Skip to main content

I Inherited a House in Southwest Michigan, Mi. Now What?

I’ve inherited a house….now what?

It’s a question many face when they suddenly inherit a house without any prior knowledge on the situation. In this article, I will inform you of everything you need to consider if you’ve inherited a house.

Inheriting a house can be a fortune for some and a headache for others. There are several things you can do when you’ve inherited a house – move in, sell it, or rent it.

But there are also many other implications you might have to consider, such as inheriting a house with a mortgage, paying taxes on an inherited house and tax implications.

inherited a house

But don’t worry. Everything you need to know about inheriting a house is explained below, including what happens if you inherit a property with a mortgage, and any tax implications you might face.

First off, you need to decide whether you want to sell, rent it, or move in when you’ve inherited a house. If you don’t wish to do anything with the property, you can also disclaim it – scroll to the bottom to find out how to disclaim your inherited property.

Second step: Read the will!

Does the deceased have a valid will? Are you fully aware of everything the deceased is offering? If you’re not sure how to proceed, it’s always best to consult with a professional.

What you should know: If the estate is worth more than $100,000, the court will start a probate to make sure all debts are paid and everything is distributed as it should be. Having a will does not avoid the probate process.

If the will is not valid, the court will follow the state laws of intestacy.

I inherited a house and decided to sell it. What do I have to do?

When deciding to sell your inherited house, here are the first steps you need to take:

  • Verify your ownership.
  • Get advice from a professional.
  • See a tax advisor.
  • Check out the state of the house.
inherited a house that's too old

Does the house need an upgrade to up the value? Are there some improvements you need to make? Does the exterminator need to be called? Make an inventory of all items and note down all problems that need fixing. Then, get in touch with all necessary professionals that will help you sell your house and give you the best quote. Please note that in most cases, especially when dealing with real estate agents, this could take months, depending on the state of your house.

Do you wish to sell your house FAST to a cash buyer? Give me a call and I’ll give you a quote in just 24 hours – we are happy to accept houses that need repairs.

I inherited a house with a mortgage. Help!

Inheriting a house with a mortgage instantly brings up a lot of questions that sometimes remain unanswered and resolve in long-term complications. Here’s what you should know:

A house with a mortgage can be inherited just like any other property.

What you need to do is make arrangements to pay off the mortgage and look into property taxes.If you’re inheriting your parent’s home you MUST live in the home and make required payments, however, if you intend to assume the mortgage, you can also keep it in the deceased relative’s name.

Make sure you consult your lawyers and financial planners – find any other implications that come with inheriting a house with a mortgage in your country.

Do I pay taxes when I inherited a house?

Selling you’ve inherited a house can mean that you will most likely have to pay income taxes if you made a profit while a loss during the sale could mean a tax deduction. There are plenty of tax implications that can come with an inherited house, so make sure to read the fine print carefully and always consult with your financial and tax adviser.

“The higher the basis, the lower your taxable gain from the sale.” states LegalZoom.

To put it in simpler words:
[property value] – [your purchase] = taxable gain
Different rules might apply due to the inheritance tax.

So yes, you do have to pay taxes when you inherit or sell your home. In the case of a sale, you need to use the same calculated method as above to discover your tax gain or loss and then report the sale on IRS Schedule D as well as your 1040 tax return – please note that this form needs to be used in the year you sell your home.

How do I disclaim an inherited property?

There are several reasons why someone might not want to do anything with their inherited house – not even bother with the process of selling it.

Reasons to disclaim an inherited property:

  • High real estate taxes.
  • Avoiding responsibility of the deceased’s legal past.
  • Give it to another family member.
  • Other personal reasons.

Inherited property disclaimer requirements:

  • It needs to be done in writing.
  • It needs to be disclaimed within nine months of the deceased’s passing.
  • No benefits should be made when disclaiming the property.
  • The assets cannot be passed indirectly to the person disclaiming the property.
inherited a house with flowers

Thinking of renting after you’ve inherited a house?

Becoming a landlord comes with plenty of responsibilities. Make sure you read my articles on renting a property to get all necessary information on renting an inherited home.

Ready to sell your house? Sell it to a house-buying company. This gives you the best of both worlds! You won’t have to worry about any repairs, you save on commission costs and you can receive a quote in just 24 hours.
I Buy SW MI gives you a cash offer within one day and you can close it whenever you want. Your house can be sold in a week!

We buy houses in Southwest Michigan and we pay cash!

If you need to sell your Southwest Michigan area house fast and would like to get a no-obligation cash offer, call us now at 231-392-3262. Whether you decide to sell your house to us or not, we would like to help answer questions you might have about the process.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

How Landlords in Southwest Michigan Can Appeal to Tenants During COVID-19

Tenants are beginning to receive stimulus payments and some are using it to move. You may be receiving multiple applications for your available rental property, but once you locate a great tenant, you may be competing with other landlords to have this tenant. Here are some ways you can appeal to tenants in Southwest Michigan during COVID-19. Appropriate Rent One of the best ways landlords in Southwest Michigan can appeal to tenants during COVID-19 is to set an appropriate rent amount . Do your research to see what the current market rent is and set it as close as you can to that amount while making sure it fits your rental proforma goals. If you need to attract more potential tenants, you can lower your rent a few percent to be just below the market rent. This should bring you a better variety of tenant candidates so you can be sure you are comfortable with the tenant you end up choosing. Tenants will also appreciate the affordable rent during these uncertain times. All ...

What Real Estate Investors in Southwest Michigan Should Expect During The Coronavirus Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has a lot of people wondering what will happen next. We can only use our previous economic experiences to understand what this situation would mean for property owners and real estate investors. Here’s what real estate investors in Southwest Michigan should expect during the coronavirus pandemic. Shift in Demand The real estate market is expected to start having fewer buyers and more homes for sale. This means that buyers will have the upper hand during real estate negotiations. There will be less demand for homes, so the sellers will have to be willing to sell at what the buyers are willing to pay.  Price Dip Homeowners may be losing income and might not be able to afford their mortgage payment. There may be a surge in distressed properties, which means real estate investors can pick up properties for less than market value. They will have more negotiating room when it comes to traditional real estate purchases. Housing prices in general ...

5 Steps For Selling Your House With Tenants in Southwest Michigan

Selling your house can be a stressful task in itself, but how do you sell a house if you have tenants already in place? Here are five steps for selling your house with tenants in Southwest Michigan. Step #1: Ask the Tenants The first step to selling your house with tenants in Southwest Michigan is to notify the tenants the property will be listed for sale, and ask the tenants if they are interested in purchasing the property. If the tenants have been in place for a few years, they might have fallen in love with the property or really enjoy the school district for their children. They also might really love the area and want to live there permanently. This would be a great opportunity for them to buy the house they know they love. If they are interested, have them qualify for a loan on your property and the purchase process will be nice and smooth. You may also want to offer an owner financing deal to the tenant if they cannot qualify with a traditional lender. This may ...