How to Sell an Inherited House in Florida
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Richard Haddad Executive EditorRichard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
If you’re selling an inherited house in Florida, you may be balancing the titling scales of emotions, money, and time. You’re likely eager to get sales agreements signed and move things forward as quickly as possible.
“Don’t sign anything until the judge signs off,” advises Amy B. Van Fossen, a Florida estate planning attorney with more than 20 years of experience. “Usually, it’s called an Order to Determine Homestead Status, which legally puts that ownership of the house into the kids’ [or other relatives’] names. Then you’re free to do whatever you want at that point.”
In this post, we’ll provide real-world insights on how to sell an inherited house in Florida. We’ll suggest clear steps and straightforward tips to help you decide which selling path is best for you.
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Editor’s note: This post is for educational purposes. If you need assistance navigating the legalities or tax implications of selling an inherited home in Florida, HomeLight encourages you to consult a professional advisor.
1. Confirm where the mortgage stands
As the new owner of the house, it’s essential to fully understand the status of the mortgage. You need to know the outstanding balance, monthly payments, interest rate, and other existing loan terms.
You’ll also need to surface any other liens or judgments attached to the property, such as unpaid taxes, a home equity line of credit, or a reverse mortgage. A title search will help determine what you need to address, and your next steps.
“Your real estate agent will likely order a title search immediately using their favorite title company,” explains Thomas Taranto, a top Florida real estate agent who works with 83% more single-family homes than the average agent in his Melbourne market. “The seller can choose the title agent; however, Realtors often have a lot more experience with title companies and know which ones are great at handling different situations.”
Taranto adds, “If there is any question whatsoever about if the title was properly conveyed to the heir, you should definitely get with an estate planning attorney.”
These experts can assist with legal requirements and filing procedures in Florida.
2. Anticipate your ownership timeline
Even if you know you’ll inherit the home, it may take some time before you legally own the property. Your ownership timeline depends on how you inherited the house, whether through a probate inheritance, living trust, or a transfer on death deed, also referred to as a beneficiary deed.
You’ll take ownership more swiftly if you’ve inherited the property through a living trust or life estate deed because no court approval is required. This allows you to sell the property immediately or at a time that fits your objectives.
“If an estate plan is in place, the next steps are much easier and usually less expensive,” Taranto says.
Probate inheritance, on the other hand, is far more complicated. It’s a judicial process that can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, depending on the complexity of the estate.
“Should a probate need to be performed, that time might be well used to clean out the property and do repairs to get it ready to list and sell,” Taranto suggests.
“But if an estate plan is not in place, an attorney needs to be consulted prior to listing the home for sale,” he cautions. “You would not want to sign listing paperwork and market a property before it’s confirmed who the new rightful owner is and that they legally have the right to list and sell the property.”
If you list too early before confirming ownership, Van Fossen says your attempt to move things along may actually stall or cancel a potential sale.
“Whenever you sign things early, what happens is — if you get a buyer — then the buyer gets frustrated because it might take weeks or months for all the legal stuff to get ironed out, and then the buyer may back out.”
3. With multiple heirs, nominate a personal representative
When multiple heirs are involved, you’ll need to identify all parties and determine the executor. In Flordia, this person is known as the personal representative. This individual will have the authority to make decisions regarding the property and is tasked with its upkeep and security until it’s sold.
If the deceased did not name an executor in their will, the heirs must agree on a personal representative. This should be someone who is emotionally and practically equipped to handle the responsibilities involved.
Van Fossen says the sooner this is done, the better. “A big issue Tom and I witnessed is when one person passed away, and during the probate process, one of the beneficiaries passed away shortly after. So both the original homeowner, as well as one of the beneficiaries, had to go through the probate process. That took a couple of years to get all of those things settled.”
4. Open an estate account to manage shared assets
The personal representative should set up a bank account in the name of the deceased’s estate. This account will temporarily hold all assets, including proceeds from the home sale and any ongoing income.
The estate account is also used to pay off the deceased’s financial obligations, such as mortgage payments, property taxes, and any expenses related to probate. This ensures that all financial matters are managed efficiently and transparently.
5. Get a property assessment
As with any asset, it’s wise to know the value and condition of the home. Once you have taken ownership, consider investing in a home inspection or appraisal. You can start with a free preliminary value assessment using HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator tool.
An experienced Realtor can also provide a comparative market analysis (CMA), which is a detailed report that uses data from recently sold homes in the area to give you an accurate selling price.
6. Determine a method of sale
Sell as-is to a cash buyer: Selling an inherited home on the market often requires extensive time and effort, including repairs, staging, marketing, and negotiations. During this period, heirs are responsible for ongoing expenses like mortgage payments, property taxes, and utility bills.
For a faster sale, consider selling the house as-is directly to a cash buyer. While this option may yield a lower sale price, it offers speed and convenience, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the process. HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform provides no-obligation, all-cash offers for homes in nearly any condition, allowing you to skip repairs and close in as little as 10 days.
Partner with an agent with probate experience: If you prefer to list the house on the market, hire a top real estate agent with experience in probate sales. This approach can maximize the proceeds for the heirs. HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool can connect you with top-performing agents who specialize in probate sales.
“If you know that you are the official heir and that the title has changed hands, then the next step would be to identify your real estate agent who has experience with inherited properties, out-of-state sellers, downsizing, hoarder houses, estate sales, junk removal, repairs, etc.,” Taranto says.
Selling an inherited home can be emotionally challenging, but an experienced agent can simplify the process and provide peace of mind.
