Selling an Inherited House
An inherited house usually comes with a legal step most other sales don't need: probate. Until an estate is opened and an executor or personal representative is formally appointed by the court, no one technically has authority to sign for a sale, even a motivated heir.
More than one heir is common, and every owner with a legal interest in the property generally needs to agree to a sale and be part of signing, whatever condition the house is in.
Probate timelines vary by state and by court, and can run from a few months to well over a year. Inherited houses often sit vacant while an estate is settled, which raises its own separate questions — insurance, utilities, basic upkeep — on top of the legal process of clearing title.
What this usually involves
- An executor or personal representative typically needs to be appointed before a sale can move forward.
- Multiple heirs generally all need to agree and sign, unless one person has sole legal authority.
- Title needs to be clear before closing — outstanding liens, unpaid property taxes, or a will contest can all affect that.
- A house that's sat vacant during probate may need utilities restored and a fresh look at its condition.
- Probate timelines and requirements vary significantly from state to state.
- Estate and inheritance tax questions are separate from the sale itself and are worth a specific answer from an accountant.
How it works
Tell us about the house
Address and rough condition, two minutes.
We introduce it to buyers in your area
Not to a single company.
Buyers reach out directly
They look at the house and handle their own offers. We're not on those calls and we don't set any numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Does the house need to be out of probate first?
That's between you and the court handling the estate, not us. We can still take down the details whenever you're ready — what happens with a sale depends on where probate stands.
What if there's more than one heir?
Tell us who's involved when you reach out. We don't require a single point of contact; we pass along what you give us.
Do you handle the legal side of an estate sale?
No. We're not attorneys and don't advise on probate, estate administration, or title. Those questions belong with the attorney or executor handling the estate.
Does the house need to be cleaned out first?
No. We don't ask for a house to be emptied or prepared before we pass along your details.