Selling a House in Probate

When a deceased person’s estate includes real estate, family members often look to you; converting that property to cash quickly simplifies managing the person’s estate. With buy homes, you can:

Receive a written cash offer in as little as 10 minutes—no obligation, no upfront fees.
Sell the probate property as-is and close in as few as 14 days once your court issues Letters of Administration.
Skip repairs, showings, and real-estate commissions so more money flows to heirs.
Avoid probate delays and potential buyer fallout—we pay in cash, not with a financed mortgage loan.

Whether you’re navigating probate proceedings for the first time or trying to finish an intestate estate with no legal will, our nationwide team helps executors and administrators turn estate assets into cash—quickly and compliantly.

Sell Your Home for Cash

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Why Real Estate Enters the Probate Process

A home becomes a probate asset when the decedent’s assets aren’t placed in a living trust or held in joint ownership with rights of survivorship. In most states, the probate court must:

Verify a valid will (or appoint an administrator if there isn’t one).
Issue legal power—Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration—authorizing you to act.
Ensure outstanding debts, estate taxes, and court costs are paid before distributing assets to heirs.

Selling a house in probate satisfies creditors, prevents costly maintenance, and lets beneficiaries receive their inheritance sooner.

iBuyHomes: Probate Sale Specialists Since 2001

For more than two decades, iBuyHomes has purchased 2,000+ probate properties across the U.S. Our A+ BBB rating, zero-pressure approach, and partnerships with probate lawyers and title companies mean you get:

Full transparency—a line-item breakdown comparing our offer with fair-market listing costs.
No legal surprises—we coordinate with your attorney or the probate division clerk for required court approval.
Guaranteed to close—our funds are wired; there’s no risk the lender or servicer will back out.

Property Types We Purchase How to Sell a Probate House in 5 Clear Steps-Is

Open the probate case
File the petition and original will (if any) with the local probate division; the court assigns a case number.
Receive your Letters
Once appointed, you gain legal power to list or sell the property.
Get an appraisal & notify heirs
Many states require an independent opinion of fair market value plus written notice to beneficiaries.
Accept a cash offer
Provide iBuyHomes with the appraisal, loan documents (if a mortgage exists), and proof of authority. We send a written agreement within minutes.
Close & distribute funds
After any required court confirmation hearing, our title company pays off liens, and mortgage debt, and deposits net proceeds into the estate bank account for distribution.

What Makes a Cash Probate Sale Stress-Free

As-Is Purchase – No repairs or inspections; we buy even if the roof leaks.
Zero Commissions or Upfront Fees – You avoid the 6 % agent fee and pricey clean-outs.
Fast Court Packet – We provide the purchase agreement, appraisal addendum, and buyer declarations your probate court wants.
Flexible Closing Date – Need 30 days for a surviving spouse to relocate? No problem.
Clear Communication – One dedicated transaction coordinator answers all phone calls and emails—no bouncing between other parties.

Executor’s Decision Matrix

When you’re having trouble making deadlines or heirs prefer speed, a cash offer wins every time.

Option	Timeline	Costs	Court Involvement	Risk to Estate
Traditional Listing	60–120+ days	Repairs, 6% commission	Petition to confirm the sale	Financed buyers may cancel
Overbid Auction	90+ days	Auctioneer fee	Mandatory confirmation hearing	Lower final price
Cash Sale to iBuyHomes	14–30 days	$0 repairs, $0 commission	Streamlined approval	Guaranteed funds

Avoid These Probate Sale Mistakes

Signing with unlicensed “probate specialists.” Demand credentials; many charge a hefty fee to “help” but simply flip the contract.
Assuming you can avoid probate on jointly-owned property without paperwork—state law differs.
Ignoring unpaid taxes or utility liens. They cloud title and stall closing.
Falling for “overbid” foreclosure rescue scams. Verify all potential buyers through the court and a private attorney.

