Sell an Inherited House Fast in Maryland, Virginia and DC
Inherited a house you can't keep, can't visit or can't agree on? We buy inherited houses as-is, belongings included, and work with your executor or estate attorney. Out-of-state heirs never need to travel. Get a cash offer in 24 hours and close in as little as 3 days. Whatever your situation, we help you sell your house fast in any situation.
We Buy As-Is
- 1986Buying DMV houses since
- 3,000+Homes purchased
- 24hrCash offer turnaround
- 3 daysClose as quickly as
Can You Sell an Inherited House Before Probate Ends?
Often yes, once someone has legal authority to sign the deed.
You don't have to wait for the estate to close. As soon as the right person is appointed, we can make an offer and set a closing date.
Who Has Authority to Sell: Executor or Personal Representative
Usually the executor or personal representative named by the court. Their appointment letter is what the title company needs.
When Every Heir Must Sign
If no one has power to sell, or there is no will, every heir on title usually signs. We work with each of them.
Probate and Inherited Houses in MD, VA and DC
Each jurisdiction has its own court and its own rules on who can sign. Here is the short version.
| Maryland | Virginia | Washington DC | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where probate opens | Register of Wills, by county | Circuit Court Clerk | DC Superior Court, Probate Division |
| Who signs | Personal representative | Executor with a power of sale, or all heirs | Personal representative |
| Watch for | Will limits on selling | One-year creditor rule after death | Court limits in supervised estates |
Maryland: Register of Wills and Personal Representative
Once appointed, the personal representative can usually sell. Learn how we sell your house fast in Maryland.
Virginia: Circuit Court Clerk and Qualified Executor
Sales in the first year may need funds held for creditors. See how we sell your house fast in Virginia.
Washington DC: Superior Court Probate Division
The appointed personal representative signs for the estate. See how we sell your house fast in Washington DC.
General information, not legal advice. Confirm authority to sell with your estate attorney.
We Buy As-Is, Belongings Included
You don't have to empty, clean or fix anything.
- Furniture and belongings can stay
- No repairs, even on a dated home. We also sell a house that needs repairs
- We can pay for movers for items you keep
Keep What Matters, Leave the Rest
Take the photos and keepsakes. We handle everything else. Tenants in the home? We also sell a rental property with tenants in place.
Out-of-State Heirs: Remote Signing and Mobile Notary
Heirs can sign from home. A mobile notary comes to you, so nobody has to travel.
Splitting the Proceeds Between Heirs
One sale, one settlement statement, a clear split.
Paying Off the Mortgage, Liens and Back Taxes First
Any mortgage, unpaid property taxes or liens are paid at closing. You don't need cash to catch up first.
How the Net Amount Is Divided
What is left goes to the estate, then to heirs by the will or state law. Read stories from heirs we've helped.
Example: Three Heirs, One House
| Cash sale price | $360,000 |
|---|---|
| Remaining mortgage | −$95,000 |
| Back taxes paid at closing | −$5,000 |
| Commission and closing costs | $0 |
| Each of 3 heirs | About $86,600 |
Illustrative only. Estate expenses and the will can change the split.
Taxes When You Sell an Inherited House
Stepped-Up Basis in Plain English
For tax purposes, your cost is usually the home's value on the date of death, not what it was bought for decades ago.
Why Selling Soon Often Means Little Capital Gain
If you sell close to that value, the taxable gain is often small or zero.
General information, not tax advice. Ask your CPA about your situation.
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Get a Cash Offer on Your Property
Wherever you are in Maryland, Virginia or DC, tell us about your home. We respond within 24 hours with a free, no-obligation cash offer.
- ✓No repairs, listing or showings
- ✓No fees, no commissions
- ✓We pay 100% of closing costs
- ✓Close in as little as 3 days
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Every Situation We Help With
Each situation has its own page with the details, timelines and answers. See all of them on Who We Help.
Foreclosure
Behind on payments? Sell before the auction and protect your credit and equity.
Learn more
Rental Property
Difficult tenants or ready to exit? We buy rentals with tenants in place.
Learn more
Relocation
Moving for work or family? We line the closing up with your move date.
Learn more
House Needs Repairs
We buy as-is. You never fix, paint or update a thing.
Learn more
Divorce
One fair offer, one closing and a clean split, without months of showings.
Learn moreNot Sure Which One Fits?
Vacant or distressed home, or something else entirely? Tell us what is going on and we will say plainly whether we can buy it.
Talk to UsFrequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what homeowners ask us most.
Can I sell before probate closes?
Often yes, once a personal representative or executor has been appointed and has authority to sell. You don't need to wait for the estate to close. The title company only needs the court's appointment letter and, where required, the heirs' consent. We can make an offer right away and set closing for when the paperwork is ready, so carrying costs stop sooner.
Do all heirs have to agree?
It depends on who holds legal authority to sell. If the will gives the executor a power of sale, the executor can usually sign alone. If there is no will or no power of sale, every heir on title typically has to sign the deed. We speak with each heir separately, answer their questions and keep everyone informed until closing.
Do I need to clean out the house?
No, you don't need to clean out anything before we buy. Take the photos, keepsakes and furniture you want, and leave the rest. We handle everything left behind after closing. Many families tell us this is the biggest relief, because emptying a parent's home while grieving can take months and cost thousands in dumpsters and haulers. We would rather you spend that time with family.
Can I sell if I live out of state?
Yes, out-of-state heirs sell to us all the time without traveling. We send documents electronically and arrange a mobile notary to meet you at home or at work. You can tour the house virtually, review the offer by phone and receive your share by wire transfer. Several of our reviews come from heirs who live hours away and never visited the house.
What if the house still has a mortgage?
The mortgage is paid off from the sale proceeds at closing. Our title company requests the payoff amount from the lender and pays it in full, so heirs never need to bring cash. Keep making payments if you can until closing, because a mortgage on an inherited house can still go into default if payments stop for months. Tell us about the loan early and we will plan around it.
Do I pay capital gains on an inherited house?
Usually very little, because of the stepped-up basis. Your tax cost is generally the home's value on the date of death, so if you sell for about that amount, the gain is small or zero. Selling much later, after prices rise, can create a taxable gain. This is general information, not tax advice, so confirm the details with your CPA before you file.
What if there are back taxes or liens?
Back property taxes, water bills and most liens are paid from the sale proceeds at closing. The title company finds every lien during its search and gets exact payoff figures before settlement. You see each amount on the settlement statement before you sign. In one recent sale, the family's unpaid back taxes were cleared at closing without any money from them.
How long does the sale take?
Once someone has authority to sign, we can close in as little as 3 days, though most estate sales take one to three weeks. The timeline usually depends on the probate paperwork, not on us. We give you a cash offer within 24 hours and back every contract with a $10,000 non-refundable deposit, so the sale is certain once you sign.
Get a Cash Offer on the Inherited House
Tell us about the property and the estate. We respond within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk to the owner? Call Ed's cell at (301) 518-8000.
