Inheriting a house is rarely simple. Along with the loss of someone you love, you’re suddenly holding the keys to a property with its own bills, its own repairs, and its own paperwork. If you’ve found yourself searching for how to sell an inherited house fast, you’re not alone — and you’re not doing anything wrong by wanting this to be easier.
More Philadelphia-area families are asking this question lately, and it usually comes down to one thing: probate. Probate is the court process that officially names an executor (the person allowed to manage and sell the estate) and clears the way for a sale. In Philadelphia County, that appointment alone typically takes a few months, and the full probate process can run six to twelve months depending on the estate. That timeline — plus unfamiliar terms like “letters testamentary” (the court document that proves someone has legal authority to act for the estate) — is usually what’s behind the search.
Your options, once you’re the one holding the keys
- Work through probate, then sell traditionally. Once the court appoints an executor, the home can be listed and sold like any other property, often with the best possible price.
- Sell during probate. Pennsylvania allows a sale while probate is still open, as long as the executor has the proper authority and, in many cases, notifies or gets consent from the other heirs.
- Sell as-is for a faster close. If the home needs repairs no one wants to take on, or the heirs simply want to be done, a cash, as-is sale skips financing delays and inspection back-and-forth.
- Keep it, at least for now. Selling isn’t the only option — some families rent the property or hold it while they decide together.
One local detail worth knowing: Philadelphia’s realty transfer tax is 4.278% of the sale price, though inherited properties can sometimes qualify for exemptions. A local title company or attorney can tell you quickly whether yours does.
Free resources first
- Philadelphia Register of Wills Probate Self-Help Center — free, plain-language guidance and forms for opening an estate and understanding your role as executor.
- PA Legal Aid Network — free legal help for income-qualifying homeowners and heirs working through probate or estate questions.
- United Way 211 — dial 211 for a live person who can connect you to local estate and hardship resources across Greater Philadelphia.
Start with these before you spend a dollar on paid help — many families get everything they need for free.
A trusted partner, if it fits
If the estate needs an attorney to move probate along, we work with a legal plan partner — a resource we trust — who can connect you with affordable probate help. It’s optional, and there’s no pressure to use it.
Hablamos español. Si tu familia necesita ayuda en español con una propiedad heredada, escríbenos con confianza.
You have options — let’s look at them together. Schedule your free, pressure-free Strategy Session at WayOutNow.com, or text Glen or Brie anytime at 215-999-7208. Hablamos español.
Way Out Now Solutions provides real estate guidance and connection to professional resources. We are not attorneys, lenders, or tax advisors, and nothing here is legal, financial, or tax advice. Outcomes vary by situation, and nothing is guaranteed.
