Curious About Selling An Inherited House In Probate?
First, we’re so sorry for your loss. This can be a very challenging time for many reasons, and dealing with property ownership is tough at the best of times.
You’re thinking, “I now have an inherited house, what do I do with this house?” Should I rent it? Should I sell it? How should I sell it?
There are tons of options open for you, but…
… we can help.
We’re seasoned investors in Greater Los Angeles real estate. We are cash home buyers and we’re looking to buy several houses each month in the Southern California counties of Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura. Every month we get calls from those who have inherited a house and are looking to sell the house… so the info below are some tips to help you navigate the process.
I Inherited A Property, What To Do Next?
Here’s a few important considerations to help you make the right decision:
1) Make sure the mortgage is paid.
This may sound obvious, but if the person who left you a property also had a mortgage (unless it had no mortgage and was paid off, which is great!), you have to pay it (assuming you want to keep the property). Some banks will allow you to assume the loan, while others may force you to refinance into a new loan. If you don’t qualify for a new loan, renting may not be an option for you.
2) The investment is only as good as the manager.
If dealing with brokers, maintenance, tenants, rent collection and all the nuances of property management isn’t the best use of your time, hire a professional to help you or cash out now. Some people who inherit homes decide to keep the house and rent it for extra income. That’s a great strategy for sure. You just need to be prepared to manage the property and the hassles that can go along with tenants and toilets.
California Probate Attorney Summary For Selling House
3) Property ownership costs money.
It’s rare to see a building that’s been perfectly maintained. Most inherited houses need major improvements.
Consider hiring a professional property inspector to give you a detailed rundown on what you’ll need to do within the next five years, along with estimated costs. Surprises are very, very expensive.
4) Selling a property for top dollar costs money.
First of all, there is always that emotional bit of preparing a loved one’s house ready for sale – which most likely includes depersonalizing his or her rooms and also clearing out all the belongings… Then there is the cost of marketing the house in order to attract potential buyers.
If you don’t want to deal with making repairs, updating kitchens, improving landscaping and overall cleanup, don’t worry. Sometimes the prospect of removing household items and just cleaning up the property can be overwhelming. Homesmith Group can offer you a smooth and compassionate transition. We buy Greater Los Angeles houses for cash, in as-is condition. No repairs or cleaning are necessary and you can leave behind any furniture or unwanted items. We will handle it all for you.
5) If the market will continue to grow faster than your other options, hang on to the investment.
We can help you analyze the value of your property today versus the long-term benefits of renting. If you can use the equity in your property in another way that outpaces the performance of the real estate market, you should. If you don’t have anything better to do with the money and the neighborhood is rising in value, hang on – real estate can be a great investment if you know how to correctly read the market.
6) Uncle Sam wants a piece of the action.
Don’t forget to discuss your inheritance with tax and legal professionals before you take action. There are major property and income tax consequences that will dramatically impact the cost of owning your investment.
7) Consider all your options.
In certain situations we may be able to help you structure a lease-option agreement that allows you to rent and sell at the same time – capturing the best of both worlds. These kinds of deals can be complicated, but our investment experience can help you win.
8) Compare a few scenarios.
We’ll help you determine prices for any property near – if you sold it today without doing any work, the highest price the market will bear, and the projected value of keeping it as a rental (along with the costs).
Recent Articles On Inherited Houses And The Probate Process
For more information on Inherited Houses and the Probate Process in California, check out a few of our recent articles below:
- How to Avoid Probate Court In Southern California
- 5 Things To Know About Your Southern California Probate Property
- What To Expect During The Probate Process In Southern California