Consult With an Experienced Agent in Your Market
HomeLight’s free Agent Match tool can connect you with a top-performing agent to help you make the best decisions about selling a house you have inherited. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
7. Enlist the help of a mediator if needed
When multiple heirs are involved, disagreements can arise. If your family is struggling to agree on the home sale, a mediator can help resolve conflicts.
A mediator can assist in finding solutions to disputes over the sale, such as disagreements on renovations, selecting an agent, or handling tenants. This can save time and reduce expenses.
For instance, one heir might be reluctant to sell due to sentimental attachments or disagreements over the sale price or method. A mediator can facilitate discussions and help the family reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Taranto says proper planning by homeowners can eliminate the need for a mediator. “It seems the vast majority of people do not have a proper estate plan in place prior to needing it. So, the best advice is to consult with an estate planning attorney to prepare an estate plan prior to needing it. This might include a will, a trust, and a durable power of attorney.”
8. Discard, donate, or sell unwanted items
“The next biggest issue is stuff,” Taranto says, “Senior citizens often have acquired a lot of stuff during their years, and many seniors in Florida have adult children that live in other states. Dealing with a house full of stuff and being in another state creates a number of issues.”
Create a decluttering plan with other heirs and family members to tackle the task over a few weekends. You can hire a professional estate sale company to manage and promote an estate sale or sell items individually through a garage sale and online platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and OfferUp.
“The best way to overcome this is to work with a real estate agent who has years of experience in dealing with exactly this type of sale; an agent who supports the sorting, sale, and removal of stuff, as well as needed repairs,” Taranto suggests.
Although decluttering a loved one’s home can be emotionally challenging, it’s an important step for a swift and successful sale (and a higher selling price). According to top real estate agents surveyed by HomeLight, decluttering can add approximately $8,000 to a home’s value.
9. If listing, prepare the property for sale
When preparing the home for sale, focus on light, cosmetic upgrades rather than full renovations. Consult your real estate agent for recommended upgrades that can enhance the property’s value and marketability.
“We’ve seen a lot of pretty messy situations,” Van Fossen recalls. “If you don’t hire a Realtor that has the ability to jump in and connect the dots with the appropriate people to do the work, it just drags it out that much longer, especially in Florida where most of the kids are out of state.”
Even a small investment can make a significant difference with the right guidance. This might include professional cleaning, painting, yard work, and improving the entryway to boost curb appeal. An experienced agent can also advise on which repairs to prioritize and which to skip.
Here are some simple, high-impact projects to help sell your inherited Florida house faster:
- Hire a landscaper to clean up the lawn and add new mulch and flowers.
- Put a fresh coat of paint on the front door.
- Replace aged carpet and linoleum with vinyl wood flooring.
- Remove worn window valances, furniture covers, and other dated details.
- Paint the walls a light, neutral color (one of the best ROI improvements).
- Replace loose or broken fixtures such as light switches, knobs, and handles.
- Fix leaks and apply new caulk to sinks and showers.
“Clean as much as possible. New paint and professional staging are great if there is a budget for that. Mulching and landscaping are also great value for the money,” Taranto recommends.
10. Sell the home
Once the property is decluttered, updated, and ready for market, it’s time to sell the home. Work closely with your real estate agent to set a competitive price and create an effective marketing strategy. This may include professional photography, virtual tours, and listing the property on multiple online platforms.
Your agent will help schedule and conduct showings, negotiate offers, and handle all the paperwork involved in the sale.
If you opt for an all-cash sale through Simple Sale, you can get started by answering a few questions about the home and your selling timeline. You’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
FAQs on selling an inherited house in Florida
No, Florida does not have an inheritance or estate tax. However, depending on how long you hold the property or the level of improvements you make, you may be subject to capital gains tax on the sale. Consult a tax professional for specifics based on your situation.
The probate process can take from two or three months to over a year, depending on the estate’s complexity. A common timeline in Florida is six to nine months.
Some common pitfalls to avoid include not understanding the mortgage status, neglecting proper legal procedures, failing to get a proper valuation, setting an unrealistic list price, and skipping repairs that could increase value, and letting emotions dictate your decisions.
There is no strict time limit, but executors should act within a reasonable timeframe and in the best interest of the estate.
Selling FSBO (For Sale By Owner) can save on agent commissions but may be more time-consuming and challenging. In the end, you may not save the money you expected. According to the National Association of Realtors, FSBO homes sold last year at a median of $310,000, considerably lower than agent-assisted homes with a median of $405,000. If you decide to sell by owner, you’ll want to carefully research the market and the legal requirements.
The best time to sell an inherited house in Florida depends on your selling objectives and the home’s location. There may be a better month to sell fast vs. the best time to sell for a higher price. Many Florida markets are most active in the spring and summer months when buyer demand is highest. You can check the best time to sell in your city using HomeLight’s Best Time to Sell Calculator.
Avoid extensive renovations. Focus on cosmetic upgrades like painting, landscaping, and minor repairs that offer high returns. See our post: Don’t Fix These 7 Things When Selling Your House.
Ready to sell your inherited house in Florida?
Selling an inherited house in Florida can be a complex process, but with the right guidance, it can shift from a heavy burden to a lifting blessing.
“Often, a value-add for getting a great real estate agent is their extended network of vendors,” Taranto says. “A great agent will know the great title company, the great estate planning attorney, a cleaner, an estate sale company, a junk removal company, a landscaper, etc. A great Realtor is an expert problem solver — and can really reduce stress for a family in a time of difficulty.”
Whether you need an experienced real estate agent or are looking for a quick cash offer, HomeLight can help.
Use HomeLight’s Agent Match tool to connect with top-performing agents experienced in probate sales. If you prefer a fast, convenient sale, consider HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform for a no-obligation, all-cash offer.
Header Image Source: (Brian Zajac / Unsplash)
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