Spencer Buys Houses
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Some home-selling stories begin with a real estate listing. This one started with a TikTok message — and six months later, we owned the house and had already started the renovation.
It’s a good example of how a direct home sale can work for homeowners who have a property that needs significant work but aren’t ready to sell immediately.
In this case, the seller’s partner came across one of my TikTok videos and reached out.
That message turned into a conversation, and eventually, we scheduled a walkthrough of the property in Germantown, Tennessee.
The property needed extensive repairs and renovation work. That's not necessarily a problem for us — in fact, fixer-uppers are exactly the type of properties we look for.
We don't expect homeowners to renovate before contacting us. Instead, we evaluate the property's current condition, estimate the work required, look at comparable properties, and determine what we can reasonably offer.
In this case, our initial offer wasn't what the sellers wanted.
And that's okay.
A homeowner should never feel pressured to accept an offer simply because a buyer wants the deal.
We stayed in contact over the next six months.
There were conversations here and there, but there was no pressure and no artificial deadline. Sometimes homeowners simply aren't ready to sell yet. They may need time to think, compare their options, or figure out what they want to do next.
Eventually, the timing was right.
The sellers reached back out, we worked through the numbers, reached an agreement, and closed on the property.
Six months after that first conversation, the house was officially ours.
The sellers left the property with belongings still inside.
Furniture, household items, clutter, and personal belongings were all part of the property as we received it.
For homeowners who have been putting off a sale because they don't know how they're going to clean out years of accumulated belongings, this can make a huge difference.
Instead of spending weeks packing, renting dumpsters, hiring cleaners, or hauling furniture to the curb, the seller can focus on what's important to them and leave the rest for the buyer to handle.
That can include properties with:
One of the first major projects was the roof.
Seeing a new roof going onto a property that previously needed so much work is one of the most rewarding parts of this business.
The goal isn't simply to buy houses.
It's to take properties that need attention, put the necessary work into them, and turn them into homes that can serve the community for years to come.
If it needs a roof, major renovation, cleanup, or extensive repairs, we're willing to take a look.
We evaluate the property based on its current condition.
Depending on the agreement, we can handle the cleanout after closing.
If the timing isn't right, that's okay. You should have the opportunity to consider your options without being pressured into a decision.
Whether the property needs a new roof, a complete renovation, extensive cleanup, or simply hasn't been updated in decades, Spencer Buys Houses can take a look.
There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Call or text Spencer Buys Houses today and tell us about your property.
Spencer Buys Houses
Memphis & Germantown, TN
901-979-9848
Founder, Spencer Buys Houses | Memphis, TN
Spencer Shadrach has been buying homes across Memphis, Shelby County, and the Mid-South for over 10 years. He specializes in purchasing properties in a wide range of conditions and helping homeowners find straightforward alternatives to the traditional home-selling process.
It’s a good example of how a direct home sale can work for homeowners who have a property that needs significant work but aren’t ready to sell immediately.
It Started With TikTok, Not a Listing
I regularly share videos about homes we buy, renovate, and sell throughout Memphis and the surrounding area. Increasingly, homeowners and property owners are finding us through social media instead of traditional real estate advertising.In this case, the seller’s partner came across one of my TikTok videos and reached out.
That message turned into a conversation, and eventually, we scheduled a walkthrough of the property in Germantown, Tennessee.
The House Needed a Lot of Work
After walking through the property, it was clear that this wasn't a move-in-ready home.The property needed extensive repairs and renovation work. That's not necessarily a problem for us — in fact, fixer-uppers are exactly the type of properties we look for.
We don't expect homeowners to renovate before contacting us. Instead, we evaluate the property's current condition, estimate the work required, look at comparable properties, and determine what we can reasonably offer.
In this case, our initial offer wasn't what the sellers wanted.
And that's okay.
A homeowner should never feel pressured to accept an offer simply because a buyer wants the deal.
Six Months of Follow-Up — Without Pressure
After the sellers declined our initial offer, we didn't walk away forever.We stayed in contact over the next six months.
There were conversations here and there, but there was no pressure and no artificial deadline. Sometimes homeowners simply aren't ready to sell yet. They may need time to think, compare their options, or figure out what they want to do next.
