The Seller Answer Hub · Resource · Inherited Property
Inherited Property Seller Checklist
By Denise Rush · REALTOR® · EXIT Realty Lowcountry Group
Selling an inherited home comes with a lot of moving parts, and it is easy to feel overwhelmed, especially from out of state. This checklist lays out the steps in order, so nothing important slips through. It is a practical guide, not legal or tax advice; confirm each item with the right professional for your situation.
Companion Reading
This checklist is a companion to Denise's guide, “Selling an Inherited Home: Options When It Needs Work and You're Not Nearby”, which walks through the full set of sale options, and it pairs with the inherited-home page, which explains sell, rent, or keep in plain language.
Written by Denise Rush, Licensed SC REALTOR® · EXIT Realty Lowcountry Group · Last reviewed: October 20, 2026
The Checklist · Twenty Steps
Five stages, twenty steps, one clear path
Work through the groups in order. Print the page or save it as a PDF, and check each item off as you complete it. Every step is general education; verify each one with the right professional for your situation.
Step 01
Establish Your Legal Right to Sell
Nothing can be listed or signed until the right person has the legal authority to sell. Sort this out first, calmly and on paper.
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Item 01
Obtain certified copies of the death certificate and any will or trust documents.
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Item 02
Identify how the property is titled: sole ownership, joint with right of survivorship, trust, or transfer-on-death deed.
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Item 03
Confirm whether probate is required in the property's state, or whether a small-estate procedure or trust avoids it.
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Item 04
Consult a probate or estate attorney in the state where the property sits before listing or signing anything.
Step 02
Get the Financial and Tax Picture
The numbers decide the path. Gather them before you compare options, so every choice is made from facts.
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Item 05
Determine the property's fair market value as of the date of death (the stepped-up basis) with an appraisal or comparable sales.
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Item 06
Meet with a tax professional to understand potential capital gains and any filing requirements.
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Item 07
Check for an outstanding mortgage, property taxes, HOA or community dues, liens, and judgments against the property.
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Item 08
Order a title search to confirm ownership is clear and identify any easements or restrictions.
Step 03
Protect the Property
A vacant home is a vulnerable home. Small steps now prevent expensive surprises later.
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Item 09
Secure the property: change or rekey locks, and make sure doors and windows are secure.
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Item 10
Keep homeowners insurance in force on the property until closing; notify the insurer of the ownership change.
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Item 11
If the home will sit vacant, winterize it and arrange for regular checks (mail, utilities, lawn, pests).
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Item 12
Notify utility companies and redirect or transfer accounts as appropriate.
Step 04
Know the Property's Condition
What you know shapes what you ask, what you price, and what you disclose. See the condition on paper before choosing a path.
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Item 13
Order a home inspection (and a septic inspection and well water test if the property is rural) so you know what you are selling.
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Item 14
Check the FEMA flood zone and talk to an insurance agent about coverage and costs.
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Item 15
Gather any existing records: permits, septic as-built drawings, repair history, appliance ages, and the seller's disclosure.
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Item 16
Decide what to do with personal belongings, coordinating with family before clearing the home.
Step 05
Choose Your Sale Path and Close
With the paperwork, the numbers, and the condition known, the right path becomes a comparison, not a guess.
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Item 17
Compare your realistic options side by side: as-is sale with a local agent, cash sale to a buyer or investor, an iBuyer offer, or holding and renting. For each, note expected net proceeds, time to close, out-of-pocket costs, and how much of your time it needs.
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Item 18
Get the seller's disclosure completed honestly and review it with your agent.
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Item 19
Review the offer, contract, and closing documents with a real estate attorney if you have any questions.
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Item 20
Close with the title company or closing attorney, and confirm all liens, taxes, and fees are settled from proceeds.
A Calm Close · No Pressure
Selling an inherited home is a real process, but it is one you can walk through one step at a time, and you do not have to do it alone. Denise is happy to talk through the neighborhood market picture and the real numbers for any inherited property in her area, with no pressure and no obligation.
A Note on This Checklist
This checklist is general educational information, not legal, tax, or financial advice. Verify the legal authority to sell with a probate or real estate attorney in the property's state, and confirm the tax picture with a tax professional before making any decision. For official guidance, neutral public sources such as the IRS, SCDES, and the local probate court in the county where the home sits can point you to the right forms and offices.
Keep Reading
The inherited-home library
Every link below is this site's own guide, education first and pressure free.
Inherited a Home? Your Options, Explained
The full sell, rent, or keep guide: first steps, stepped-up basis, carrying costs, and the equity math in plain language.
Read this guide →
Selling an Inherited Home From Out of State
The companion journal guide: as-is, cash, and iBuyer options when the home needs work and you are not nearby.
Read this guide →
The Full Seller Answer Hub
All ten seller situations, education first, decision second, appointment third.
Read this guide →
Your Next Step · Your Own Numbers
Walk the checklist, then talk through the numbers.
When you are ready, Denise will walk through the neighborhood market picture and the real numbers for the inherited property, explained patiently by a licensed SC REALTOR® with more than 20 years across the Charleston Tri-County. Education first, decision second, appointment third.
Denise Rush, Your 360 REsolutions Realtor · Lic. 77934 SC · EXIT Realty Lowcountry Group