Pay them after the job is completed to your satisfaction, just like any other contractor.

Let them know that if they fail to respond, or fail to respond to your satisfaction, that you will file a complaint with the Tennessee Real Estate Commission and sue them for damages.

Be patient and make a lot of offers for what makes sense based on the numbers.There are people coming out of pocket to make mortgage payments because they paid too much.When they ask for highest and best I say you already have it.

When you are old, the real satisfaction is not the number of dollars in your bank account; it's knowing that you did something significant and made an impact in other people's lives."

For example, my last offer included the in the contingency for the survey, easements and encroachments “to the satisfaction of the buyer.”

I would make your offer generous and contingent on certain due diligence items to your satisfaction.

You just have to be patient and diligent about your searches and checking with the city.

For sure, you have to be patient.  

For example, if the sale was not conducted in a commercially reasonable manner or if the sale price was significantly less than the fair market value of the property, you may be able to challenge the sale and seek to have it set aside.The NC statute related to the question is NCGS 45-21-20, Satisfaction of debt after publishing or posting notice, but before completion of sale. 

You just have to be patient and plan accordingly.Best!