Inheriting a house can bring up a mix of emotions—grief, confusion, maybe even stress. While it’s a generous gift, it also comes with big decisions. One of the most common questions is: What should I do with this inherited house?
Whether the property needs repairs, is located far away, or you’re unsure how to handle it with other family members, don’t worry. You’re not alone—and you do have options. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know in simple terms, so you can make the right choice for your situation.
Before we talk about what to do, let’s break down what it actually means to inherit a house.
When someone passes away and leaves their home to you—either through a will, a trust, or as part of their estate—that’s called inheriting a house. This can happen if you’re a child, spouse, sibling, or other relative of the deceased.
Sometimes you’ll inherit a house by yourself, and sometimes you’ll share it with other family members (called co-heirs). The property may come with a mortgage, property taxes, or even back bills attached to it.
In many cases, this all happens through a legal process called probate. If you want to understand probate in more detail, we recommend this helpful guide from Nolo.
Once the house is officially yours, you have three main options:
If you’re interested in living there yourself, you can choose to make it your primary residence. This may be a good choice if the house is paid off or in good condition.
Some people choose to turn the home into a rental property. This could bring in monthly income—but you’ll need to be ready to manage tenants, repairs, and maintenance.
Many people decide that selling the house is the best option—especially if they already have a home or live out of state. Selling lets you avoid ongoing costs and move forward.
Not sure which route to take? Start by asking:
Your answers will help guide your decision.
Before you take action, there are a few important steps to check off:
Some inherited houses are owned free and clear. Others still have a mortgage—or worse, are behind on payments. You’ll want to contact the mortgage company to understand what’s owed.
If the home is still in probate, you may not be able to sell it yet. You’ll need to wait until the court officially transfers ownership to you. If it was held in a living trust, probate may not be needed.
If you’re not the only person who inherited the home, you’ll need to agree with co-heirs about what to do. You can either:
Check for unpaid property taxes, liens, or utility bills. These need to be settled before or during a sale.
Selling is a popular choice—especially when the house is too far away, needs major work, or feels like more responsibility than you’re ready to take on.
Here’s how to sell an inherited house step by step:
If the house is still in the deceased person’s name, work with a probate attorney to legally transfer it to yourself or the rightful heirs.
If others are involved, meet to discuss what to do with the home. Agree to sell, split profits, or transfer it to one person.
You can:
If the home is outdated, has damage, or you’re on a tight timeline, selling to a cash buyer can be the simplest way.
Yes, and many people do.
Selling a house as-is means you don’t fix it up, clean it out, or update anything before the sale. This is especially helpful if:
A cash buyer or real estate investor will buy the home in its current condition—saving you the time, money, and stress of preparing it for the market.
For more about this, check out HomeLight’s guide to selling as-is.
Selling an inherited house fast isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. Here are common reasons people choose to sell quickly:
Managing a property from far away can be costly and exhausting.
If the house is outdated, damaged, or cluttered, prepping it for a traditional sale may feel impossible.
You might already be covering utilities, taxes, or mortgage payments you didn’t plan for.
Selling fast with a clean split can help avoid arguments among heirs.
For many, letting go of the property helps with emotional closure after losing a loved one.
Dealing with an inherited home doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some ways to reduce stress:
You’ve got this—and there are people who can help.
If you’ve inherited a house in Kent, Ottawa, or Ionia County, or nearby towns like Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Holland, Jenison, Belding, or Rockford, Hometown Development is ready to help you through the process.
We buy inherited houses in any condition—no cleaning, no repairs, no long wait. Whether the home is in probate, occupied, or completely empty, we can give you a fair, no-pressure cash offer and close when you’re ready.
👉 Get a free cash offer here
Or call us directly to talk through your situation with someone local.
An inherited house may feel like a burden, a blessing, or something in between. No matter where you are emotionally or financially, just know this: you are allowed to move forward in a way that’s best for you.
Whether you keep the home, rent it, or sell it, there’s no “right” answer—just the one that works for your life.
If selling feels like the best step, there are people right here in Michigan ready to support you.
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