We buy the house and handle the contents
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 do not fix anything or clear the house before selling to us.
Tell us which belongings the family wants to keep. The written terms can spell out what stays with the house. While the estate is being handled, the property may keep bringing bills for utilities, property taxes, insurance, upkeep, and any mortgage payments. Comparing a sale is an option; it does not assume the house was unwanted.
What happens next
- Tell us the Chico property address, its condition, what is happening with the estate, and what the family wants to keep.
- We talk through the house and the information available about the property and estate.
- We give you a written cash offer within 24 hours. You receive the written offer and terms before you commit.
- If you choose to proceed, a title company coordinates title review, signing, and closing. Any estate authority, notice, or court-confirmation requirement still applies.
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.
Compare what you keep
Compare a written offer with estimated net proceeds after the costs and carrying expenses that apply to this house. The calculator uses editable assumptions; it is an estimate, not a property-specific closing statement.
Use the Chico home-sale net-proceeds calculator →California estate rules and taxes
Often, an inherited California house can be sold before probate is finished. For a house owned by an estate, the court-appointed personal representative—the executor or administrator—is the person who signs for the estate. Being an heir or named in a will alone does not establish authority. The title company or a qualified attorney can check the appointment, authority, deed, and title for this house.
With full authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act, the representative can sell without a court confirmation hearing after giving heirs and beneficiaries a Notice of Proposed Action at least 15 days before acting. If someone objects, the sale goes through court supervision. See California Probate Code § 10511, § 10586 and § 10589.
With limited authority, a real-property sale needs court supervision. The court confirms the sale at a hearing where others may overbid, and a private sale generally must bring at least 90% of a recent appraisal. See California Probate Code § 10501, § 10309 and the Judicial Council’s Report of Sale and Petition for Order Confirming Sale (DE-260).
Some surviving spouses or heirs may qualify for simpler court procedures, such as a spousal property petition or a primary-residence petition. For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, a primary-residence petition may apply to a home worth up to $750,000. California Courts explains when formal probate may not be needed. Recorded loans and liens must be paid or released at closing.
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.
For a taxable transfer with consideration over $100, California counties charge documentary transfer tax at $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500 ($1.10 per $1,000). The calculation excludes a lien or loan that stays on the property after the sale. A city may take half of the county rate as a credit against it, while some cities add a larger tax on top. The county recorder collects the tax when the deed is recorded. State law assigns responsibility to a person who signs or benefits from the deed, though the purchase agreement can allocate the cost; escrow should confirm the local rules and taxable amount. Some transfers are exempt. See California Revenue and Taxation Code § 11911, § 11912 and § 11931.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the county documentary transfer tax and any city transfer tax. This does not pay the seller’s mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Local help and seller reviews
If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one. Chico is in Butte County. The Butte County Superior Court says its Probate Division handles probate matters for the whole county.
Superior Court of California, County of Butte — Probate Division
North Butte County Courthouse, 1775 Concord Avenue, Chico, CA 95928. Probate Division phone: (530) 532-7017. Contact information is a routing aid, not a decision about a specific estate.
Testimonials are real, from our transactions, verified and approved by our attorneys. The sellers’ actual towns are shown with their reviews.
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Questions and contact
Questions about selling an inherited Chico house
Can I sell an inherited California house before probate is finished?
Often, yes. For an estate-owned house, the court-appointed personal representative—the executor or administrator—is the person who signs for the estate. The representative’s authority determines whether a court confirmation hearing or notice is needed. The title company or a qualified attorney can review the estate file and title for this house.
Who can sign to sell a house owned by an estate?
The court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator) signs for an estate, subject to the authority granted and any required notice or court process. Being an heir or named in a will alone does not establish authority. 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.
Do I have to put the inherited house in my own name before selling it?
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. 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 changes if the representative has limited authority?
With limited authority, a sale of real property needs court supervision. The court confirms the sale at a hearing where others may overbid, and a private sale generally must bring at least 90% of a recent appraisal. The estate record and title review determine what applies to the property.
Could a simpler California procedure apply instead of full probate?
Some surviving spouses or heirs may qualify for a spousal property petition or another simpler court procedure. For deaths on or after April 1, 2025, a primary-residence petition may apply to a home worth up to $750,000. Eligibility depends on the facts and statutory requirements; California Courts explains when formal probate may not be needed.
Do I need to clear out belongings or make repairs first?
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. Tell us what the family wants to keep so the written terms can say what remains with the house.
What transfer tax applies when an inherited California house sells?
For a covered transfer, California counties charge documentary transfer tax at $0.55 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500 ($1.10 per $1,000). A city may impose tax too, and the taxable amount and local treatment depend on the property and transaction. Ask the title company or escrow to confirm the county, any city tax, and amount for this sale. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the county documentary transfer tax and any city transfer tax. This does not pay a mortgage, liens, back taxes, or the seller’s share of current property taxes.
Can I sign if I live outside California?
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.
What happens to a mortgage or lien on the inherited house?
Recorded loans and liens must be paid or released at closing. The title company checks the current records and payoffs; those amounts are separate from the closing costs we pay.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation.
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