Inheriting a house in the Rio Grande Valley can feel overwhelming — especially when you’re already dealing with the loss of a loved one. Between probate court, property taxes, and family decisions, most heirs just want a simple, fast solution..
At Sunbelt Cash Offer, we’ve helped dozens of families in Hidalgo County and Cameron County sell inherited properties quickly, fairly, and without the stress of listing with an agent. Here’s everything you need to know.
Does an Inherited House Have to Go Through Probate in Texas?
In most cases, yes. When someone passes away and leaves real property behind, Texas law requires the estate to go through probate before the heirs can legally sell it. The probate process in Hidalgo County is handled through the Hidalgo County Probate Court in Edinburg, TX.
However, there are exceptions. If the property was held in a living trust, or if the deceased had a properly recorded transfer-on-death deed, the property can transfer directly to the heirs without probate.
If you’re unsure whether your inherited property needs to go through probate, consult a local probate attorney before taking any action.
How Long Does Probate Take in Texas?
A straightforward probate case in Texas typically takes 4 to 6 months. More complicated situations — multiple heirs, disputes, missing documents, or title defects — can take significantly longer.
During this time, the estate is still responsible for property taxes, insurance, and any maintenance costs. Many heirs find that holding onto a vacant inherited property costs more than they expected.
What Are Your Options for Selling an Inherited House in the RGV?
Once probate is complete and you have legal authority to sell, you have three main options:
Option 1 — List with a Real Estate Agent This gets you the highest possible price but takes 3 to 6 months, requires repairs and showings, and costs 5–6% in agent commissions plus closing costs.
Option 2 — Sell For Sale By Owner (FSBO) You avoid agent fees but handle all marketing, negotiations, and paperwork yourself. Most FSBO sellers in the RGV still end up working with a buyer’s agent, which means paying at least half the commission anyway.
Option 3 — Sell to a Cash Home Buyer This is the fastest option. A local cash buyer like Sunbelt Cash Offer can make you an offer within 24 hours, buy the property as-is with no repairs required, and close in as little as 7 days. There are no commissions, no fees, and no closing costs.
What If There Are Multiple Heirs?
This is one of the most common situations we see. When multiple siblings or family members inherit a property together, all heirs must agree to sell and sign the closing documents. If one heir is uncooperative or unreachable, the sale can be delayed or complicated.
We’ve worked through many of these situations in the RGV. Our team understands the family dynamics involved and works patiently to help all parties reach an agreement that works for everyone.
What Happens to the Property Taxes on an Inherited House?
Property taxes in Texas continue to accrue whether the house is occupied or not. If the previous owner had a homestead exemption, that exemption ends when they pass away. This means the tax bill on the inherited property may be higher than what the family was used to paying.
In some cases, heirs inherit a property that is already behind on property taxes. Sunbelt Cash Offer can still purchase properties with delinquent taxes — we handle the payoff at closing so you walk away clean.
We Buy Inherited Houses in the RGV — As-Is, for Cash
If you’ve inherited a house in McAllen, Edinburg, Pharr, Mission, Harlingen, San Benito, Weslaco, Donna, or anywhere in Hidalgo or Cameron County, Sunbelt Cash Offer wants to help.
We make fair cash offers, buy properties in any condition, and can work around probate timelines. You don’t need to clean the house, make repairs, or deal with showings.
Call us today at (956) 884-4441 or fill out the form on our website to get your free, no-obligation cash offer.