Where the Money Goes After Closing

Mortgage lender payoff (if any)
Estate taxes and court costs
Outstanding debts—credit cards, medical bills, personal loans
Distribution of remaining property value to heirs per the will or intestacy law

Because iBuyHomes covers standard closing charges, every extra dollar moves to step 4 rather than optional expenses.

Our Sellers Recommend ibuyhomes to Friends and Family

Navigating a Probate House Sale? We Can Help.

What is probate, and why is it necessary for a house sale after a person dies?

Probate, or probate administration, is the legal process supervised by a court to manage and distribute a deceased person’s assets after their death. This process is generally required when a deceased person owns real estate, like a house, in their name alone. It ensures that debts of the decedent’s estate are paid, and the remaining deceased’s assets, including other property, are transferred to the rightful heirs or beneficiaries. The court confirms the authority of the executor named in the will (or an administrator if there’s no will) to handle these matters, including the house sale.

Do I need court approval to sell the house if it's part of a decedent's estate?

Yes, for most estates, court oversight is a key part of the probate administration. To sell the house, the person named as the executor or administrator (the personal representative) will typically need to obtain court permission. This might involve a “Notice of Proposed Action” or a brief confirmation hearing, especially for the house sale. iBuyHomes is experienced with this legal process and can supply all necessary documents your probate lawyer or the court requests.

Can I agree to sell the house before the entire probate process is complete?

Often, yes. Once the court has officially appointed you as the executor or administrator and you’ve received “Letters Testamentary” or “Letters of Administration,” you usually have the authority to enter into a sale agreement. The proceeds from the house sale are typically held in an estate account until the probate administration is finalized and the court approves the distribution of all the deceased person’s assets and any other assets.

The house has a reverse mortgage or tax liens. How does that affect selling during probate?

This is common with properties in a decedent’s estate. Our experienced title team will contact the relevant loan servicers and tax authorities to order payoff statements. We then ensure these liens are cleared at closing. This is part of our service and means no extra work for the executor named as they fulfills his or her duties in managing the deceased’s assets.

How quickly can iBuyHomes complete a house sale for a property in probate? Is there a simplified probate process?

Once the legal authority of the executor named (or administrator) is confirmed by the court, we can often close the house sale in as little as 14 days. This is significantly faster than the typical 90-day (or longer) average for probate sales on the traditional market. While some states offer a simplified probate process for smaller estates, selling for cash directly to us streamlines the sale portion regardless of the specific probate path, helping to settle the decedent’s estate more quickly. Different laws apply in different jurisdictions, but our aim is always speed and efficiency.

Someone recently died, and I'm an heir. Will I owe capital gains tax on my share of the house sale?

When a testator dies (the person who made the will), beneficiaries usually receive a “stepped-up basis” on inherited property. This means the property’s value for tax purposes is typically reset to its fair market value at the date of death. This can minimize or even eliminate capital gains tax on the house sale, especially if it’s sold relatively soon after the death. However, tax laws can be complex, so it’s always best to consult a CPA for personalized advice regarding the decedent’s estate and your specific situation with other assets. This is different from assets passed during a grantor’s lifetime through a trust, which may have different tax implications.

What if there's a surviving owner on the property deed? Does it still go through probate?

If the deceased person owned the property with another person as “joint tenants with right of survivorship” or as “community property with right of survivorship” (where allowed), the surviving owner typically inherits the property automatically outside of the probate process called probate. However, if the property was owned as “tenants in common” or solely by the deceased, it would generally be subject to probate administration. We can help you determine the ownership status.

How do I start the process of selling a probate house to iBuyHomes?

It’s simple. Call our toll-free line at 866-989-1746 or fill out the short form on our website. We understand you might be dealing with a lot after a loved one recently died. We’ll review any probate paperwork you have, discuss the situation regarding the deceased person’s assets, and can often provide a no-obligation cash offer for the house sale the same day. Our goal is to make this part of settling the decedent’s estate as smooth as possible.

Ready to Stop Foreclosure Fast?

Call 866-989-1746 or fill out our quick form to receive your no-obligation cash offer within minutes and keep foreclosure off your record—the iBuyHomes way.