What happens when you inherit a house in California?

With traditional methods, selling an inherited home can take months. However, when you work with a cash buyer like us, we can often close in as little as a week. The exact timeline depends on your specific situation and how quickly you want to Sell inherited house fast.

Taxes from inheritance can be complex. Usually, you’ll owe capital gains tax on the difference between the home’s value when you inherited it and the sale price. However, it’s best to consult with a tax professional for advice tailored to your specific situation when you sell inherited property.

Don’t worry! We buy houses in any condition. When we say “Sell inherited house as is,” we mean it. You don’t need to spend time or money on repairs. We’ll handle all of that after the purchase.

Yes, you can. However, all legal owners will need to agree to the sale. We have experience working with multiple heirs and can help navigate this process to ensure everyone’s on the same page when you sell inherited home.

Typically, you’ll need the death certificate of the person who left you the house, the will or probate documents showing your right to sell my inherited house, and any relevant property documents. We can guide you through gathering the necessary paperwork.

In the State of California, you won’t owe any inheritance tax on the property, but if you sell the home, you’ll likely owe capital gains tax on any value that exceeds what the house was worth at the time of your relative’s passing. Basically, if you turned a profit on the property by selling it for an amount that exceeds its fair market value at the time your loved one passed away, you are required to pay taxes.

If the sale price you receive on your inherited property exceeds its value at the time that your relative died and left it to you, capital gains tax may apply to your profit. This is known as the step-up basis, and it allows you to subtract specific costs — such as those related to improvements and sales expense — from your profits before they’re taxed.

You may want to avoid paying capital gains tax altogether. If you live in the house you inherit for at least two years prior to selling it in California, you’re off the hook for both federal and state capital gains tax in most situations. If making the home you inherited your primary residence works for you, it can be very helpful financially as well. Your other option is to keep and rent out the house, as this bypasses the issue of capital gains tax and allows you to benefit from the rental income.

Yes, we can help! We understand that navigating the probate process can be overwhelming, and situations involving the need for a power of attorney (POA) can add an extra layer of complexity. While we are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice, we have extensive experience working with families and individuals in probate and can connect you with trusted professionals who specialize in estate and probate matters. **If you need to obtain power of attorney to manage the estate or facilitate the sale of an inherited property, we can guide you on where to start and what steps to take. A power of attorney can be crucial if you need to act on behalf of someone who is unable to handle the estate themselves, such as an elderly or incapacitated family member. 

In most cases, you cannot legally sell a house during probate in California without first obtaining Letters of Administration or Letters Testamentary from the probate court. These documents grant you the authority to act as the estate’s personal representative, enabling you to manage and sell estate assets, including real property. However, there may be specific situations where exceptions or preliminary actions can be taken, depending on the court’s approval. If you’re unsure of your options or the process, our experienced team at San Diego House Heroes can guide you through every step and connect you with legal professionals to ensure compliance with probate laws. We’re here to simplify the process and help you move forward efficiently. If you have questions about selling your home during probate, reach out to us today for support!

In California, an executor and an administrator both play key roles in managing the probate process, but their titles and responsibilities depend on whether the deceased left a valid will:

• Executor: This is the person named in the will to carry out the wishes of the deceased. The executor is responsible for managing the estate, which includes gathering assets, paying debts, and distributing property to the beneficiaries as outlined in the will.
• Administrator: If the deceased did not leave a will (referred to as dying “intestate”) or if the named executor is unable or unwilling to serve, the court will appoint an administrator to handle the estate. The administrator’s duties are similar to those of an executor but follow California’s intestacy laws, which dictate how the estate will be distributed.

Both executors and administrators are required to act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries, and their responsibilities are overseen by the probate court. If you’re involved in selling an inherited property during probate, understanding these roles is crucial, and our experienced team at San Diego House Heroes can help guide you through the process. 

If the will isn’t valid, the estate will generally be treated as if there is no will, a situation known as dying intestate. In California, when a will is deemed invalid—whether due to improper execution, lack of capacity, fraud, or undue influence—the probate court will oversee the distribution of the estate based on California’s intestacy laws. These laws determine who inherits the property, prioritizing close family members such as spouses, children, and other relatives. While this can complicate matters, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck. At San Diego House Heroes, we’re experienced in handling complex probate situations, including cases involving invalid wills. Whether you’re an heir or involved in the estate’s management, we can guide you through the process of selling the inherited property, working alongside legal professionals to ensure everything is handled properly. We’ll help you navigate the next steps and provide solutions tailored to your needs.

We work with probated and inherited houses every single day and we can try to help. If something cannot be resolved by your attorney or by us, we can refer you to trained probate mediators (fiduciaries) if you need! We know how delicate and emotionally charged these situations can be, and we’re here to do whatever we can to help you.