A seller resource

Selling a House You Inherited

If you’ve inherited a house, you’re probably handling it on top of everything else, and maybe from out of town. Most inherited houses need some work, and that’s fine. Here’s what to take care of first, in order.

1. Find out who can sign

Before a house can be listed, we need to know who has the legal right to sell it. That depends on how the house was owned and whether the estate goes through probate. Sometimes a court appoints one person to act for the estate. Sometimes all the heirs need to agree and sign.

A probate attorney can tell you which applies. Alabama and Georgia handle estates differently, so use an attorney who practices in the state where the house is. I work alongside your attorney so the listing is ready when you have the authority to sell.

2. Protect the house

• Call the insurance company. Tell them the house is empty. Many policies change or lapse when a house sits vacant.
• Keep the power and water on. Buyers’ inspectors and appraisers will need them.
• Change the locks and keep track of who has keys.

3. Keep the paperwork

Don’t throw away papers until someone has looked through them. Deeds, surveys, tax bills, insurance policies, and receipts for a roof or heating system all help the sale.

4. Decide what to do with the contents

Take what family wants first, with a deadline. Then sell, donate or hire a clean-out service. In an as-is sale, the contract can also say what stays with the house.

5. Decide whether to fix anything

Most heirs don’t want to manage a renovation, and they usually don’t need to. See Fix It or Sell It As-Is? Run the Math Both Ways. I’ll give you both columns on a net sheet so everyone who has a say can see the same numbers.

6. Ask a CPA about taxes

How an inherited house is taxed when it sells can be very different from a house you bought. Talk to a CPA before closing.

If you’re out of town

I can handle showings, send photos and video, meet inspectors and appraisers, and set up signing electronically, so you don’t have to travel for every step.

Melissa Harmel, Realtor®, CRS, ABR · eXp Realty, LLC · AL # 000164573-0 · GA # 451015 · Equal Housing Opportunity. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.