Jefferson County
Jefferson County Probate Court lists Birmingham and Bessemer recording divisions. The state directory separately lists the Tax Assessor and Tax Collector; confirm which desk and division handles the property record.
You stop paying for a house and get a fair price.
You can sell in the estate's name once the estate is opened — no need to put the house in your own name first. If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.
Birmingham, Alabama · Inherited property
Call 888-274-5006 to talk about the propertyWe'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us the address, what is in the house, and what you know about the estate.
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What we do with an inherited house
USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Birmingham, Alabama and Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
Sell an inherited house without cleanout, repairs, or hauling away a lifetime of belongings — we take it as it is. You can tell us which items you want to keep and what may remain; we can put the contents plan in the written terms.
While a house is in an estate, property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, and any mortgage payment can keep coming due. We do not assume you want to sell. If you decide to compare a sale, we can look at the house as-is so you can weigh the written offer against those carrying costs and the work of listing.
What happens next
- 1. Talk through the property. Share the address, condition, contents, and what estate paperwork you have. You can call or use the form; you do not need to finish a cleanout first.
- 2. Read the offer and terms. We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You get the written offer and written terms before you commit.
- 3. Close through a title company. The title company checks the deed, estate authority, required signatures, and closing records, then coordinates settlement. The property records and estate file determine the steps and timing.
Signing from another location
Sell from anywhere in the country — we can send a notary to you, and you don't have to attend settlement or even visit the property.
See what you might keep
Compare a written as-is offer with a listing estimate after repairs, commissions, carrying costs, and closing costs. Use assumptions that fit this house rather than a generic percentage.
Open the Birmingham home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Alabama estate rules and deed tax
Often, yes, you can sell before the estate is finished—but the person signing needs authority. The probate court appoints a personal representative, the person who handles the estate. If there is a will, this is usually the executor it names. The court’s letters show that person’s authority. Alabama generally requires a will to be filed for probate within five years after death. See Ala. Code § 43-8-161.
If the will expressly authorizes the personal representative to sell the house, the sale can usually proceed under that power. Otherwise, the representative needs the probate court’s approval before selling estate property. If no estate is open, heirs may be able to sell together, but everyone with an ownership interest must participate. Estate debts and a surviving spouse’s rights can affect title. See Ala. Code § 43-2-844 and § 43-2-830. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm what the actual file requires.
We help coordinate the sale, but we do not provide legal advice. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm who has authority to sign for the estate.
Alabama charges deed tax when the deed is recorded with the county probate judge: 50 cents for each $500 of taxable value, or any part of $500. Certain mortgages or vendor’s liens may reduce taxable value if Alabama mortgage tax was paid; the closing attorney can confirm the amount. Proof of the actual price or value must accompany the deed, and recording fees are separate. Some deeds are exempt. See Ala. Code § 40-22-1 and the Alabama Department of Revenue recordation-tax guidance.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Alabama's deed tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Local estate and deed offices
The current incorporated City of Birmingham boundary intersects Jefferson, Shelby, and Walker Counties. A Birmingham mailing address does not identify the county for a specific parcel. Check the deed or tax record, then use the matching county office. The Census TIGERweb county-intersection query shows the current county boundaries.
If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one. These official office links are starting points; confirm the correct desk for the estate, deed, or tax record.
Shelby County
The Shelby County Property Tax Office and Probate Office are in Columbiana. The Probate Office lists separate recording and judicial contacts; confirm the right desk for the deed or estate file.
Walker County
Walker County lists separate assessing and collecting contacts at its Revenue Commissioner office in Jasper. The Probate Office also lists separate recording and judicial phone lines; confirm which office handles your record.
Questions and contact
Questions about selling an inherited Birmingham house
Can I sell an inherited Alabama house before the estate is finished?
Often, yes, once the person signing has authority. The probate court appoints a personal representative, and the court’s letters show that person’s authority. If the will expressly authorizes a sale, the representative can usually proceed under that power; otherwise, court approval is generally needed before selling estate property. The title company or a qualified attorney can check the will, appointment, deed, and title records.
Who can sign for an inherited house in Alabama?
If an estate is open, the court-appointed personal representative handles the estate. The will may name an executor, but the appointment, letters, will, and any required court approval determine who can sign. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm the signer for the property.
Do I have to put the house in my own name before selling?
You can sell in the estate's name once the estate is opened — no need to put the house in your own name first. In Alabama, the will and court appointment matter: the will may authorize the personal representative to sell, or court approval may be needed. We help coordinate the sale, but we do not provide legal advice. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm who has authority to sign for the estate.
What if no estate has been opened?
The heirs may be able to sell together if they hold the ownership interests, but everyone with an ownership interest must participate. Estate debts and a surviving spouse’s rights can still affect title. Have the deed and estate records checked before deciding who must sign.
What deed tax applies when an Alabama house is sold?
Alabama deed tax is 50 cents for each $500 of taxable value, or any part of $500. The closing attorney can confirm the taxable value and whether a mortgage-tax deduction or exemption applies. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Alabama’s deed tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Do I have to clean out or repair the inherited house first?
No. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. Sell an inherited house without cleanout, repairs, or hauling away a lifetime of belongings — we take it as it is. You can tell us what you want to keep and what may remain so the written terms are clear.
Can I sign from outside Alabama?
Sell from anywhere in the country — we can send a notary to you, and you don't have to attend settlement or even visit the property.
When will I get a written cash offer?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. The offer and written terms are specific to the property; the offer timing does not promise a particular amount, legal or title result, or closing date.
Talk with us about the inherited house
Call 888-274-5006 or send the address and what you know about the house and estate.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us about the property and the estate records you have.