How to Sell a House in Mayfield, KY | 2026 Guide

Inherited house and who signs

The court must appoint a personal representative (executor or administrator) first. Once the estate is open, you can sell in the estate’s name without putting the house in your own name. If the will gives the representative power to sell real estate, they can usually sell without a separate court order. If it does not, the representative needs an order from District Court after giving notice to everyone with an interest in the house; the order must be final and the appeal period over before the deed can transfer, and a certified copy is recorded with the deed. A surviving spouse may also have rights in the house, even if not named on the deed. Kentucky’s surviving-spouse rules changed on July 15, 2026. Any liens still need to be paid or released at closing. If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one. Not sure? Call us — we’ll sort it out with you.

KRS 395.015, appointment of a personal representative · KRS 395.195(6), representative powers · KRS 389A.010, court order granting power to sell · KRS 389A.015, recording the order · KRS 392.020, surviving-spouse interest.

Mortgage foreclosure and a master commissioner sale

A sale may still be possible if the loan can be paid off before the auction. Kentucky foreclosures go through Circuit Court. After judgment, the court can order a public auction run by the master commissioner. Court rules generally call for the auction within 90 days after referral, require two disinterested people to appraise the house first, and require advertising at least once 7 to 21 days before the auction. The court confirms the sale before a deed is issued. If the house sells for less than two-thirds of its appraised value, the owner can redeem it within six months by repaying the sale price plus 10% interest and certain costs.

If a sale date is coming up, call us and we’ll go through the timing with you.

KRS 426.530, redemption after a low auction sale · KRS 426.560, judicial-sale advertising · Kentucky Supreme Court Order 2024-40, master commissioner sale rules.

Selling a rental with tenants

You don’t always need to evict to sell to us. We buy houses with tenants in place — we’ve done it many times, including cash-for-keys when that works better for everyone. The lease continues after a sale, and the buyer becomes the landlord; the tenant does not have to consent to the sale. Rent paid to the former owner before written notice of the sale does not have to be paid again. In Kentucky cities and counties that adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, security deposits must be kept in a separate account, and written notice affects when the seller’s responsibility ends. At closing, transfer the deposit and prorated rent to the buyer and tell tenants who holds the deposit and where to pay rent.

KRS 383.100, sale and rent notice · KRS 383.500, local adoption · KRS 383.580, security deposits · KRS 383.600, notice of sale.

Kentucky real estate transfer tax and closing costs

Kentucky’s real estate transfer tax is 50 cents for each $500 of value or fraction of $500—about 0.1%. The grantor, the person transferring the deed, is responsible under state law. The value includes the full price, including liens the buyer takes over. Some transfers are exempt, including certain foreclosure, spouse-to-spouse, and government transfers; recording fees are separate. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the Kentucky real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.

KRS 142.050, Kentucky real estate transfer tax.