Sell an Inherited House — Simply, Without the Stress

Inherited a House in Sonoma or Marin County? Here's How to Make It Simple.

Inheriting a home is rarely just a financial event — it usually comes wrapped in grief, family dynamics, and a long to-do list at a time when you have the least energy for it. If the house needs work, sits empty racking up costs, or has to be divided among several heirs, the stress adds up fast. Our goal is to make the selling part the easy part.

We're Evan and Alex — local, licensed buyers based right here in Sonoma County. We've helped families across both counties sell inherited and probate properties with as little friction as possible. There's no pressure and no judgment — just honest guidance on your options and a fair offer if selling is the right move.

Do You Have to Go Through Probate?

Not always — it depends on how the property was held:

• Held in a living trust, joint tenancy, or with a transfer-on-death deed — you can often sell without full probate.
• Owned solely by the person who passed — if the estate is above California's small-estate threshold (about $184,500), probate is generally required before the home can be sold.

Probate sounds intimidating, but it's a well-worn process, and you don't have to navigate it alone. For the full step-by-step walkthrough — court confirmation, overbidding, timelines, and how to speed it up — read our complete guide: How to Sell a House in Probate in California. And for the bigger picture on inherited homes specifically, see How to Sell an Inherited House in Sonoma County.

Your Options for an Inherited Property

There's no single right answer — the best path depends on your family's goals:

• Move in or keep it — if the home works for you and the numbers make sense.
• Rent it out — for ongoing income, if you're prepared to be a landlord.
• Sell it — the most common choice, especially with multiple heirs or an out-of-area executor. With time, a traditional listing may net the most; when you want speed and certainty, a cash sale is simplest.

The Tax Angle: Step-Up in Basis

Here's a piece of good news many people don't realize: inherited property usually receives a stepped-up cost basis — its value resets to the fair market value on the date of the previous owner's death. That means if you sell soon after inheriting, your taxable capital gain is often small or even zero, because you're only taxed on appreciation since that date. Every situation is different, so confirm the details with a tax professional — but for many families this makes selling far less costly than they feared.

The Challenges We Help You Solve

• Deferred maintenance — inherited homes often need significant work. We buy as-is, so you fix nothing.
• A house full of belongings — leave whatever you don't want. We handle the cleanout after closing.
• Out-of-area executors — managing a Sonoma or Marin property from a distance is hard. We're local and handle things on the ground.
• Multiple heirs — a clear, fair cash offer gives everyone a concrete number to rally around and speeds up agreement.
• Carrying costs — taxes, insurance, and upkeep drain the estate every month. A faster sale stops the bleed.

How We Help

• A fair cash offer within 24 hours — no obligation.
• We buy as-is — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout.
• We're patient with probate — we know the court timeline and can wait for confirmation, then close fast once it's granted.
• No fees or commissions — and we cover normal closing costs.
• Licensed and local — if listing the home would net the estate more and you have time, we'll tell you honestly.

How the Process Works

Step 1 — Tell us about the property. Fill out the form on this page or call (707) 390-0399. Let us know where the estate stands — in probate, held in a trust, or not yet started. It takes about 5 minutes.

Step 2 — We'll review and make an offer. Within 24 hours we'll present a written, no-obligation cash offer based on current local market conditions and the home's condition. We walk properties personally.

Step 3 — Close on the family's schedule. If you accept, we coordinate with the title company (and the probate attorney or court if needed) and close when you're ready.