What makes Knox County different from the rest of Tennessee
0.115% mortgage recordation tax on the loan is buyer-paid in Knox County. The county's average effective property-tax rate of 0.60% sets your escrow prepaids: at the $360,000 county median that's roughly $2,160 a year, about $1,080 collected at the closing table.
One of the South's cheapest closings
Knox County's effective rate near 0.6% plus Tennessee's lack of income tax keeps carrying costs low, and the buyer's only state-specific closing charge is the small mortgage tax — roughly $370 on a $324K loan.
Cutting your Knoxville closing costs
Three moves that work in Knox County: (1) collect Loan Estimates from three lenders on the same day — origination, points and lender credits swing by thousands; (2) negotiate seller concessions (3% conventional under 10% down, 6% above, 6% FHA/VA) and take them as a closing credit rather than a price cut; (3) close in the last week of the month to shrink prepaid interest from roughly 30 days to two. Where a transfer or recordation tax is customarily split, that split is a contract term, not a law — ask.
FAQ
How much are closing costs in Knox County, Tennessee?
Plan on roughly $9,000–$16,200 of buyer closing costs at the $360,000 Knox County median, on top of your down payment. 0.115% mortgage recordation tax on the loan is buyer-paid in Knox County.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Knox County?
Yes — buyers here typically carry about 0.12% of the purchase price in transfer, recordation or mortgage tax. 0.115% mortgage recordation tax on the loan is buyer-paid in Knox County.
What are property taxes in Knox County?
The county's average effective rate is about 0.60% of market value, so a $360,000 home runs roughly $2,160 a year. Individual parcels vary by municipality, school district and special assessments — check the parcel's actual bill, not the county average.
How much cash do I need to buy a house in Knoxville?
Down payment + closing costs + reserves. At the Knox County median with 10% down, that's about $48,600 before reserves. Run your own price and rate above for the exact stack.
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