Inheriting land can feel like a mixed blessing. On one hand, it’s a gift from a loved one. On the other, it’s often a distant parcel you’ve never visited, with property taxes you now have to pay and no real plan for what to do with it. If you’ve decided selling is the right move, here’s exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Confirm you legally own (or can sell) the land
Before anything else, you need clear title. How the land transferred to you matters:
- If it passed through a will or estate, it may need to go through probate before it can be sold. Probate is the court process that legally transfers a deceased person’s property to their heirs.
- If it was held in a living trust or transferred via a “transfer-on-death” deed, you may be able to sell without probate.
- If there are multiple heirs, all of them generally must agree to the sale and sign at closing.
A title company or estate attorney can quickly tell you which situation you’re in.
Step 2: Gather the property details
You’ll want the parcel number (APN), county, state, and acreage, plus a copy of the deed if you have it. You don’t need to visit the property or clean it up to sell it.
Step 3: Check for back taxes and liens
Inherited land often comes with unpaid property taxes that piled up before or during the transfer. Don’t panic — back taxes are normally paid out of the sale proceeds at closing, so you don’t need cash up front to clear them.
Step 4: Understand the tax advantage of inherited land
Here’s good news most heirs don’t know: inherited property usually gets a “stepped-up basis.” That means your cost basis is the land’s value on the date you inherited it — not what the original owner paid decades ago. If you sell soon after inheriting, your taxable gain is often small or zero. (Confirm specifics with a tax professional.)
Step 5: Decide how to sell
- List with an agent: possible, but land sits on the market for months and you’ll pay commission while continuing to cover taxes.
- Sell for cash to a land buyer: fastest route — no commission, no waiting, and the buyer handles paperwork and closing. Ideal for out-of-state heirs who can’t manage a local sale.
Step 6: Close and get paid
A title company verifies the chain of title, confirms all heirs have signed, settles any back taxes, and disburses your proceeds. A legitimate cash buyer covers closing costs.
Common pitfalls when selling inherited land
- Forgetting an heir. Every legal owner must sign. Missing one stalls the closing.
- Letting taxes pile up. The longer you hold, the more you pay for land you don’t use.
- Assuming you can’t sell during probate. In many cases you can list and even get under contract while probate finishes.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell inherited land that’s still in probate? Often yes — the sale can be set up to close once probate concludes. A title company will guide the timing.
Do all heirs have to agree to sell? Generally yes. All legal owners must consent and sign at closing.
Will I owe a lot in taxes? Thanks to the stepped-up basis, many heirs owe little or nothing if they sell soon after inheriting. Confirm with a tax professional.
Sell your inherited land the easy way
If you’ve inherited land in Texas, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, or Tennessee and you’re ready to move on, Bailey Buys will make you a fair, no-obligation offer and handle the title work — even if you’re out of state.
This article is general information, not tax or legal advice. Consult a professional about your situation.
