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8 min read Mar 16, 2024

Selling an Inherited Property in Pennsylvania (2024 Updates)

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Jason Joshi

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Edited By

Jason Joshi

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Jason is a passionate content editor working at Houzeo. He has an eye for detail and keeps himself updated with the recent trends in the real estate market. He also likes to travel and explore places.

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Home sellers in Pennsylvania spent an average of 9 to 18 months selling their inherited property.

Analyzing the current Pennsylvania real estate market, the average time to sell a house in Pennsylvania is 80 days. Factors like house location, home size, condition, etc. can increase your home’s days on the market.

For an inherited house, the probate process is necessary to legally transfer the property. It typically takes up to 18 months but can be delayed by multiple heirs and disagreements.

To Sell My Inherited House

  • How Long Does It Take to Sell? It takes an average time of 9 to 18 months to sell an inherited property, depending on the probate process.
  • Taxes to Sell an Inherited Property: You need to pay transfer tax, property tax, and capital gains tax to sell an inherited property.
  • Fastest Way to Sell: Selling to a cash buyer is the fastest way to sell your inherited property as is.

Can I Sell an Inherited House in Pennsylvania?

Yes, you can sell your inherited house in Pennsylvania. Your property must undergo a probate process before you sell it.

What Is a Probate Process?

A probate is a legal validation of a deceased person’s will. Probate helps to distribute the property amongst its heirs and beneficiaries.

You need to submit the owner’s death certificate and proof of ownership during the probate process. After the completion of probate, you have to pay for several expenses such as outstanding mortgages, taxes on the property, and other bills.

An ‘Alienation Clause’ triggers when the ownership of a mortgaged property is transferred to an inheritor. So the inheritor has to pay off the full mortgage.

Almost every inherited property in Pennsylvania must undergo a probate process. This can take up to 11 months. This period varies state-wise and depends on the number of inheritors and state laws.

Properties Exempted from Undergoing Probate Process

Your property will exempt a probate under the following conditions:

  • Right of Survivorship: You can own a property in joint ownership with a “right of survivorship” clause in it.
  • Receive a House in Trust: As a legal heir, you can inherit a house directly without probate if the owner has placed the home in trust.

How to Sell an Inherited House in Pennsylvania?

Selling an inherited house is similar to selling any other property. The best option to sell your house for the most profit is either sell it through a real estate agent or sell it yourself.

1. Hire a Local Real Estate Agent

Real estate agents are well-versed in the market conditions. They market your property to buyers via MLS or other real estate networks to get you the most possible money for your property.

Moreover, agents can also advise you after you start receiving offers. But, agents do charge hefty commissions from 5% to 6%.

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2. Sell For Sale By Owner (FSBO)

You can save on hefty commissions by listing your house for sale by owner. But when selling FSBO, you need to handle the paperwork and closing yourself.

You have full control over your transaction to engage with the buyer and buyer’s agent. Moreover, PA For Sale By Owner sites help you get listed faster, typically within 24 to 48 hours.

Flat Fee MLS companies like Houzeo offer advanced technology to streamline your listing process. Houzeo’s mobile app helps you manage offers and showings at your fingertips.

Alternate Ways to Sell Your Inherited House in Pennsylvania

You have other alternatives to sell your inherited home:

  1. List with a Discount Real Estate Broker: Pennsylvania Discount real estate brokers offer all the services that traditional Realtors do but at discounted rates. You can also opt for a flat rate Realtor to list your home.
  2. Sell Your Home to an iBuyer: An iBuyer can instantly make a cash offer and help you sell your house quickly. They make offers close to fair market value. However, iBuyers have strict purchase criteria.
  3. Sell Your House to Cash Buyers: Pennsylvania cash companies can help you sell faster if you have a distressed property. However, cash home buyers typically offer 50% to 70% of the property’s fair market value.
  4. Sell Your House to a Flipper: You can sell your inherited property to professional house flippers in Pennsylvania. They offer up to 70% of the fair market value.

Taxes on an Inherited Property in Pennsylvania

Minor children and spouses have a full exemption. But, grandparents, parents, and adult children are exempt up to $3,500. The tax rate after exemption is between 4.5% and 15%.

👉 If the inheritance tax is paid within the first 3 months of the owner’s death, the heir receives a 5% discount.

Taxes on Selling an Inherited Property in Pennsylvania

You have to pay the following taxes while selling an inherited property in the Keystone State.

  • Transfer Tax: Transfer tax is a one-time fee that the inheritor pays to the local government at the time of transferring the ownership. Pennsylvania imposes a 2% of the property’s sale price.
  • Property Tax: The average property tax in Pennsylvania is 1.36% of the total sale price of the property.
  • Capital Gains Tax: The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) authority levies the capital gains tax on a stepped-up basis. So, this tax would only apply to the property’s appreciation after it was inherited.

» Capital Gains Exemptions: Know how you can exempt capital gains tax.

Selling a House in Pennsylvania with Multiple Inheritors

Multiple inheritors can be close family members like siblings, cousins, or anyone the deceased person chooses. So, selling a house in Pennsylvania with multiple inheritors is a real curve ball.

In such cases, the first step is to come to an agreement on selling or buying the property with the other inheritors. You can appoint a neutral party (non-beneficiary) as the head person for the sale.

The neutral party will ensure a transparent home sale process. They will ensure a fair distribution of proceeds amongst the inheritors.

What if All Inheritors Don’t Agree to Sell?

If all inheritors do not agree then the property cannot be sold. Chill! If the majority of the inheritors are willing to sell the property they need to go through a probate court.

The inheritors can file a ‘partition action’ lawsuit in the probate court. In such cases, the court enforces the sale. As a result, the inheritors have to divide the proceeds among themselves as per the will.

Let’s Sell Your Inherited House

Selling your inherited house in Pennsylvania is a complex and time-consuming process. Your inherited home might remain in probate for up to 11 months. You also have to pay several taxes while selling your inherited home.

To get the best price for your property, we recommend you list your home on Pennsylvania MLS. Basically, this provides exposure to your property to buyers and real estate agents.

With a PA Flat Fee MLS company like Houzeo, you can list your property on the MLS right after the probate. An MLS listing via Houzeo will give your house maximum exposure, and you may even attract cash offers.

PittsburghSelling an Inherited Property in Pittsburgh, PA
YorkSelling an Inherited Property in York, PA

» Selling an Inherited Property with a Mortgage: Learn what to consider and what not when selling an inherited property with a mortgage.

Eager to Know More About Houzeo?

We’ve got you covered. Check out the following video to understand why Houzeo is one of the best for sale by owner websites in the U.S.

» NEED MORE CLARITY? Watch exclusive Houzeo reviews and learn why it is one of the best FSBO sites in America.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can you sell a house while in probate in Pennsylvania?

Yes, a house can be sold while in the probate process.

Does Pennsylvania have an inheritance tax?

Yes, Pennsylvania have impose an inheritance tax on properties. Pennsylvania is one of the few states in the United States that imposes 0-15%inheritance tax on the transfer of assets from a deceased individual to their beneficiaries.

Is there a time limit on selling inherited property in Pennsylvania?

No, there is no time limit to sell an inherited property in Pennsylvania. Once the probate process is completed and the legal inheritor is declared, you can sell your inherited property anytime.

How to pay-off the mortgage on inherited property in Pennsylvania?

You can pay the mortgage on an inherited asset in multiple ways:
1. You can sell the property and pay-off the debt.
2. Transfer the mortgage along with the ownership of the house in your name.
3. The Pennsylvania mortgage lender can foreclose the property if no inheritor pays the debt.

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