person at Room 375 in the City Hall building. You can also pay your taxes at any First Tennessee Bank location.

Assessments

The Shelby County Tax Assessor is the office that handles all annual property assessments to determine the value for tax purposes. Their goal is to find the fair market value of all property and tax it accordingly. They reassess all property every four years to determine if the value has changed during that period. If you disagree with your property assessment, you can file an appeal with the Shelby County Assessor's Office. You can also file an appeal with the Shelby County Board of Equalization (BOE).

Appraisals

Memphis assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Memphis' property taxes are double the state's median rate. Memphis has an average effective tax rate of 1.52%, which is considerably higher than the national average of 0.99% and the state median of 0.64%. The city's taxes are high due to the rising costs of city services and a loss of federal grants. See how Memphis' taxes stack up against other counties in Tennessee:

• Anderson County 0.864%
• Bedford County 0.55%
• Decatur County 0.868%
• Giles County 0.50%
• Lawrence County 1.097%
• Putnam County 0.362%
• Sumner County 0.529%
• Warren County 0.1006%

Exemptions

Property taxes are very high in Memphis, and residents need all the help they can get to pay for them. The county offers some property tax exemptions to help certain individuals. Some of the available exemptions in Memphis are:

• Seniors ($36,370 income limit)
• Disabled People ($36,370 income limit)
• Disabled Veteran
• Disabled Veteran's Widow(er) of a Soldier Killed in Action

You can apply for any of these exemptions by contacting the Shelby County Trustee's Office.

Before embarking on a construction project in Memphis (new construction, renovation, or demolition), you need a building permit. You can get one from the Shelby County Permit and Code Enforcement Office. This agency is responsible for all building and code operations within the county. You can apply for a permit in person at the customer service counter in City Hall and East Office on Mullins Station Road. You can also apply online through the Division of Planning and Development portal. You can call them at (901) 222-8300 with any questions. The types of available permits in Memphis include:

• Residential Building Permit
• Commercial Building Permit
• Electrical Permit
• Mechanical Permit
• Plumbing Permit
• Special Events Permit
• Signage Permits
• Elevator Permits

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the proper fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the Develp901 portal.

Best known for Graceland and Motown music, the city of Memphis has a population of 618,639 people. Memphis, Tennessee, has around 294,400 housing units of varying types. Since COVID-19, Memphis has experienced a housing crisis. The city has single-family homes, apartments, townhouses, duplexes, public housing, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The average price of a home in Memphis is $195,000, which is comparatively low compared to other big cities in the U.S. However, house prices vary considerably based on where in Memphis you live. Some examples include:

• High Point Terrace (38111) $334,000
• Colonial Acres (38117) $249,900
• Hyde Park (38108) $87,000
• South Main (38109) $319,500
• Crosstown (38104) $287,500
• Uptown (38105) $163,500
• Midtown (38104) $127,381
• East Memphis-Colonial-Yorkshire (38104) $181,481
• Berclair-Highland Heights (38108) $100,401
• Parkway Village-Oakhaven (38118) $118,478
• White Haven-Coro Lake (38109) $112,929
• Shelby Forest-Frayser (38127) $85,926
• River Oaks-Kirby-Balmoral (38119) $292,878
• Raleigh (38128) $144,814

The Memphis real estate market is unstable, with smaller homes, like a 1-bedroom single-family home, decreasing in price, whereas larger 5-bedroom homes have increased in price.