How to Go About Selling My Inherited House with Title Issues

Depending on your circumstances, inheriting a home can be a blessing – or a burden, especially if it comes with title issues. 

If you don’t want to keep your long-lost Aunt Edna’s humble abode, trying to sell a home with title issues can be one of the most challenging kinds of real estate transactions to complete. On top of the emotional attachments and issues dealing with other heirs that often come with inheriting a property, problems with a house’s title can make the process of selling it even more complicated, costly, and take even longer than usual.

Professional assistance from title companies and real estate attorneys experienced in handling inherited property sales can significantly streamline the process and ensure a successful transaction. 

Let's look at what you can do if you inherit a home with title issues to sell a house fast. 

Types of Title Issues

A home’s title is a legal document that establishes ownership and serves as evidence of the rights and interests associated with the property. Title disputes can arise from any problem or defect affecting the ownership or legal rights to a property such as:

• The previous owner failed to pay state or local taxes
• A contractor was not paid for work completed
• Mistakes or omissions in deeds
• Forgery
• Undisclosed owners, heirs, or conflicting wills

Here are some of the most common title issues and how to deal with them.

Liens

Liens are legal claims placed on a property to secure debt payment. Inherited houses may have liens due to unpaid taxes, unpaid contractors, or outstanding mortgages. Any liens must be satisfied before selling the home. Outstanding liens can be resolved by paying off the debts or negotiating with the lien holders to release the claims.

Encumbrances

Encumbrances are restrictions or limitations on the property's use or transfer. These can include easements, which grant others the right to use part of the property or restrictive covenants that impose specific rules on the property's use. 

To remove encumbrances you may need to replot property lines, pay off a lien, negotiate with a neighbor to have them remove the encroachment, sell the affected land to a neighbor, or grant the neighbor an easement.

Outstanding Mortgages

If the inherited property has an outstanding mortgage, you will have to pay it off or assume it. Talk with the lender about options to address this issue before trying to sell the home.

Unpaid Taxes

Local tax authorities may have a claim on the property due to unpaid property taxes.  

Unpaid property taxes need to be settled to ensure a clear title. If you can’t pay the outstanding tax amount all at once, you may be able to set up a payment plan with the tax collector.

Boundary Disputes

Boundary disputes arise over disagreements about the exact boundaries of a property caused by conflicting land surveys, conflicts with neighbors, or outdated property descriptions. Boundary disputes can be resolved through negotiations with neighboring property owners or by seeking legal assistance to establish accurate boundary lines.

Missing Heirs

Establishing clear ownership is necessary for the successful sale of an inherited home. In an article posted by Clinton M. Sandvick, JD, PhD to WikiHow.com, there are several ways you can try to locate missing relatives to resolve ownership issues, including working with genealogical researchers or heir tracing specialists. 

Getting Help to Sell an Inherited House with Title Issues

To help navigate the complexities of resolving title issues with an inherited house, seek professional assistance from title experts. 

Title companies and real estate attorneys have the expertise to conduct a thorough title search, interpret complex legal documents, review historical records, and uncover potential issues that may affect the home’s sale. Working with these experienced professionals can ensure a smooth and legally compliant transaction.

We Buy Inherited Houses

House Buyers of America is a reputable cash home buyer experienced in buying houses with title issues. We have a network of legal professionals specializing in resolving complex title problems to address and resolve them, alleviating the burden from you so you can proceed with a quick cash sale.

We understand the urgency of selling inherited houses and offer an expedited closing to minimize delays. Selling your inherited house to House Buyers of America also provides you with:

• Financial Benefits: A quick house sale to avoid ongoing expenses associated with the inherited property, such as maintenance costs, property taxes, and insurance.
• Emotional Relief: Inherited properties often carry emotional attachments or burdens. Selling quickly can provide closure and emotional relief, especially if you are not interested in keeping the property or if it holds painful memories.
• Mitigate Legal Complexities: Title issues can involve lengthy legal processes and uncertainties. Selling quickly allows you to bypass these complexities and transfer the responsibility to us.
• Convenience & Time-Saving: Selling your inherited house to House Buyers of America eliminates the need for listing, staging, marketing, and waiting for months for the home to sell. 

Selling an inherited house with title issues requires professional assistance. By working through them with the help of title companies or attorneys and using a cash buyer like House Buyers of America to sell the house for cash, you can smooth the way to a successful sale.

We buy houses in any condition, even if they have title issues. Call us today at 855-659-3289 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Or, to have one of our representatives contact you directly about getting a fast cash offer, click here.