Inherited a Property and Not Sure What to Do With It? I Can Help.
Inheriting a property can feel overwhelming. There are decisions to make, costs to consider, and often an emotional connection to the home that makes everything harder. I buy inherited properties across the North West and I will give you honest, straightforward advice on your options.
WHAT IS PROBATE
Understanding the Probate Process.
Probate is the legal process of administering the estate of someone who has passed away. Before a property can be sold, the executor named in the will must obtain a Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry. This document gives them the legal authority to deal with the estate including selling any property within it.
If there is no will, a family member must apply for Letters of Administration before they can act on behalf of the estate. This process can take several months depending on the complexity of the estate and how busy the Probate Registry is at the time.
During this period, the property must continue to be maintained and insured. Council tax will need to be paid. Utility bills may continue to accrue. For many families this is an unexpected financial pressure on top of everything else they are dealing with.
CAN YOU SELL A PROPERTY BEFORE PROBATE IS GRANTED
Starting the Process Before Probate Arrives.
You cannot legally complete a sale before probate is granted. However, you can begin the process of finding a buyer, agreeing a price, and getting everything in place so that the moment probate comes through, the sale can complete quickly without any further delay.
This is exactly how I work with executors. We have a conversation about the property and the situation. I carry out my research and come back with an offer. If the offer works, I instruct a RICS accredited surveyor at my own cost. We agree a final price and I pay a £1,000 deposit into escrow with your solicitor to lock that price in.
Then we wait for probate. The moment it arrives, we are ready to complete immediately. That approach can save weeks or even months compared to starting the sale process from scratch once probate is granted.
WHY A CASH SALE WORKS WELL FOR PROBATE PROPERTIES
Why Selling Directly to Me Makes Sense for Probate Situations.
Probate properties are often older homes that have not been updated for many years. On the open market, properties in need of updating attract fewer buyers, take longer to sell, and often face significant price reductions following surveys. Buyers who need mortgage finance may struggle to get approval on a property that needs work, narrowing the pool of interested parties further.
A cash sale removes all of those complications. I buy properties in any condition. The state of the property is never a barrier to me making an offer. I have bought probate properties that needed full refurbishment, properties with significant contents still inside, and properties that had been empty for months. Whatever the situation, I can handle it.
I CAN HELP WITH CLEARING THE PROPERTY
The Contents Are Not Your Problem to Deal With.
One of the most time consuming and emotionally draining parts of a probate sale is dealing with the contents of the property before it can be sold. Arranging clearance companies, deciding what to keep and what to remove, managing the process remotely if you do not live locally. It is exhausting on top of everything else that comes with losing someone.
I can buy the property exactly as it stands, including the contents. You do not need to arrange clearances or spend weeks sorting through belongings before the sale can proceed. This is exactly what I did for Kim, who inherited her father’s property. I bought it as it was, contents included, and took the entire burden off her hands at what was already an incredibly difficult time.
If you would prefer to remove certain items before completion that is absolutely fine. But if you would rather just hand the keys over and leave the rest to me, I can make that happen.
WHAT EXECUTORS TELL ME THEY VALUED MOST
The Contents Are Not Your Problem to Deal With.
One of the most time consuming and emotionally draining parts of a probate sale is dealing with the contents of the property before it can be sold. Arranging clearance companies, deciding what to keep and what to remove, managing the process remotely if you do not live locally. It is exhausting on top of everything else that comes with losing someone.
I can buy the property exactly as it stands, including the contents. You do not need to arrange clearances or spend weeks sorting through belongings before the sale can proceed. This is exactly what I did for Kim, who inherited her father’s property. I bought it as it was, contents included, and took the entire burden off her hands at what was already an incredibly difficult time.
If you would prefer to remove certain items before completion that is absolutely fine. But if you would rather just hand the keys over and leave the rest to me, I can make that happen.
WHAT EXECUTORS TELL ME THEY VALUED MOST
- One person to deal with throughout the entire process.
- No viewings, no estate agents, no strangers walking through a family home.
- A price agreed upfront with a RICS survey carried out at Matt’s cost.
- A £1,000 deposit held in escrow by the seller’s solicitor locking the price in place.
- A sale that completes on a timescale that fits around the probate timeline.
- The option to leave the contents in the property with no clearance required.
- Someone who understands the emotional nature of the situation and treats it with respect.
THE PROCESS FOR PROBATE PROPERTIES
Step 1
Get in Touch. Call me, message me, or fill in the form. Tell me about the property and where you are in the probate process. There is no rush and no obligation at this stage.
Step 2
I Come Back With an Offer Within 24 Hours. I assess the property and come back to you personally with an honest cash offer within 24 hours. No inflated figures designed to get you interested. A real number based on real research.
Step 3
RICS Survey at My Cost. If the offer works for you in principle, I instruct a RICS accredited surveyor at my own cost. No charge to you at any stage of the process.
Step 4
Price Locked and Waiting for Probate. Once we have agreed a final price, I pay a £1,000 deposit into escrow with your solicitor. The price is locked. We then wait for probate to be granted at whatever pace the process takes.
Step 5
Completion as Soon as Probate Arrives. The moment the Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is confirmed, we are ready to complete immediately. Funds transfer to the estate on completion day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR PROBATE SELLERS
The probate process typically takes between three and six months, though it can take longer for complex estates or if there are disputes among beneficiaries. Starting the sale process before probate is granted means you are ready to complete the moment it arrives rather than starting from scratch.
Yes. Condition is never a barrier for me. I buy probate properties in any condition including those requiring full refurbishment. I carry out all renovation work with my own team of contractors after purchase.
This is very common and I am used to working with situations where multiple parties need to be kept informed and need to agree on the final price. I am patient, I communicate clearly, and I will work at whatever pace the situation requires.
Yes. A solicitor is required to handle the legal transfer of ownership on a probate property. I cover your legal fees in full so there is no cost to you. I can recommend solicitors experienced in probate sales if you do not already have one.
Yes. I can buy the property with the contents included if that is easier for you. There is no need to arrange clearances or remove anything before completion unless you want to.
Dealing With a Probate Property and Not Sure Where to Start?
Get in touch for a no obligation conversation. I will talk you through your options honestly and if I can help I will tell you exactly how. There is no pressure and no rush. I understand these situations require patience and sensitivity and I will work at whatever pace suits you.
