What to Do When Selling an Inherited Property: A Practical Checklist

Once you've decided to sell, there's a list of practical, on-the-ground tasks that make the process go smoother — separate from the legal steps of probate. Here's the checklist Real Time Home Buyers Metro Detroit walks families through.

Secure and Maintain the Property

• Change the locks. You don't know who else might have a key from years past. Rekeying is inexpensive and one of the first things worth doing.

• Notify your insurance company that the home is vacant. Standard homeowners policies often don't fully cover a vacant property, so this step matters for protecting the asset while it's being sold.

• Keep the utilities on. Electricity for showings, water to check for leaks, and HVAC running to prevent mold or frozen pipes are all worth the monthly cost while the home is on the market.

• Handle the lawn and basic upkeep. An overgrown yard or obvious neglect signals a vacant home to the wrong kind of attention and hurts curb appeal for buyers.

Get Your Paperwork in Order

• Gather legal documents. Death certificate, deed, probate filings, and anything else tied to the property — you'll need these repeatedly through the process.

• Get a professional appraisal. This establishes the stepped-up basis for tax purposes and gives you a real number to work from, rather than guessing at value.

• Save every receipt. Repairs, cleanup costs, and closing expenses can all factor into your eventual tax reporting, so keep documentation as you go.

Deal With the Belongings

• Sort items into categories. Typically: things going to heirs, things to sell or donate, and things to discard. This is often the most emotionally difficult part of the process, so give yourself and family members time.

• Consider a cleanout service or estate sale company if needed. Professional cleanouts typically run $1,000–$5,000 depending on the home's size; estate sale companies often take a percentage of proceeds but handle the entire process for you.

Decide How Much to Fix Before Selling

• Weigh repair costs against likely return. Deep cleaning and basic landscaping tend to pay for themselves. Major kitchen or bathroom remodels usually don't recover their full cost on an inherited home.

• Get quotes before committing to anything major. It's easy to overestimate what a repair will add to the sale price and underestimate what it'll cost.

• Know that selling as-is is a completely valid option. If the idea of managing contractors and repairs feels overwhelming, some buyers purchase homes exactly as they stand.

Line Up Your Team

• Real estate agent or a direct buyer, depending on your path

• Real estate attorney, especially if probate or multiple heirs are involved

• Tax professional (CPA), to help you understand your stepped-up basis and any gain

When You're Ready

Once the practical groundwork is done, Real Time Home Buyers Metro Detroit can help you skip most of this list entirely if speed and simplicity matter more to you than maximizing every last dollar — we buy inherited homes as-is, contents and all in many cases, without requiring repairs or showings. Call us at 248-509-5398 to talk through what that could look like for your situation.

This article is for general informational purposes only and isn't legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult the appropriate professional for guidance specific to your situation.