I looked up a deed and First HorizonHome Loans holds the mortage. The house

First Horizon sold out to MetLife Home Loans back in 2008, so the company doesn't really exist any longer.  When you did your searching, did you check out the title to the property?  That sort of search ought to give you what you need in terms of who the current ownership is (taxing authority ought to have that knowledge anyway).  Now you said that they "hold(s) the mortgage...who is the owner of this property?  Is it a private individual, or have you mistakenly discussed property that is owned by the lender instead of mortgaged by it?  If it's a private individual, that's who you'd need to be in contact with.  If, on the other hand, it's a foreclosed property and is truly owned by the lending institution, tracking them down (start with MetLife) is the way to go.