Selling an inherited house

What people actually face when selling a house they inherited: taxes, timing, siblings, bills, and clearing it out, and what they wish they'd known.

• Should we sell the house right away or hold onto it? Hold unless you need the cash now.
• How do siblings work out one of them buying out the others? Get an appraisal first, then agree on a discount.
• Who pays for upkeep and bills while the estate is being settled? The estate pays, from its own funds.
• Should we clean out and fix up the house before selling, or sell as-is? Fix up, but only the cheap stuff that sells.
• What do people wish they had done differently when settling a parent's house? Start before the emotions hit.
• How long does it take to sell an inherited house after someone dies? Usually 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer.

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