Eventually, the timing was right.
The sellers reached back out, we worked through the numbers, reached an agreement, and closed on the property.
Six months after that first conversation, the house was officially ours.
They Left the House As-Is
One of the biggest advantages of selling a fixer-upper directly is that you don't necessarily have to turn the property into a showroom before selling it.The sellers left the property with belongings still inside.
Furniture, household items, clutter, and personal belongings were all part of the property as we received it.
For homeowners who have been putting off a sale because they don't know how they're going to clean out years of accumulated belongings, this can make a huge difference.
Instead of spending weeks packing, renting dumpsters, hiring cleaners, or hauling furniture to the curb, the seller can focus on what's important to them and leave the rest for the buyer to handle.
What Does Selling a House As-Is Mean?
Selling a property as-is generally means you're selling it in its current condition rather than agreeing to complete repairs before closing.That can include properties with:
- An aging or damaged roof
- Outdated kitchens and bathrooms
- Old HVAC systems
- Plumbing problems
- Electrical issues
- Foundation concerns
- Water damage
- Deferred maintenance
- Overgrown landscaping
- Extensive interior cleanup
- Furniture and unwanted belongings
New Roof Day
Once we closed, the renovation could finally begin.One of the first major projects was the roof.
Seeing a new roof going onto a property that previously needed so much work is one of the most rewarding parts of this business.
The goal isn't simply to buy houses.
It's to take properties that need attention, put the necessary work into them, and turn them into homes that can serve the community for years to come.
What This Means If You Own a Germantown Fixer-Upper
This purchase is a good example of how we work with homeowners.1. We Buy Houses in All Kinds of Conditions
Your property doesn't have to be perfect.If it needs a roof, major renovation, cleanup, or extensive repairs, we're willing to take a look.
2. You Don't Have to Renovate First
You don't need to spend tens of thousands of dollars trying to make the house market-ready before contacting us.We evaluate the property based on its current condition.
3. You Don't Have to Clean Everything Out
If you have furniture, appliances, belongings, or other unwanted items that you don't want to deal with, tell us about them.Depending on the agreement, we can handle the cleanout after closing.
4. You Don't Have to Decide Today
Not every homeowner is ready to sell immediately.If the timing isn't right, that's okay. You should have the opportunity to consider your options without being pressured into a decision.
5. When You're Ready, We Can Move Quickly
Once an offer is accepted and the transaction is ready to close, we can often close in as little as 7 days, depending on the circumstances and title work.Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to clean out my Germantown house before selling?
No, not necessarily. We purchase properties in as-is condition, and depending on the agreement, unwanted furniture and belongings can remain for us to handle after closing.Will you buy a house that needs a new roof?
Yes. Major repairs such as roofing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, and extensive renovations are situations we regularly evaluate.Do I have to repair my house before getting a cash offer?
No. We can evaluate the property in its current condition and account for the repairs when determining an offer.Do I have to accept your first offer?
No. A cash offer is simply an offer. You should take the time you need to decide whether it makes sense for your situation.How quickly can you close?
Once you accept an offer and the title work is ready, we can potentially close in as little as 7 days. If you need more time, we can discuss a closing date that works for you.What areas does Spencer Buys Houses serve?
We purchase properties throughout the Memphis area and surrounding communities, including Memphis, Germantown, Collierville, Cordova, Millington, Raleigh, Hickory Hill, and Berclair, as well as other areas throughout Shelby County and nearby communities.Have a Fixer-Upper in Germantown?
If you've been putting off selling because your house needs too much work, you don't have to renovate it before finding out what your options are.Whether the property needs a new roof, a complete renovation, extensive cleanup, or simply hasn't been updated in decades, Spencer Buys Houses can take a look.
There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Call or text Spencer Buys Houses today and tell us about your property.
Spencer Buys Houses
Memphis & Germantown, TN
901-979-9848
About the Author
Spencer ShadrachFounder, Spencer Buys Houses | Memphis, TN
Spencer Shadrach has been buying homes across Memphis, Shelby County, and the Mid-South for over 10 years. He specializes in purchasing properties in a wide range of conditions and helping homeowners find straightforward alternatives to the traditional home-selling process.