Inheriting a home can be a blessing — but it can also be a major responsibility.
Many Texans find themselves suddenly owning a property after the death of a loved one, and while the gesture is meaningful, the reality often brings unexpected costs, taxes, and maintenance headaches.
If you’ve recently inherited a house in McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, Harlingen, Brownsville, or Dallas, you may be wondering:
- “What do I do with this house?”
- “Can I sell it even if it’s still in probate?”
- “How do I divide the proceeds with my family?”
At Sunbelt Cash Offer, we’ve helped countless families across Texas sell inherited houses quickly, fairly, and without the stress of repairs or long waiting periods.
This complete guide explains everything you need to know about selling an inherited home in Texas — from understanding probate to avoiding tax complications and closing fast for cash.
Understanding What Happens When You Inherit a House
When a loved one passes away and leaves you a property, you typically become a beneficiary of their estate. However, you don’t automatically have full ownership rights until the estate goes through a legal process called probate.
What Is Probate in Texas?
Probate is the court-supervised process of verifying the deceased person’s will, settling debts, and distributing assets (like real estate) to heirs.
The process ensures that:
- The will is valid.
- All debts and taxes are paid.
- The property is transferred legally to the rightful heirs.
In Texas, probate can take anywhere from 30 days to several months depending on the complexity of the estate.
The Challenges of Inheriting a House
While it may sound simple at first, inheriting a property often comes with emotional and financial burdens, such as:
- Property taxes and insurance that must be paid immediately.
- Maintenance and repairs on an older or neglected home.
- Disagreements among heirs on what to do with the property.
- Legal complications if the house is still in probate.
- Mortgage or liens that remain attached to the property.
Many families realize that keeping the home is not practical — especially if they already have their own residence or live out of town.
That’s when selling the property becomes the best and most efficient solution.
Can You Sell an Inherited House Before Probate Is Complete?
This is one of the most common questions we hear from Texas families.
The short answer is: Yes — but with conditions.
You can’t transfer ownership or close on a sale until the court officially appoints an executor or administrator of the estate. Once that’s done, the executor has the legal authority to sell the property — either to pay debts or distribute proceeds to heirs.
If all heirs agree, a cash sale can often move forward much faster than a traditional MLS listing, since it doesn’t rely on bank financing or appraisals.
Sunbelt Cash Offer works directly with heirs, attorneys, and title companies to ensure that everything is done legally and smoothly, even if the house is still in probate.
Why Selling to a Cash Buyer Makes Sense for Inherited Homes
Inherited houses often come with unique challenges — and selling them on the open market can create unnecessary stress. Here’s why many families in Texas choose a cash buyer instead:
1. No Repairs or Cleanup Required
Inherited homes are often older, cluttered, or need significant repairs. We buy them as-is — so you don’t have to spend a penny on cleaning, fixing, or remodeling.
2. Fast Closing Timeline
While traditional listings can take months, we can close in as little as 7 days. That means you can settle the estate quickly and divide proceeds among heirs sooner.
3. Avoid Realtor Commissions and Fees
Selling through an agent can cost you 6% in commissions plus closing costs. With us, there are no fees or hidden deductions — you get the full offer amount.
4. Simplify Family Decisions
Multiple heirs often means multiple opinions. A quick cash offer creates a clear, neutral solution that everyone can agree on.
5. Avoid Ongoing Expenses
Every month you hold onto the home, you’re paying for taxes, utilities, and maintenance. A fast sale helps you avoid those carrying costs.
The Step-by-Step Process to Sell an Inherited House in Texas
We’ve simplified the process to make it as stress-free as possible.
Step 1: Confirm Ownership or Executor Status
If you’re the executor named in the will, or if the probate court has appointed you, you can move forward with the sale.
Step 2: Contact Sunbelt Cash Offer
Call us or fill out our online form. We’ll gather some details about the property and your timeline.
Step 3: Get a Fair Cash Offer
We’ll evaluate the property and make a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours.
