situation · 10 min read
Selling an inherited house: a step-by-step guide
The order of operations for selling a house you inherited, including probate, taxes, multi-heir agreement, and cleanout.
Step 1: Establish your authority to sell
You need to know whether the title is already in your name (joint tenancy, transfer-on-death deed) or whether it must pass through probate first. State laws vary widely — talk to a probate attorney.
Step 2: Understand the stepped-up cost basis
Inherited property gets a stepped-up cost basis to its date-of-death value. This usually makes the taxable gain on a near-immediate sale small. Get a date-of-death valuation in writing.
Step 3: Coordinate with co-heirs
If multiple heirs share the property, all must agree to the sale (or a court must order it). Get pricing in advance to inform the family conversation.
Step 4: Decide on listing vs. cash sale
Inherited property frequently fits the cash-sale profile: out-of-state heirs, no time for showings, condition uncertainty, cleanout you don't want to do.
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