The Oklahoma probate process is the gathering together of the personal and real property of someone who has passed away. By law, the debts and any taxes owed must be paid off first, and of course the attorneys. After this is settled, the court can distribute what remains of the inherited estate to the heirs. In Oklahoma, a petition must be filed with the District Court to determine if the decedent had a will and if that will is valid. Some estates have a will, and some don’t. Then a personal representative must be appointed to inventory and value the estate and assure that the estate is probated according to the law. The process can take as little as a few months, and as long as a few years depending on the will, the assets, and the parties involved. It is the job of the personal representative to gather the assets, value them, post the notices, and distribute them according to the will and Oklahoma Probate Law. If a disagreement arises between the heirs, usually the property must be sold at auction to the highest bidder according to the statute. If, however, all parties are in agreement and consent to a sale, the property can be sold at private sale and the proceeds distributed accordingly. Family and Heirs: The Next Step
The passing of a family member is never easy. There is no reason to rush through the process, and it’s best to just take enough time to come to terms with the whole situation. You will have some work to do, going through your loved one’s belongings, tracking information down, and dealing with the finances. It’s always best to consult an attorney to help you sell inherited property. A good probate attorney will have done this many times, and their guidance can be very helpful in getting through the process. There are numerous important issues to consider such as legal process, estate taxes, and more. We’ve worked with many probate attorneys in the Oklahoma City area, as well as in surrounding areas. We have quite a few probate and estate attorneys we can refer you to if need be. Consider Working with Real Estate Professionals The real estate industry is full of knowledgeable professionals who are experts in all kinds of property. Appraisers, real estate agents, investors, developers, and title agents all offer a unique perspective regarding value, repairs, marketability of title, and more. It’s a good idea to find out where the value currently is, and where it could be given the condition, location, and the needed repairs to make it ready for the market. Often times, a property someone has owned for a decade or more may need repairs, updating, and sometimes even major improvements such as a roof, plumbing, and foundation repair. In cases like this, selling to an investor can make sense. An investor can act quickly and pay with cash, buying the house as-is to save the estate time and money. Please call our office and speak with one of our professional home buyers if you have questions about selling a house from an estate inheritance at (405) 259-2488
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Selling a house in probate is a decision we will all have to make at some point in our lives. A parent has passed away and left the family home. Now, the heirs are faced with the uncertainty of what to do. Should it be sold? Rented? Or should one of the heirs keep it for themselves?
At this point, a wrong decision can lead to hardships down the road. Family disagreements, or financial difficulties, are just a couple things to consider when looking at the overall picture. If you have inherited a house from Probate, below are some things to consider before making any final decisions: 1) Existing Mortgages: In many cases, homes in probate have been paid off for some time. But this is not always true. Frequently, homeowners may refinance a house to cover living expenses or repairs on the property. Sometimes Social Security or pension benefits are not enough to cover costly expenses like doctor bills or a new roof. A cash-out refinance is common. The same is true of a reverse mortgage. This is structured to give the homeowner payments for some of their equity over time, usually to cover expenses for lack of income. An heir can only assume a parents’ mortgage if they plan on living there as a primary residence. If the plan is to rent the property, banks will almost always require the heirs to refinance the property into their name. Solutions: If the house does have an existing mortgage, the heirs can simply pay it off in full. This can be done by either pooling cash or selling the house. At this point, the pressure from the bank is removed, and the heirs can either decide at their leisure how to proceed or split the proceeds. 2) Taxes: In the past few years, real estate taxes have had a significant exemption. Moreover, the “step-up” provision allowed for properties to be assessed lower than their current market value for tax purposes. For example, your parents bought a home 35 years ago for $20,000, and now the home is worth $90,000. With the “step-up” provision, the heirs only have to pay real estate taxes on the difference between the current value at the time of inheritance and the new sale price. Without the “step-up” however, you would pay taxes on the full amount of the gain-In this example, $70,000. Solutions: Visit a tax professional and ask about the tax consequences–or benefits–of a sale. Tax laws frequently change, so what was law last year may not necessarily be law today. 