Inheriting a house can be a bittersweet experience. 

While it may feel like a valuable gift, it often comes with responsibilities you weren’t planning for: maintenance, legal paperwork, family decisions, and emotional weight. For many heirs, the most practical option is to sell the property quickly and move forward.

But how do you actually do that? How do you avoid delays, disputes, or months of market uncertainty?

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the fastest ways to sell an inherited house, explain your main options, and show you how to skip the stress, even if the home needs work or is still in probate.

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What Happens When You Inherit a House?

Inheriting a home isn’t as simple as getting handed the keys. In most cases, the property must go through a legal process called probate, where a court verifies the will, settles any debts, and authorizes the transfer of ownership to the rightful heirs.

If you’re the sole beneficiary and the estate is straightforward, the process might be completed in a few weeks. But if multiple heirs are involved, or if there’s no will at all, probate can take several months or longer.

According to NOLO, probate can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on the complexity of the estate and the state you live in.

Once probate is complete, the house is officially yours, but with that comes responsibility. You’ll be expected to cover the costs of:

• Property taxes
  
  
• Mortgage payments (if applicable)
  
  
• Utility bills and insurance
  
  
• Repairs or ongoing maintenance

Many heirs decide to sell the home quickly rather than manage these costs or take on the burden of ownership, especially if they don’t plan to live there.

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Challenges of Selling an Inherited Property

Selling a house you’ve inherited can be more complex than a standard home sale, emotionally, financially, and legally. Here are some of the most common challenges that slow down the process:

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Emotional Stress and Family Disagreements

Grieving the loss of a loved one is hard enough. But when multiple heirs are involved, decisions about what to do with the property can lead to tension or disputes. Differing opinions about price, repairs, or timelines can delay everything.

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Deferred Maintenance or Outdated Condition

Many inherited homes haven’t been updated in years. Some may even need major repairs before they can be listed. Getting a home market-ready can take weeks and cost thousands, a major hurdle if you just want to sell and move on.

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Ongoing Ownership Costs

Even if you're not living there, you're on the hook for expenses like property taxes, utilities, and insurance. Every month you hold onto the home costs money, which motivates many heirs to look for the fastest way to sell.

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Probate Delays

If the estate is still in probate and the title hasn’t officially transferred, you may not be able to sell the home right away. However, some cash buyers are willing to work with you while probate is still ongoing, allowing you to lock in a deal and close as soon as it's cleared.

These challenges are why many heirs look for the simplest, fastest path forward, especially when the property is in another city, or when the emotional toll is too heavy to manage repairs and showings.

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What Are Your Options for Selling the Inherited Home?

Once the home is legally yours (or close to it), you have a few different paths you can take. The right option depends on how quickly you want to sell, what condition the home is in, and how involved you want to be in the process.

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1. List It With a Realtor

This is the traditional route. A real estate agent will help you set a price, market the property, coordinate showings, and negotiate with buyers.

Pros:

• Potentially the highest sale price if the market is strong
  
  
• Full-service help from a licensed expert

Cons:

• Takes time; the average listing stays on the market for 45+ days
  
  
• May require repairs, staging, and multiple showings
  
  
• You’ll pay 5–6% in commissions and possibly closing costs

This route works well if you’re in no rush, the house is in good condition, and you’re prepared for a longer sale cycle.

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2. Sell For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

If you want to avoid agent fees and maintain full control, you can sell the home yourself. This is common among people with real estate experience or when a buyer is already lined up.

Pros:

• Save money on commissions
  
  
• You control pricing, timing, and negotiations

Cons:

• You handle everything: marketing, contracts, legal details
  
  
• Limited exposure compared to MLS-listed properties

FSBO can work if you’re confident and motivated, but it’s not ideal for time-sensitive or emotionally difficult sales.

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3. Sell to a Cash Buyer

For many heirs, the quickest and least stressful option is to sell to a professional cash buyer like Hungry Home Offers. These companies specialize in buying homes as-is, even if the house is outdated, cluttered, or still in probate.

Pros:

• Close in as little as 7–14 days
  
  
• No repairs, clean-up, or inspections needed
  
  
• No fees, commissions, or closing delays

Cons:

• You may receive a slightly lower price than retail, in exchange for speed and simplicity

This option is ideal if you're out of state, dealing with a home that needs work, or just want to avoid dragging out the process.

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The Fastest Path — Selling to a Cash Buyer

If your priority is speed, certainty, and peace of mind, selling to a cash buyer is almost always the quickest way to go. It’s especially useful if the home needs work, if there are multiple heirs, or if you're out of town and want to avoid months of back-and-forth.

Here’s how it typically works:

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1. Request an Offer

You reach out to a local cash buyer like Hungry Home Offers, and provide basic information about the property. In many cases, you’ll get an offer within 24 hours.

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2. Schedule a Walkthrough

They’ll do a quick visit (or even a virtual tour) to assess the property’s condition. There’s no need to clean or stage the home. They buy as-is, and they’ve seen it all.

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3. Close on Your Timeline

Once you accept the offer, you choose the closing date. Many sales close in as little as 7–14 days. Even if the property is still in probate, many buyers are willing to wait until legal clearance before finalizing the sale.

Unlike the traditional process, there’s no listing, no marketing, no repairs, and no endless back-and-forth. You simply sell and move on.

In fact, data from Zillow’s 2023 Consumer Housing Trends Report shows that over two-thirds of sellers would consider a cash offer, with speed, convenience, and simplicity being the top reasons.

If the inherited home is more of a burden than a blessing, this might be your fastest and least stressful option.

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Why Many Families Choose a Cash Sale

Inheriting a home often brings more than just memories, it brings emotional decisions, logistical challenges, and sometimes, tension among family members. That’s why more and more families are choosing a cash sale as the fastest, most peaceful way to move forward.

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Avoiding Family Conflict

When multiple heirs are involved, disagreements about pricing, timing, or what to do with the property can stall the process. A cash sale offers a neutral, low-friction solution. Everyone agrees to a fair price, and the property is sold quickly.

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Too Many Repairs or Outdated Systems

Many inherited homes haven’t been updated in decades. Instead of sinking time and money into renovations, families often opt to sell the home “as-is” and split the proceeds. 

Cash buyers like Hungry Home Offers specialize in homes that need work, so you don’t have to invest a dime.

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Wanting to Settle the Estate Quickly

Some heirs simply want closure. Whether it's financial reasons, emotional fatigue, or the desire to move on, a quick cash sale lets you wrap things up cleanly without dragging out the process for months.

For families who value simplicity, speed, and fairness, a cash sale can feel like a huge relief, especially when paired with a local, trusted buyer who understands the sensitive nature of inherited homes.

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Final Thoughts

Inheriting a house can be a blessing, but it can also feel like a heavy responsibility. Between legal steps, property maintenance, and emotional complexity, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. 

The good news? You don’t have to go through a drawn-out listing process or spend months preparing the home for sale.

Whether you're looking for the highest offer, the fastest close, or just a respectful, stress-free experience, you have options. And if speed and simplicity are what you need, selling to a trusted local cash buyer like Hungry Home Offers could be the ideal solution.

We specialize in buying inherited homes across Pennsylvania — no repairs, no agent fees, and no pressure. You choose the timeline. We handle the hard parts.

Ready to move on? Reach out today for a no-obligation cash offer and see just how easy it can be.

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