Sell an Inherited Property in Washington
Inheriting a property in Washington often comes with more stress than relief. Between probate court, property taxes, insurance, maintenance on a house you may not even live near, and figuring out what to do with it — the last thing you need is a lengthy listing process. We buy inherited properties directly, in any condition, and can close on your timeline.
Short Answer
You can sell an inherited house in Washington without making any repairs, even during probate. We buy directly as principals and can close in as little as 7 days after probate clears, or work with your attorney on pre-probate arrangements.
Common Inherited Property Situations We Handle
- Property in probate — We work with your attorney and can close as soon as the court approves the sale. We’ve navigated WA probate processes many times.
- Multiple heirs who disagree — When siblings or family members can’t agree on what to do, a direct sale at fair market value often resolves the conflict faster than listing.
- Out-of-state heirs — You don’t need to be in Washington. We handle the process remotely. You sign at a local notary or through a mobile signing service.
- House needs major work — Inherited homes often have years of deferred maintenance. We buy as-is. No repairs, no cleanup, no staging.
- Property has tenants — Inherited a rental? We can buy with tenants in place. You don’t need to navigate WA eviction laws.
- Tax liens or back taxes owed — We can close with liens on the property and handle resolution at closing.
Your Options for an Inherited Home
| Option | Timeline | Your Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sell to us (cash) | 7-14 days after probate | $0 — no fees, no commissions | Speed, simplicity, no repairs |
| Sell to us (subject-to) | 2-3 weeks | $0 | Property has existing mortgage |
| Seller financing | 2-3 weeks to start | $0 | Want monthly income from the property |
| List with agent | 60-120+ days | 5-6% commissions + repairs | House is move-in ready, no time pressure |
| Keep as rental | Ongoing | Management, maintenance, taxes | Want long-term income, able to manage |
Washington Probate: What You Need to Know
In Washington State, most inherited properties must go through probate unless they were held in a living trust or had a transfer-on-death deed. Probate typically takes 4-6 months in WA, but the court can approve a property sale during that process. Key points:
- The personal representative (executor) has authority to sell real property with court approval
- Washington is a non-UPC state but has adopted many Uniform Probate Code provisions
- Small estates under $100,000 in personal property may qualify for simplified procedures
- Community property with right of survivorship passes outside probate
- We work with your probate attorney to ensure the sale is properly approved
Our Experience with Inherited Properties
Inherited homes are one of the most common situations we work with. The typical scenario: a family member passes, the property needs work, heirs are scattered across different states, and nobody wants to spend months dealing with repairs, showings, and agent timelines. We solve that with a direct offer, close on the estate’s timeline, and handle the property from there.
Which Solution Fits Your Inherited Property?
The right approach depends on your specific situation with the inherited property:
Best option for multiple heirs on an inherited property: Cash purchase for a fast, even split.
Best option for an inherited house with a mortgage: Subject-to, protected by the Garn-St. Germain Act.
Best option if you want income from an inherited home: Seller financing with monthly payments.
Best option for a house still in probate: Cash purchase with a deferred close that locks in your price.
Best option for a run-down inherited house when you live out of state: Cash purchase, no repairs needed.
Not sure which fits? Tell us your situation and we’ll recommend the best path forward. Every case is different.
Inherited a Property in Washington?
Get a no-obligation offer. No repairs, no agents, no waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sell an inherited house before probate is finished?
In most cases, yes. The personal representative can petition the court for authority to sell real property during probate. We work with your probate attorney to ensure proper court approval. In some cases, we can also structure a purchase agreement that executes once probate clears.
Do I have to pay for repairs on an inherited house before selling?
No. We buy properties in any condition — including homes with extensive deferred maintenance, water damage, outdated systems, or cosmetic issues. You don’t need to clean, repair, or stage anything.
What if there are multiple heirs and we disagree on selling?
This is common. In Washington, if one heir wants to sell and others don’t, a partition action can be filed in court. However, a direct sale at fair market value often satisfies all parties faster and with less expense than court proceedings. We can work with multiple heirs and their attorneys.
Are there tax implications for selling an inherited property?
Inherited property receives a “stepped-up basis” equal to fair market value at the date of death. This often eliminates or significantly reduces capital gains tax. We recommend consulting a CPA or tax attorney for your specific situation.
What if the inherited house has an existing mortgage?
An existing mortgage doesn’t prevent a sale. We can pay it off at closing (cash purchase), take over the payments (subject-to), or structure seller financing around it. Federal law (Garn-St. Germain Act) protects heirs from due-on-sale clause enforcement on inherited properties.
Get Your Free Offer
Tell us about your property and we’ll reach out within 24 hours.