Yes, in most cases you can sell an inherited house in Georgia before probate is fully finished, though how far you can go depends on whether you have been named executor and whether the estate has multiple heirs. If you are the named executor with letters of administration, you generally have authority to sign a contract and begin the sale process before probate formally closes. We work with families at every stage, from the week after a death in the family through the final probate hearing.
Can I sell an inherited house in Georgia before probate is finished?
Yes, if you have already been appointed executor or administrator by the probate court and hold letters of administration. Once you have those letters, you can market and sign a contract to sell the property, with the closing typically finalized as probate wraps up. If letters have not been issued yet, we can still get the paperwork moving and time the closing to match your probate timeline, no pressure on our end.
How does probate work in Georgia?
Georgia probate runs through the probate court in the county where your loved one lived. If there is a valid will and no disputes, the estate usually goes through solemn form probate (all heirs notified upfront, harder to contest later) or common form probate (faster to file, but open to a will contest for up to four years). Most Georgia attorneys recommend solemn form specifically to avoid that four-year uncertainty window. A straightforward, uncontested Georgia probate case typically takes 6 to 12 months in counties like Fulton and DeKalb, though contested estates or hard-to-find heirs can stretch it longer. Your county’s probate court website (Fulton County Probate Court or DeKalb County Probate Court, for example) will have the specific filing requirements and timelines for your case.
What if there are multiple heirs?
Every heir with an ownership interest generally needs to agree to the sale and sign the closing documents, since each one owns a share of the property. When heirs agree on selling but not on price, or one heir wants to keep the house, a buyout is often the simplest fix: one heir keeps the property and pays the others their share, or everyone agrees to sell and split proceeds. We are happy to work directly with all heirs, or with the one heir handling the paperwork, whichever is easier for your family.
Do I have to clean out or repair the house first?
No. We buy inherited houses as-is, contents included. You can take anything you want, photos, furniture, keepsakes, and leave the rest. We handle cleanout, junk removal, and any repairs ourselves after closing.
What does an inherited house cost you while you wait?
More than most heirs expect. An empty Atlanta-area house typically runs $800 to $1,500 a month in property taxes, insurance, utilities, and basic upkeep, plus real vacancy risk. Break-ins, pipe leaks, and code enforcement complaints all tend to show up faster in a vacant house. That carrying cost runs every month probate drags on, which is exactly why a lot of families decide to sell early rather than wait for the estate to fully close.
What are my three exits for an inherited house?
You have generally got three paths: keep the house and rent it out, list it on the retail market with an agent once probate allows, or sell it as-is for cash to a buyer like us. Renting works if your family wants ongoing income and someone local to manage it. Listing retail can bring a higher price but means repairs, showings, and months of carrying costs first. Selling as-is is the fastest way to convert the house into cash and close out that part of the estate. We buy inherited houses across Metro Atlanta, including Decatur, Stone Mountain, Lithonia, and East Point.