Selling an inherited house in Memphis
Inheriting a house usually means inheriting a list of problems at the same time: an empty house to secure, taxes and insurance to keep paying, belongings to sort, and sometimes several heirs who need to agree.
You can sell an inherited house on the open market or to a cash buyer. Either way, the first question is whether you have legal authority to sell, and in Tennessee that usually runs through probate.
How it works in Tennessee
- Tennessee's small-estate process covers personal property worth $50,000 or less, but it does not give anyone authority over real estate. A house generally passes through full probate, a transfer-on-death deed, joint ownership or a trust.
- In probate, the court appoints a personal representative (executor or administrator) and issues letters that give that person authority to act for the estate.
- In Shelby County, probate runs through the Shelby County Probate Court, and fiduciaries in a full estate administration must be represented by a Tennessee attorney.
- Most estates take 6 to 12 months, partly because creditors have a claim period after notice is published.
What we can do
- We can make an offer before probate is finished and close once the personal representative has authority to sell.
- You can leave furniture and belongings behind. We handle the cleanout after closing.
- If several heirs are involved, we can talk with each of them so everyone sees the same numbers.
Options besides selling to us
- If the house is in good shape and the family can wait, listing with an agent usually brings a higher price.
- An heir who wants to keep the house can sometimes buy out the others through the estate.
- A Tennessee probate attorney can tell you the fastest legal path for your situation. We are not attorneys.
Want to see how a cash offer stacks up against listing? Run the comparison.
Sources
This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change; confirm with an attorney or the agency named above.