Step 4: Review and Accept
Once you accept, we handle all paperwork with a local title company to ensure everything is legally sound.
Step 5: Close and Get Paid
You pick the closing date — we can close in as little as 7 days and pay you in full at closing.
Tax Considerations When Selling an Inherited Home in Texas
One of the biggest concerns families have is tax liability after selling an inherited property. Here’s what you should know:
1. Step-Up in Basis
When you inherit a property, its “tax basis” resets to the fair market value at the time of the owner’s death, not what they originally paid for it.
That means if your parent bought the house for $100,000 years ago and it’s worth $250,000 today, you’ll only owe taxes on any gain above $250,000 when you sell.
2. Capital Gains Taxes
If you sell soon after inheriting, your capital gains tax is usually minimal because the value likely hasn’t changed much since the step-up date.
3. Property Taxes
You’ll still need to pay annual property taxes until the sale is complete, which is another reason a fast sale is ideal.
4. Inheritance Taxes
Good news: Texas does not have a state inheritance tax or estate tax.
Common Situations We Help Families With
We’ve helped homeowners across Texas sell inherited houses in all kinds of situations, including:
- Properties stuck in probate
- Multiple heirs who can’t agree
- Homes with code violations or liens
- Houses left vacant or vandalized
- Out-of-state owners who can’t manage the property
- Homes needing major repairs or updates
Whatever your situation, our goal is to provide a fair, fast, and respectful solution.
Real Example: Selling an Inherited Home in Edinburg, TX
A family in Edinburg inherited their parents’ home after their mother passed away. The property had been vacant for months, and the siblings disagreed about what to do.
They contacted Sunbelt Cash Offer, and after viewing the home, we made a fair cash offer the same day. All heirs agreed to sell, and we closed within 10 days.
The family used the proceeds to pay off remaining estate debts and split the rest evenly — with no conflicts, no repairs, and no waiting.
Avoiding Common Mistakes When Selling an Inherited House
Before you list or sell, here are a few key mistakes to avoid:
- Skipping the probate process.
Selling before probate approval can create legal issues with title transfer. - Disagreeing among heirs.
Always reach consensus before accepting an offer to avoid disputes later. - Overestimating the home’s condition or value.
Many inherited homes need more work than expected; cash buyers factor that in. - Letting the house sit vacant too long.
Empty homes attract theft, code issues, and costly damage. - Paying too much for repairs or agent commissions.
Don’t spend money you don’t need to — sell as-is for cash instead.
Why Choose Sunbelt Cash Offer
When you’re dealing with loss and legal complexity, you deserve a company that treats you with honesty, respect, and transparency.
Here’s what sets us apart:
✅ Local Expertise: We know Texas markets inside and out — from McAllen to Dallas.
✅ Fast, Fair Cash Offers: No lowballing — just honest evaluations.
✅ No Repairs, No Fees: You keep every dollar of your offer.
✅ Flexible Closing Dates: Choose when you want to close.
✅ Trusted Local Title Companies: We ensure every sale is legal and secure.
We’re not realtors — we’re real estate buyers who help families simplify tough transitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell an inherited house without fixing it up?
Yes. We buy homes in any condition — even with repairs, clutter, or damage.
Do I need to wait for probate to finish?
Not necessarily. If the executor has authority, we can move forward during probate.
How fast can you close?
We can close in as little as 7 days — or whenever you’re ready.
What if there are multiple heirs?
We’ll work with all parties to ensure everyone is represented and paid fairly at closing.
Do I pay any fees or commissions?
No. We cover all closing costs and there are zero commissions.
Final Thoughts
Selling an inherited house doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether the property is in McAllen, Mission, Pharr, Edinburg, Harlingen, Brownsville, or Dallas, Sunbelt Cash Offer can help you navigate the process quickly and respectfully.
We handle everything — from probate coordination to closing — so you can focus on what really matters: moving forward and honoring your loved one’s legacy.
👉 Contact Sunbelt Cash Offer today for a fair cash offer on your inherited home.
We’ll help you close fast, pay no fees, and make a clean start.