Inheriting a house can feel overwhelming—especially if it comes during an emotionally difficult time. On top of dealing with grief, you’re suddenly responsible for legal paperwork, financial decisions, and property upkeep. If you’ve recently inherited a home in Texas, here’s what you need to know and the first steps you should take.
What to Do Right After Inheriting a House in Texas
When you’re in line to inherit a home, taking the right first steps can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. Here’s a quick checklist to guide you:
- Communicate with the Executor – Establish a clear line of communication with the estate’s executor. This will help you access important documents and better understand the process of transferring ownership.
- Coordinate with Co-Heir – If there are multiple heirs, it’s important to work together early. Decide collectively whether to sell, keep, or rent the property to avoid disagreements or legal disputes.
- Get an Appraisal – An appraisal gives you a clear understanding of the property’s value, which is critical for taxes, selling, or renting decisions.
- Evaluate Debts – Identify any mortgages, liens, or other debts attached to the property. Compare these against the home’s value to understand your financial standing.
- Seek Professional Advice – Estate attorneys, financial advisors, and real estate experts can guide you through the legal and financial complexities of inheritance. Don’t hesitate to reach out to professionals for help.
Understand the Legal Process and Probate Requirements
In Texas, inheriting a property involves a few legal steps. First, determine whether the house needs to go through probate—the process by which a court validates a will and authorizes the transfer of property to heirs. If the deceased left a valid will (testate), the executor named in the will takes charge of the estate.
For estates worth over $75,000, the property typically must go through probate. However, if the estate is valued at less than $75,000, heirs can file a Small Estate Affidavit 30 days after the owner’s death to claim the property without full probate.
No Will? You’ll Likely Need an Affidavit of Heirship
When someone passes away without a valid will (intestate), the process becomes more complex. Texas law allows for property to be passed down through an Affidavit of Heirship, a document signed by uninterested witnesses who can confirm the family history and rightful heirs. This route can avoid probate but still requires attention to legal detail.
Evaluate Financial Implications and Tax Responsibilities
Once you’ve confirmed legal ownership, take time to assess the financial responsibilities tied to the property. These often include:
- Outstanding Debts: Mortgage, liens, or other obligations.
- Property Taxes & Insurance: These continue even if the owner passes away.
- Maintenance Costs: Regular upkeep, repairs, and utility bills.
What About Inheritance or Estate Taxes in Texas?
The good news is that Texas does not have a state inheritance or estate tax. However, you may still need to file:
The deceased’s final federal income tax return
A federal estate/trust income tax return
A federal estate tax return (only if the estate exceeds $13.99 million in 2025)
You’ll need to apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) with the IRS to handle estate taxes.
Consider the Condition and Value of the Property
Before making any decisions about what to do with the home, get a home inspection and property appraisal. The inspection identifies repair needs, while the appraisal provides a realistic market value.
Knowing the home’s condition and value helps you:
Decide whether it makes sense to keep, sell, or rent the property
Plan for any repairs or renovations
Understand the potential capital gains tax if you sell
Decide on Your Next Steps: Keep, Rent, or Sell
After getting a clear picture of the legal and financial situation, it’s time to decide what to do with the home.
Keep It: You might want to move in or hold on to the property for sentimental reasons.
Rent It Out: If you’re not ready to sell, renting could bring in passive income, though it also comes with the responsibilities of being a landlord.
Sell It: Selling can offer a clean break and immediate access to the home’s equity, especially if the property needs repairs or if there are debts to pay.
Evaluate your goals and circumstances carefully before deciding. If you’re unsure, professionals like real estate agents and financial advisors can provide clarity.
Seek Professional Advice and Support
Inheriting property can trigger legal, emotional, and financial challenges. Don’t try to do it all alone. Talk to:
Estate Attorneys: For probate or affidavit issues.
Financial Advisors: To help manage tax implications and property expenses.
Real Estate Professionals: To assess value, market trends, and selling options.
Having experienced professionals on your side can make the transition smoother and ensure you don’t overlook important steps.
Inheriting a house in Texas can come with unexpected decisions and emotional weight. But when you take the right first steps—communicating with the executor, assessing the property, understanding legal requirements, and seeking professional help—you can protect your peace of mind and make confident, informed choices.
If the property isn’t something you want to hold onto, and you’re looking for a simple, fast way to sell—we can help. At Sell My San Antonio House, we buy inherited homes in any condition, with no repairs, no fees, and no waiting. We’ve helped hundreds of families navigate difficult transitions by offering a fair, cash offer and closing on your schedule.
If you’re ready to sell your inherited house fast and without the stress, reach out to us today.
Call us at (210) 201-6644 Visit SellMySanAntonioHouse.com Or fill out our quick form to get a free, no-obligation offer
Let us help you move forward—simply, respectfully, and on your terms.
Inheriting a house doesn’t have to be hard, but sometimes when people inherit a property, it’s a great gift that they got, but there’s also a lot of emotions, there’s grief, there’s, “I don’t know what to do with this property. What’s the right decision? What’s best for me?” And I’ve seen it a lot of times. I’ve been buying houses for over 15 years and a lot of those properties were inherited. So if you get it, you’ve got this property, somebody’s given you this gift, well, what should you do with it? You got a few choices, right? One, you could keep it, but lots of times that house either isn’t the right fit for the person that inherited it, or they already have their own home, or they may be out of town, or they really just don’t want a second one, or they don’t want this particular property. Okay. Choice two, you could sell it with a realtor. That’s not what we specialize in, but there are houses that are a good fit for an agent to list them on the market and put them up.
And then there’s the ones that aren’t a good fit for that or that’s not a good fit for the family that’s inherited it. Those are two different things, and it really is about you, your situation and what you’re looking for. Where people come to us or they find us, it’s a quick cash sale. We will take it as is. That is an advantage for certain people, people who… Like this property was inherited here. We purchased it. Needs a lot of repairs. The person that left it to the heirs is a little older, had not been able to do the maintenance, and now the property is not in the best shape. They still wanted to sell it. They want to sell it for cash. They want to be done quickly and put the whole thing behind them. There, we’re a good fit. We’re a good fit because as is, it’s quick, it’s cash, there’s no inspections, there’s no repairs. It’s a really, really easy, simple process. Sometimes those properties need a lot of repair, sometimes they need a little, sometimes people just want to move on and get things put behind them.
If you’ve inherited a property, think about your options. Is this the right property? Should we keep it? Does it fit our family now? Does it fit me? Or is it better to take this gift that I’ve been given and sell it and use that money and use that for something better for me, for my family? If the property’s in great shape, you’re not in a hurry, doesn’t need any repairs, and you feel like an agent might be the best fit, then there’s that option. And then there’s the option of, “Hey, well, what if I just wanted to move forward, I wanted to move quickly and sell it as is?” If that is something that you’d like to explore, please give us a call. Two ten two zero one six six four four, or you can find us on the website, SellMySanAntonioHouse.com.