What we do with the house and its contents
Sell an inherited house without cleanout, repairs, or hauling away a lifetime of belongings — we take it as it is. If there are things you want to keep, we can talk through what stays and put it in the written terms.
While the estate is being settled, property taxes, utilities, insurance, and upkeep can keep costing money, even if nobody is living there.
What happens next
- We talk through the house, its condition, belongings, timing, and where the estate process stands.
- We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
- You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, and we close through a title company.
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 you keep
Compare what you might keep from an as-is sale or a possible listing with the Pella home-sale net-proceeds calculator.
Open the Pella home-sale net-proceeds calculator →Iowa estate rules, taxes, and who can sign
The estate's court-appointed personal representative handles the sale, not an heir acting alone. Iowa lets the representative sell estate real estate to pay debts, distribute the estate, or for another purpose in the estate's best interests. See Iowa Code § 633.386.
If the will gives the personal representative power to sell, the usual court sale steps do not apply under Iowa Code § 633.383. Otherwise, the representative petitions the court and gives notice to interested persons unless they waive it in writing. The representative then gets an order for the sale and later files a report so the court can approve it. See § 633.388, § 633.389, § 633.396, and § 633.399.
If the house is the estate's homestead, a surviving spouse may have the right to keep it. Any sale must follow the court's direction under Iowa Code § 561.12. Mortgages and other liens still need to be paid or released at closing.
Iowa inheritance tax does not apply to deaths on or after January 1, 2025. For the state’s current explanation, see the Iowa Department of Revenue inheritance-tax guidance.
Iowa real estate transfer tax is 80 cents for each $500, or fraction of $500, of the sale price above the first $500. The seller is normally liable, but some family, divorce, estate-distribution, and $500-or-less transfers are exempt. The county recorder collects the tax before recording the deed; the closing professional confirms whether it applies and the taxable amount. See the state's transfer-tax rate, exemptions, liability rule, and recording requirements. The Iowa Department of Revenue also publishes tax and fee rates.
Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from closing costs. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax.
Local estate and deed offices
Pella's city area crosses Marion and Mahaska counties, with separate county deed and property-tax offices. Not sure which county covers the property? Call us — we'll sort it out with you.
If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.
Marion County court information
Find Iowa Judicial Branch court information for Marion County.
Mahaska County court information
Find Iowa Judicial Branch court information for Mahaska County.
Marion County Recorder
For Marion County deed records and recording questions.
Mahaska County Recorder
For Mahaska County deed records and recording questions.
Marion County Assessor and Treasurer
For property assessments and property-tax questions in Marion County.
Mahaska County Assessor and Treasurer
For property assessments and property-tax questions in Mahaska County.
What our sellers say
“LISTEN, PROPERTY TAXES GOT TOO HIGH FOR MY FIXED INCOME. SOLD IT TO THEM. WALKED AWAY WITH CASH. GLAD IT'S OVER.”
“Facing foreclosure ... Very stressful time... They handled it professionally and got me out of the debt...”
“no open houses. no realtors tracking dirt in. just a straight cash sale for our house so we could move. Glad it's over.”
Questions about selling an inherited Pella house
Can I sell an inherited Iowa house before probate is finished?
Yes. The estate’s court-appointed personal representative can sell the house before probate is finished, not an heir acting alone. If the will gives the representative power to sell, the usual court sale steps do not apply. Otherwise, the representative petitions the court, gives notice to interested persons unless they waive it in writing, gets an order for the sale, and later files a report for court approval.
Who can sign for an inherited house in Pella?
The estate’s court-appointed personal representative handles the sale, not an heir acting alone. If the will gives the representative power to sell, the usual court sale steps do not apply; otherwise, the representative asks the court for an order and follows the notice and report steps.
Do I have to put the 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.
Can a surviving spouse keep an inherited homestead?
A homestead can be sold only as the court directs, and a surviving spouse may have the right to keep it.
Does Iowa inheritance tax apply to an inherited house?
Iowa inheritance tax does not apply to deaths on or after January 1, 2025.
Who pays Iowa real estate transfer tax when I sell to you?
Your mortgage, liens, back taxes, and share of current property taxes are separate from closing costs. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Iowa real estate transfer tax.
Can I sell 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.
How soon will I get a written cash offer?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Do I need to clear out or repair the house first?
No. We buy houses as-is, in any condition — no repairs, no cleaning, no cleanout required to sell to us. If there are things you want to keep, we can talk through what stays and put it in the written terms.
Questions or ready to discuss the house?
Call 888-274-5006 or use the form below. We answer 24/7.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Takes 2 minutes. No obligation.
Related Pella resources: seller resources · Pella questions and answers · Pella seller guide · as-is sale options