Inheriting a home often comes with more than just a set of keys. There may be belongings to sort through, repairs to consider, family members to coordinate with, legal steps already underway, or a property sitting vacant while you live somewhere else.

I help Trustees, Executors, Administrators, and heirs prepare and sell inherited homes throughout Greater Sacramento — whether the property is held in a trust, going through probate, needs work, or is ready to sell as-is.

Before you start cleaning everything out, hiring contractors, or spending money on improvements, let’s look at the property and determine what actually makes sense.

Talk With Lisa About the Property

Who I Help

Trustees

When you’re responsible for a home held in a trust and need clear guidance on preparing and selling the property.

Executors & Administrators

When an estate includes real property and you need someone experienced with the real-estate side of an inherited-home sale.

Heirs & Beneficiaries

When you’ve inherited a home and need help deciding what to do with the property, belongings, repairs, and eventual sale.

Out-of-Area Families

When the property is here but you aren’t and you need someone local to help coordinate the details.

You're Not Here. I Am.

Inherited homes are often left behind after the family has moved away, a loved one has passed, or the person responsible for the property lives somewhere else.

I can be your local eyes and ears in the Greater Sacramento area, helping coordinate property access, cleanout, vendors, repairs, landscaping, inspections, staging, and the real-estate sale itself.

You don’t have to make repeated trips to Sacramento just to make sure the lawn was mowed, a contractor got inside, or the house is ready for an inspection.

You handle what only you can handle. I’ll help with the property here.

A Clear Plan for the Property

Every inherited home is different.

Some homes are ready to sell with very little preparation. Others have decades of belongings, deferred maintenance, family decisions still being made, or a property that has been sitting vacant. We’ll start with the home as it sits today and create a practical plan before you start spending money.

1. Assess

We’ll look at the property, its condition, your timeline, the local market, and what you hope to accomplish. I’ll help you understand the home’s current market position and identify anything that may affect the sale.

2. Prioritize

Before you hire contractors or start making improvements, we’ll determine what may actually help and what can probably be left alone. Sometimes a few strategic updates make sense.

Sometimes selling as-is is the better decision. The goal is to protect your time and the estate’s money, not renovate simply for the sake of renovating.

3. Prepare

If the property needs cleanout, cleaning, landscaping, repairs, vendor access, staging, or other preparation, I can help coordinate the local real-estate details and keep the process moving.

If you live outside the area, this can be especially valuable.

4. Sell

Once the property is ready, I’ll handle the real-estate sale from marketing through closing — including showings, offers, inspections, negotiations, appraisal, escrow, and the many details in between.

Throughout the process, I’ll keep you informed so you know what is happening with the property even when you cannot be here yourself.

Before You Spend Money on the House, Let's Talk.

You may not need to do nearly as much as you think.

One of the first questions families ask me is:

“What do we need to fix before we sell?”

Sometimes the answer is surprisingly little.

Before you empty the house, replace flooring, remodel a kitchen, or start calling contractors, let’s look at what buyers are likely to value and what is most likely to help the seller’s bottom line.

Talk With Lisa

Inherited Home Resources

Practical answers for Trustees, Executors, Administrators, and heirs.

Selling an inherited property can bring up questions that don’t come with a typical home sale.

These resources are designed to help you understand your options, prepare the property wisely, avoid unnecessary expenses, and know what to expect along the way.

Topics include:

Selling a home held in a trust
Selling property during probate
Preparing an inherited home for sale
Deciding whether to repair or sell as-is
Managing a vacant inherited property
Cleaning out a home after a loved one passes
Selling when heirs live outside the area
Coordinating repairs and vendors
Staging an inherited or vacant home
Working through a sale involving multiple family members

Explore Inherited Home Resources

Navigating the Decision: Renting vs. Selling Inherited Property in Sacramento County

Information for Trustees, Executors, and Administrators

March 27, 2024•3 min read

Inheriting a property comes with its unique set of challenges and opportunities. For many executors or inheritors, the decision to rent out or sell the inherited home is not just a financial one but also emotional and logistical. This post aims to provide a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice between renting and selling, especially in the context of Sacramento County’s real estate landscape.

The Dilemma: Sell or Rent?

When you inherit a property, it’s like holding a gem that could shine with a bit of polishing or a fixer-upper needing more than just a touch-up. The condition of the property, along with your financial situation, the desires of other heirs, and the current real estate market, are crucial factors to consider.

Selling: A Quick Overview

Many heirs lean towards selling the inherited property primarily to avoid the complexities of being a landlord. Selling offers a straightforward way to liquidate the asset for immediate financial gain, which can be particularly appealing if there’s an urgent need for funds. However, selling an inherited property isn’t without its hurdles, such as potential probate delays, which in Sacramento can extend from six months to a year, and the initial costs involved in preparing the property for sale.

The preparation process is akin to presenting a delicious meal at a restaurant: the presentation matters. Even homes sold “as-is” can fetch a higher price if they’re clean and well-maintained. This may involve some investment, from basic cleaning to significant repairs, depending on the property’s state.

Renting: Exploring Your Options

Renting out the inherited property presents an opportunity for a steady income stream, which is an attractive prospect in Sacramento’s robust rental market. However, it comes with the responsibilities of maintenance, tenant management, and the risks of vacancies.

Short-Term Rentals: Utilizing platforms like Airbnb or VRBO could be an excellent way to generate income if the property is in a desirable location. This requires ensuring the property is furnished and managing bookings, which could be done independently or through a management service.
Mid-Term Rentals: Catering to the needs of traveling professionals or students for durations ranging from a few weeks to several months. This option demands less frequent tenant turnover and offers stability without long-term commitments.
Co-Living Arrangements: An innovative approach where you rent out individual rooms. This model maximizes rental income and serves a social purpose but requires a more hands-on management approach or the assistance of a property management company.
Long-Term Rentals: The traditional route of renting the entire property to a family or individuals for extended periods. This provides a consistent income and can be less intensive in terms of management, especially with a property manager.

Legal and Financial Considerations

Whether you decide to rent or sell, it’s imperative to consult with a tax advisor to understand the implications, including capital gains taxes, depreciation benefits, and the impact of local laws like Proposition 19 on property taxes. Managing a rental also means familiarizing yourself with tenant laws and potentially hiring a property management company to handle day-to-day operations.

Conclusion

Deciding between renting and selling an inherited property in Sacramento County involves weighing the financial benefits against the responsibilities and efforts required. Each option has its advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on your circumstances, goals, and the property in question. Consulting with real estate professionals and tax advisors can provide tailored advice and help you navigate this decision with confidence.

Whether you lean towards unlocking the potential of your inherited property through rental income or prefer the immediacy of selling, it’s essential to approach this decision with a clear understanding of your options and their implications. Your inherited property can serve as a valuable asset, and with the right strategy, you can maximize its value to meet your financial and personal goals.

Lisa Quaschnick

Lisa Quaschnick is a Greater Sacramento REALTOR® helping homeowners prepare, manage, and sell vacant properties, including inherited homes, former rentals, and properties owned by out-of-area sellers.

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Experience With Probate, Trust & Inherited Property Sales

Selling an inherited home is still a real estate transaction, but the circumstances surrounding it are often very different.

I have completed specialized training in probate and trust real estate and understand many of the practical issues that can arise when a property is being handled by a Trustee, Executor, Administrator, or family member.

My role is not to give legal advice. Your attorney handles the legal side.

My role is to help you understand and manage the real estate side of the property - preparing it, marketing it, negotiating the sale, and getting it successfully through closing.

Certified Probate Expert | Certified Probate & Trust Specialist