3) Assess the Condition: The condition of the property is very important to future decisions to move forward. Many times inherited properties may have outdated systems or other problems. This can make a house unsuitable for sale or renting. When a prospective home buyer purchases a house, there are certain inspections by the bank that must pass. This is especially the case with FHA or VA approved buyers, which is the majority of buyers these days. These buyers cannot buy a home as is if these conditions exist. The roof, mechanics, and foundation are just a few items that must be in working order for the bank to finance. Selling the house as is may be very difficult to these types of buyers. Solutions: If the house has not been upgraded in a long time, consider making the repairs yourself. Or, if funds are not available for repairs, consider contacting a home investor to buy the house as is. 4) Consult the Other Heirs: Certainly these decisions will all depend on the agreement of the heirs involved. Some heirs may need cash right now. Others may want to keep the house for other family members. Still others may want to rent it or live in it themselves. Sometimes, heirs who inherit a property jointly are considered “tenants in common.” In these situations, it is possible for one heir to force a sale of the property. However, this can be damaging to relationships between siblings. Otherwise, the Personal Representative can sell the property with the agreement between all parties. Solutions: Communication is the key here. The family members should consider all options before making any final decisions. But also consider that a vacant house can deteriorate if left unmaintained for too long. Also, depending on the location, vandalism is possible. Decisions should be discussed sooner rather than later. If you or someone you know is selling a house in probate, call us today and find out how we can help you. We offer a free consultation to homeowners, and we can help you with solutions for selling your house as is. Call us today at 405.259.2488 Selling a house as-is can be one option to consider if your house needs significant repairs. When a homeowner gets ready to sell their house, there are many things to consider when determining a price. Cracked walls, dingy paint, and outdated fixtures are just a few of the more common items that need attention.
But what happens if the repairs are major? After all, paint, carpet, and outdated fixtures are on the lower end of the budget. Higher priced repairs can often be a deal breaker for a new home buyer. When higher priced repairs are needed, selling a house as is may be a faster and easier way to sell without all the hassle. Below are a few of the pricier repair items that can break the budget, but also some solutions that can help in the selling process. 1) Roof Replacement: An old roof can be a deal killer for a prospective home buyer. When a house is contracted, a series of processes are set in motion before the bank will loan on a house. Inspectors must approve all major systems, or if repairs are needed, provide a punch list of needed repairs. A roof is a common, and expensive, repair item that some homeowners must consider before selling a home. Most home buyers know that a roof that is older than ten years it will need the be replaced sooner rather than later. Missing or curled shingles are one sign that a roof is questionable. Even more obvious is evidence of leaking through the sheetrock, like water stains on the ceiling. Solutions: If the roof is questionable, consider selling the home as is at a discount. A Cash or Conventional buyer is likely the best bet if a new roof is not in the budget. However, one note of caution is that just because a roof costs $10,000 does not mean someone will pay that much less than market value. Rather, buyers will discount further for the time and hassle involved with installing a new roof. After all, they can go elsewhere and buy a similar house with a good roof with no hassle. An easier solution is to find someone who can pay cash or use conventional financing. Or another solution is to contact a home investor that buys houses for cash. A company that buys houses as a business will pay cash and close with the least amount of hassle. 2) Central Heat & Air: Another costly item that can spell trouble is the air system. This is a critical item because it affects the quality of life for a new buyer. A dysfunctional heat & air system is a red flag for a home inspector also. With FHA and VA approved buyers, these systems are critical to passing the required home inspection before the bank will fund the loan. Solutions: Here again, selling the home as-is can save a lot of out-of-pocket expense on the front end. Certainly having the items repaired can net a higher sales price, but after considering the time-on-market, additional mortgage payments, real estate commissions, and hassle involved, it becomes a cost-verses-benefits scenario. And if funds are not available for repairs, selling the home at a discounted price to a cash buyer or home investment company can save a lot of money, time, and hassle. Before deciding to sell a house, consider all the costs and potential benefits involved. Even if no repairs are needed, there are still costs associated with selling a house the traditional way. And if significant repairs are needed, these costs can get out of control quickly. With buyers having control of the market, virtually all buyers’ agents are asking for closing costs. And this does not come cheap. Then there are Realtor® commissions, and seller’s closing costs. If you or someone you know have a house in need of repairs, call us today and find out how we can help you. We offer a free consultation to homeowners, and we can help you with solutions for selling your house as is. Call us today at 405.259.2488 |
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