Michigan guide
Selling an Inherited House in Michigan
Inheriting a house in Michigan comes with two separate jobs: transferring the title and deciding what to do with the property. They don’t always move at the same speed.
Does it have to go through probate?
It depends on how the property was titled. A house held in a living trust, or titled jointly with rights of survivorship, may pass outside probate. A house that was solely in the deceased person’s name usually goes through the probate court in the county where they lived.
Michigan has simplified procedures for smaller estates, but the thresholds and eligibility rules are specific. A probate attorney can tell you in one conversation which path applies.
Who can sign the deed
Until the court appoints a personal representative and issues letters of authority, no one has the legal power to sell the house — even if you’re the only child and everyone agrees. Once appointed, the personal representative signs on behalf of the estate.
If the house passed outside probate, the deed needs to be recorded in the names of the heirs before a sale.
When there are multiple heirs
Every heir on title generally needs to agree to the sale and sign. When one heir wants to sell and another doesn’t, the options are usually a buyout, a partition action, or waiting. A cash buyer can’t shortcut that — but a written offer can make the conversation concrete.
What a cash buyer needs from you
- The death certificate and the will, if there is one.
- Letters of authority, once the court issues them.
- A title search to identify liens, taxes, and any old mortgages.
- Confirmation of who is on title and who signs.
Disclosure and taxes
Michigan’s seller disclosure requirements apply to most residential sales, but estate and probate transfers are commonly treated as exempt. Confirm the exemption with your attorney rather than assuming it.
On the tax side, inherited property often receives a stepped-up basis, which can change the capital gains picture significantly. That’s a question for a CPA — it depends on the date of death, the value at that time, and what happens afterward.
A realistic timeline
A straightforward probate file in Michigan can take several months; contested estates take longer. The property’s condition doesn’t change that timeline, but it does change how many buyers are interested. A house that needs work narrows the pool to cash buyers and investors.
Selling a house in Michigan? Tell us the address and what you know about the condition. We’ll follow up with questions and a written offer if it’s a fit.
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