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. You can set aside the belongings your family wants to keep and leave the rest for us to handle as part of the sale.
While the estate keeps a house, carrying costs can continue: property taxes, insurance, utilities, upkeep, and any mortgage payment. You do not have to take on repairs, cleaning, or a cleanout before asking about a sale.
What happens next
1. Talk through the house
Share the address, condition, access, belongings, timing, and where the estate stands. You can start with the information you have.
2. Review written terms
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You get a written offer and written terms before you commit, so you can read them and compare your options.
3. Close through a title company
If you choose to proceed, the title company reviews the deed, estate authority, and closing documents with the appropriate people.
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 you keep and how to compare the numbers
Set aside the belongings your family wants to keep. For the financial comparison, use your own assumptions to compare a direct sale with a listing, including costs and possible proceeds rather than headline prices alone.
Pontiac home-sale net proceeds calculator →Michigan estate rules and transfer taxes
An appointed personal representative can generally sell estate real estate during administration without a separate court order, while acting for the estate and following the will and any court restrictions. A state or county public administrator needs court approval before selling estate real estate. The deed, will, current appointment papers, and any court restrictions determine who can sign and what is needed to close. Being named in a will does not by itself give someone the personal representative's powers.
Michigan law sets the representative's appointment and powers, including the power to sell estate property. Supervised administration and the estate's documents can affect the sale. See MCL 700.3103, MCL 700.3711, MCL 700.3715 and MCL 700.3504.
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 an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan state real estate transfer tax is $3.75 for each $500 of the property's value at the time of sale, or part of $500. Oakland County's real estate transfer tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part of $500. The seller is generally responsible under state law. State and county exemptions are separate, so the property, sale value, and any exemption need to be checked for the actual sale. See the Michigan state transfer-tax statutes and county transfer-tax statutes.
When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
Oakland County estate, deed, and tax offices
Oakland County lists its Probate Court, Register of Deeds, and Treasurer offices in Pontiac. The estate case and recorded deed are separate records; use the office that handles the question you have.
If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one.
Oakland County Probate Court
1200 N. Telegraph Road, Department 457, Pontiac, MI 48341 · 248-858-0260. The county page links estate case information, MiFILE, and Court Explorer.
Open the official office page →Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds
1200 North Telegraph Road, Department 480, Pontiac, MI 48341 · 248-858-0597. Use this office route for recorded land documents and property records.
Open the official office page →Oakland County Treasurer
1200 North Telegraph Road, Pontiac, MI 48341 · 248-858-0611. The county page provides property-tax and delinquent-tax assistance information.
Open the official office page →City of Pontiac Treasurer
47450 Woodward Avenue, first floor, Pontiac, MI 48342 · 248-758-3062. Contact the city about its property-tax billing and payments.
Open the official office page →Related Pontiac resources
Questions about selling an inherited house in Pontiac
Can I sell an inherited Michigan house before probate is finished?
Often, yes. An appointed personal representative can generally sell estate real estate during administration without a separate court order, while acting for the estate and following the will and any court restrictions. A state or county public administrator needs court approval before selling estate real estate. The deed, will, and current appointment papers determine who can sign and what is needed to close; being named in a will does not by itself give someone the personal representative's powers. 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.
Who can sign for an inherited house in Michigan?
The appointed personal representative is the starting point. Current appointment papers, the will, deed, and any court restrictions determine who may sign and what the title company needs. A public administrator needs court approval before selling estate real 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.
Do I have to put the inherited 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. If you need an estate attorney, we can help you find one. The estate's current authority and the deed requirements for this property still need to be confirmed.
Do I have to empty, clean, or repair the house 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. You can keep the belongings your family wants; the written terms can identify what remains with the house.
Can I sign from outside Michigan?
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 transfer taxes apply to a house sale in Oakland County?
For an ordinary taxable sale, Michigan state real estate transfer tax is $3.75 for each $500 of value, or part of $500. Oakland County's real estate transfer tax is generally another 55 cents for each $500, or part of $500. State and county exemptions are separate, so the property, sale value, and any exemption need to be checked for the actual sale. When you sell to us, we pay the closing costs, including Michigan state and county real estate transfer taxes. This does not pay your mortgage, liens, back taxes, or share of current property taxes.
When will I get a written cash offer?
We give written cash offers in 24 hours. You receive written terms before you commit, and closing is through a title company.
Talk with us about the inherited house
Call 888-274-5006 or tell us about the property. USA Home Buyers buys houses as-is in Pontiac and Oakland County.
We'll give you a written cash offer within 24 hours.
We give written cash offers in 24 hours.
Tell us the property address and what you know about the estate so far.