What we do with the house and its 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.
A house can still bring carrying costs while the estate holds it: mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, utilities, and upkeep. You can compare those ongoing costs with the written offer and the estate's other options; we do not assume the house was unwanted.
What happens next
- We talk through the Marshalltown address, the house's condition and contents, access, timing, and what you know about the estate.
- We give you a written cash offer and written terms before you commit. You can review them and decide whether they fit.
- If you choose to proceed, the title company works through title, payoff, and closing documents with the estate's authorized representative. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm who must sign.
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 the written cash offer with an estimate of what a listing might net after repairs, commissions, carrying costs, and closing costs. Adjust the assumptions to fit this house and estate.
Use the Marshalltown home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Iowa estate rules and taxes
Who can sign and when the estate can sell
An Iowa estate can often sell real estate before probate is finished, but the sale normally goes through the estate's court-appointed personal representative—the person the court appointed to handle the estate—not an heir acting alone. The representative can sell estate real estate to pay debts, distribute the estate, or for another purpose in the estate's best interests.
If the will gives the representative power to sell, the usual court sale steps do not apply. Otherwise, the representative petitions the court and gives notice to interested people unless they waive it in writing. The representative obtains an order for the sale and later files a report so the court can approve it. A homestead can be sold only as the court directs, and a surviving spouse may have the right to keep it.
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.
Inheritance tax and sale transfer tax
Iowa inheritance tax does not apply to deaths on or after January 1, 2025. This is Iowa inheritance tax only; it does not answer other tax questions for an estate or heir.
Iowa's real estate transfer tax is 80 cents for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the price above the first $500. The person conveying the property—normally the seller—is liable under state law. Exemptions include certain family and estate-distribution transfers, so the closing professional confirms whether the tax applies and the taxable amount. The county recorder will not record the deed until applicable tax is paid.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax. That does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Iowa law and tax sources
- Iowa Code § 633.383 — power to sell given in a will
- Iowa Code § 633.386 — purposes of sale and homestead
- Iowa Code § 633.388 — petition to sell estate real estate
- Iowa Code § 633.389 — notice of a proposed sale
- Iowa Code § 633.396 — order for sale
- Iowa Code § 633.399 — report for court approval
- Iowa Code § 561.12 — surviving spouse and homestead
- Iowa Code chapter 428A — transfer tax and recording
- Iowa Code § 428A.1 — transfer-tax rate
- Iowa Code § 428A.2 — transfer-tax exemptions
- Iowa Code § 428A.3 — who is liable for transfer tax
- Iowa Department of Revenue: Introduction to Iowa Inheritance Tax
Local help and reviews
If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.
The court and recorder can point you to current public procedures and records. The estate's court file, deed, and title review—not family relationship alone—determine who can sign for this property.
Iowa Courts: Marshall County District Court
Use the court’s Marshall County page to find the local court route for estate and probate questions. The live estate record determines the steps for a specific sale.
Marshall County Recorder
The county recorder handles deed recording. Ask the office about its current recording instructions; the closing professional can confirm the filing and transfer-tax requirements for this deed.
Iowa Department of Revenue: inheritance tax
Read Iowa’s current inheritance-tax guidance. It does not determine federal or other state tax consequences for an individual estate.
Questions about an inherited house
Inherited-property questions
Can an inherited Iowa house be sold before probate is finished?
Often, yes. The sale normally goes through the estate's court-appointed personal representative—the person the court appointed to handle the estate—not an heir acting alone. The will, court file, title, and any homestead or spouse rights can change the steps for a particular house.
Who can sign to sell an inherited Marshall County house?
Usually the estate’s court-appointed personal representative handles the sale. If the will gives that representative power to sell, the usual court sale steps do not apply. Otherwise, the representative petitions the court, gives notice to interested people unless they waive it in writing, obtains an order, and later files a report for court approval. The estate file and title review determine who signs for this property.
Do I have to put the inherited house in my own name first?
You can sell in the estate's name once the estate is opened — no need to put the house in your own name first. The title company or a qualified attorney can confirm who has authority to sign for the estate.
Does Iowa charge inheritance tax on an inherited house?
Iowa inheritance tax does not apply to deaths on or after January 1, 2025. Other tax questions depend on the estate and the sale; use the Iowa Department of Revenue guidance and ask a qualified tax professional about your situation.
What transfer tax applies when an Iowa house sells?
Iowa real estate transfer tax is 80 cents for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the price above the first $500. Exemptions apply to some transfers, including certain family and estate-distribution transfers, so the closing professional confirms whether tax applies and the taxable amount. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax.
Do I need to empty or repair an inherited house before selling to you?
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.
Can I sign from outside Iowa?
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. The estate’s title and signing requirements still need to be followed.
How soon will I get a written cash offer?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You can review the written offer and written terms before you commit; the title company handles closing after the estate’s authority and title requirements are confirmed.
Are mortgage balances, liens, and property taxes included in your closing-cost payment?
No. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax. Your mortgage payoff, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes remain separate and are handled through the property-specific closing.
Related Marshalltown resources
Talk through the inherited house
Call 888-274-5006 or send the Marshalltown property address. We buy houses as-is in Marshalltown and Marshall County.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Written offer and written terms before you commit; title-company closing.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us where the house is and what is happening with the estate.