We buy the house and handle the contents
Sell an inherited house without cleanout, repairs, or hauling away a lifetime of belongings — we take it as it is. You can take the belongings your family wants to keep; the written terms can say what remains with the house. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us.
While the estate is being handled, property taxes, insurance, heat, utilities, upkeep, and a mortgage can keep adding to the carrying costs. Which bills continue depends on the house and estate. You do not have to assume the house was unwanted to consider a sale.
What happens next
1. Talk through the house
Share the Farmington address, the house’s condition, what is inside, and what you know about the estate. You can call before every estate question is answered.
2. Review a written offer
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You can read the written offer and terms before you decide whether to proceed.
3. Close through a title company
If you choose to sell, the closing is through a title company. It can review the estate paperwork and coordinate the sale documents and signing.
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.
What the estate keeps after a sale
The offer is not the same as the amount the estate keeps. Compare the written offer with the mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, the property-tax share, and other sale costs that apply to this house. The calculator lets you compare possible net proceeds using your own assumptions.
Open the Farmington home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Maine estate rules and taxes
Often, the house can be sold before the estate is finished. The person appointed by the Probate Court to handle the estate is called the personal representative; the court’s letters of appointment show who was appointed. When the house is being sold through the estate, Maine law generally lets that representative sell estate land without a separate court order for each sale. The will or a court order can limit that power. In supervised administration, the court can add restrictions, so the title company or a qualified attorney should review the letters, will, and orders for this estate.
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.
A surviving spouse is entitled to a $22,500 homestead allowance from the estate, paid ahead of most estate debts. The personal representative must account for the allowance when paying estate obligations. An estate attorney can explain how it applies to the family’s situation.
Maine’s real estate transfer tax is $2.20 for each $500 of value, or fraction of $500, and the law splits it equally between seller and buyer. Since November 1, 2025, value above $1 million carries an additional $3.80 per $500; most homes are not affected. Some transfers are exempt, including certain personal-representative deeds to heirs, but exemptions have conditions and a regular sale to a buyer usually does not qualify.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Maine sources
Local estate and deed-record help
Farmington is Franklin County’s seat, but the Town and County have separate roles: the Town Assessor handles municipal assessment questions, while County offices handle probate and land records. If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.
Franklin County Probate Court
County probate-court information and estate-file routing.
140 Main Street, Suite 6, Farmington, ME 04938 · (207) 778-5888
Franklin County Registry of Deeds
County land records, including recorded deeds.
140 Main Street, Suite 5, Farmington, ME 04938 · (207) 778-5889
Town of Farmington Assessor
Town assessment, property information, commitment-book, and tax-map questions.
Farmington Municipal Building, 153 Farmington Falls Road, Farmington, ME 04938 · (207) 778-6530
What sellers say about USA Home Buyers
Questions and contact
Questions about selling an inherited Farmington house
Can a personal representative sell an inherited Maine house before probate is finished?
Often, yes, after the Probate Court appoints a personal representative and issues letters of appointment. Maine law generally lets the representative sell estate land at a public or private sale without a separate court order for each sale, unless the will or a court order limits that power. In supervised administration, the court can add limits. The title company or a qualified attorney can review the letters, will, and court orders for this estate.
Who can sign for an inherited house in Maine?
When the house is being sold through the estate, the court-appointed personal representative handles the sale. The letters of appointment show who was appointed; being an heir or relative alone does not establish authority to sign. The will, any court restrictions, and title requirements can affect the sale. 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.
Do I need to clean out or repair the inherited house?
Sell an inherited house without cleanout, repairs, or hauling away a lifetime of belongings — we take it as it is. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. If family members want particular belongings, the written terms can say what remains with the house.
How does Maine real estate transfer tax apply to an inherited-house sale?
Maine taxes a deed that transfers real estate at $2.20 for every $500 of value, or fraction of $500, and state law splits the tax evenly between seller and buyer. Since November 1, 2025, value above $1 million carries an additional $3.80 per $500. Some transfers are exempt, including certain personal-representative deeds to heirs, but exemptions have conditions and a regular sale to a buyer usually does not qualify. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including the real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate.
Could a surviving spouse receive an allowance from the estate?
Maine law provides a $22,500 homestead allowance to a surviving spouse, paid ahead of most estate debts. The personal representative must account for it when paying estate obligations; an estate attorney can explain how it applies to the family’s situation.
Can I handle signing from outside Maine?
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 after I ask about an offer?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You can review the written offer and terms before you commit. If you choose to proceed, closing is through a title company.
Talk through the inherited Farmington house
Call 888-274-5006 or send the property details. You can ask questions before deciding whether to accept an offer.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us about the property and what is happening with the estate.