Steps to Selling an Inherited Property in North Carolina

4. Select an executor (if multiple heirs)

If there are multiple heirs involved, you’ll need to select what’s known as an executor or personal representative. In many cases, the deceased North Carolina homeowner will name an executor in their will. But if not, the heirs must all agree on who this person should be and legally name them as the executor with the authority to make fiduciary and legal decisions about the home.

The chosen executor will be tasked with maintaining the upkeep of the home and property, including paying bills and keeping it secure until it’s sold. This person should be emotionally and practically equipped to handle these responsibilities.

The representative should also confirm the type of insurance you have on the property,” Hillman advises. “Make sure you have an open discussion with the insurance carrier to ensure that the property is properly covered.”

5. Open an estate account to manage shared assets

This recommended step can help avoid disagreements within the family and streamline the pre-sale process. The personal representative can set up a bank account in the name of the deceased’s estate. This account will temporarily hold all assets, including proceeds from the property sale and any ongoing income.

The estate account should also be used to pay the deceased’s financial obligations, such as mortgage payments, required property taxes, and other expenses related to the probate process. This step ensures that all financial matters are managed efficiently and with a transparent paper trail.

6. Get a property assessment

It is important to know the value and condition of your inherited North Carolina home. Once you have legally established ownership of the property, consider hiring a professional home appraiser and inspector. To get a preliminary estimate of value today, use a free tool like HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator.

To obtain a more accurate value estimate that can help you set a list price, contact a reputable real estate agent and request a comparative market analysis (CMA). This detailed report uses data from recently sold properties near the North Carolina home to give you a value estimate that fits the current local market.

Many agents will provide a CMA for free as part of a no-obligation consultation.

7. Select a home-selling method

A common challenge when selling an inherited property is the need for repairs. Another challenge is managing repairs and preparations from out of state. The executor must select the selling method that best fits their circumstance.

This typically involves deciding between a fast, convenient method and a slower, but more profitable method. Let’s take a brief look at the two most common selling options:

Sell as-is to a cash buyer: Selling your inherited North Carolina home on the market typically requires time, effort, and a fair amount of patience. You’ll need to plan for repairs, staging, marketing, and back-and-forth negotiations with potential homebuyers. During this time, heirs are responsible for all ongoing expenses like mortgage payments, taxes, and utility bills.

For a faster, streamlined sale, you might consider selling your inherited house as-is directly to a North Carolina house-buying company. While this method typically results in a lower selling price and fewer proceeds, it offers unmatched speed and convenience.

HomeLight’s Simple Sale platform gives you access to the largest network of trusted cash buyers in the nation. You can get a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours, allowing you to skip repairs and close the sale in as few as 10 days.

Partner with a top agent: If you’re looking for a more profitable sale, Hillman recommends you list your inherited house on the market with a seasoned local agent. The value of employing a top agent can be measured in more ways than one.

“When we start talking about maximizing value, this involves understanding what the heirs want,” she explains. “Sometimes, it’s not about just maximizing financial value; it’s about making sure their process is expedited as quickly as possible. So first and foremost, find a trusted real estate broker.”

Hillman says you can avoid pitfalls and frustration if you partner with a reputable agent right from the start. “For instance, I had someone call me two days after their mother passed away. We scheduled a meeting so we can assess what needs to be done at the house.”

HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform can connect you with top-rated North Carolina agents who specialize in selling inherited homes and have a high sale-to-list ratio — meaning the percentage that a home sells for relative to its original asking price.

A proven agent can also significantly reduce the stress of selling your inherited home and simplify the entire process, giving you and your family peace of mind.

8. Consider a mediator

When multiple heirs are involved in a home sale, emotions can run high, leading to disagreements and delays. If your family is struggling to agree on how, when, or if to sell the inherited property, hiring a mediator can help resolve family conflicts.

A mediator can also identify agreeable solutions about what to fix, select an agent, or deal with tenants if the home is currently rented.

This expert go-between can also save you time and money. For example, one heir might be reluctant to sell the home due to strong sentimental attachments. Another may disagree about the property’s selling price. An unbiased mediator can steer all heirs toward an acceptable compromise and move the sale forward.

9. Donate, discard, or sell unwanted items

Another common challenge you might face with an inherited property is figuring out what to do with all the accumulated stuff in the house. Consider adding an estate sale to your cleaning and decluttering plan. Depending on the size of the estate, you may want to hire a professional North Carolina estate sale company to manage and promote the sale.

Although clearing out a loved one’s longtime home can be emotionally difficult, it’s a vital step if you want a prompt and profitable sale. According to more than 1,000 top agents surveyed by HomeLight, decluttering can help a property sell for as much as $8,000 more, on average.

10. If listing on the market, prepare the home for sale

When preparing your inherited property for sale, an agent can make an immense difference.

“When you’re working with a trusted real estate broker, they’re able to give you a really good idea of what the local real estate market is doing,” Hillman says. “They’ll know what would make sense to repair or if an as-is sale is better for your situation. Not everyone wants the highest dollar value. Some people just want the sale done in X amount of time.”

Hillman suggests sellers follow their agent’s lead. “It’s really just coming up with a good plan. Some homes are in very good condition, and others have some deferred maintenance issues, depending on what the health issues were and things like that.”

A seasoned agent will know what upgrades buyers in the market are looking for — and which repairs will increase the home’s overall value and marketability. Your agent may suggest you focus on lighter cosmetic improvements rather than major renovations.

Below are some high-impact preparations that will help boost the property’s curb appeal so it can sell faster and for more money:

• Employ a landscaper to clean and beautify outside areas.
• Add fresh mulch and plant bright flowers.
• Give the front entryway or door a fresh coat of paint.
• Clean or replace worn-out carpet and linoleum floors.
• Remove or replace tattered furniture covers and faded window valances.
• Paint interior walls in a light, neutral color (this is a high ROI item).
• Replace any broken fixtures (light switches, knobs, or handles).
• Fix all leaks and apply new caulk to showers and bathtubs.
• Replace ragged curtains and torn window screens.

11. Sell your inherited North Carolina property

Once the home is cleaned, decluttered, and ready to list on the market, it’s time to work with your agent to set a competitive listing price and get the property sold. Your agent’s marketing plan should include high-quality professional photos, virtual walk-through or video tours, open houses, showings, and listing the home on multiple online platforms.

As you approach the finish line, your agent will negotiate purchase offers and handle all the necessary documents. They can also provide valuable insights for you to complete the required North Carolina Seller Disclosure Statement.

If you decide a speedy cash sale is a more convenient selling method, you can request an offer from Simple Sale. Answer a few questions about the inherited North Carolina property and your selling timeline, and you’ll receive a no-obligation cash offer in 24 hours.

Ready to sell your inherited property in North Carolina?

Selling an inherited property in North Carolina might feel overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance, it can shift from a time-consuming burden to a financial blessing. Closing the home sale might also bring you and your family some much-needed emotional healing.

Hillman offers this closing advice: “One of the biggest things we run into is when there are multiple heirs, and everyone is not on the same page. They’re not agreeing on how to price the home, or what repairs need to be made.”

This is where a top agent can help with expert insights. Use HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform to connect with a trusted, performance-proven North Carolina agent with a track record of selling inherited homes. Or, if you prefer a swift, less complicated sale, use HomeLight’s Simple Sale to request a no-obligation, cash offer today.

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