If you’ve inherited a property and you’re planning to sell it, this blog post will guide you through how to price your inherited home in Massachusetts—without the stress and without the guesswork.
An inherited property can be a generous gift, but for many heirs, it becomes a financial or emotional burden. Whether you’re out of state, dealing with probate, or simply unfamiliar with how to sell real estate, pricing your inherited house correctly is the key to unlocking its true value.
Here are our top strategies from Pegasus Home Buyers to help you navigate the process.
Tip #1: Price to Sell Quickly
Many sellers try to price their inherited home based on what they believe it’s worth or what nearby homes are selling for. But what they often overlook is how fast they want or need to sell.
If you go the traditional route and list the property with a real estate agent, it could sit on the market for 3 to 6 months—or longer—during which time you’ll be responsible for:
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Mortgage payments (if any)
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Property taxes
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Utility bills
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Maintenance and security
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Potential insurance or legal issues
Pricing slightly below “market value” can actually save you thousands in carrying costs and upkeep—not to mention stress. A faster sale, even at a slightly reduced price, often ends up being a smarter financial move.
Tip #2: Don’t Let Emotion Affect Your Pricing
It’s natural to feel emotionally attached to a house that belonged to a loved one. You may remember holidays, family dinners, or childhood memories—all of which add sentimental value.
But buyers don’t pay for memories—they pay for square footage, location, and condition.
Overpricing an inherited home based on nostalgia is one of the biggest mistakes we see. This can lead to extended days on market, low-ball offers, or price reductions down the road.
At Pegasus Home Buyers, we recommend getting a no-obligation property evaluation from an investor or real estate professional who specializes in probate and inherited properties. This allows you to see what your home would command in its current condition—without the emotional markup.
Tip #3: Account for Needed Repairs in the Asking Price
Many inherited homes haven’t been updated in years, especially if the previous owner lived there for decades. Common issues include:
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Dated kitchens and bathrooms
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Deferred maintenance
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Old roofing, windows, or HVAC systems
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Cosmetic wear and tear
Rather than investing time and money in major renovations, consider offering the home “as-is” with a built-in repair discount. Not only will this attract cash buyers or investors, but it also eliminates the hassle of finding contractors, getting permits, and living through messy upgrades—especially if you live out of state.
Buyers like Pegasus Home Buyers will purchase homes as-is, saving you the effort and still giving you a fair cash offer that reflects current market conditions.
🆕 Section 1: Understand How Probate Can Impact Pricing and Timing
If the inherited home is still in probate, this legal process can significantly impact both your pricing strategy and how quickly you can sell.
Probate is the court-supervised process of validating a will and transferring ownership of property. In Massachusetts, this can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on the complexity of the estate and whether any disputes arise.
Here’s how probate affects pricing:
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Limited buyer pool: Many retail buyers won’t wait for probate to clear, especially if the timeline is unclear.
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Title complications: Until the title is officially transferred, you cannot complete a legal sale.
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Property maintenance costs: The longer probate takes, the more money you’ll spend holding the property.
Pegasus Home Buyers works closely with attorneys, estate executors, and heirs to buy probate properties quickly and cleanly. Even if the probate process isn’t complete yet, we can provide a written offer, coordinate with your legal team, and schedule a closing the moment the court approves the sale.
Pricing a home stuck in probate too high will scare off cash buyers, who are often the only type of buyer able to wait out the process. Instead, price strategically for the legal context, not just the condition or neighborhood.
🆕 Section 2: Consider the Tax Implications of Selling an Inherited Property
Another important factor in pricing an inherited property is understanding the tax consequences—especially capital gains tax.
Here’s how it works in Massachusetts:
When you inherit a home, the IRS applies a “step-up” in basis. That means instead of using the original purchase price as the basis for capital gains tax, the home’s fair market value at the time of the previous owner’s death becomes the basis.
For example:
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Original purchase price: $100,000
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Market value at time of inheritance: $350,000
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Sale price six months later: $360,000
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Capital gain = $10,000, not $260,000
This is good news—it minimizes your tax burden. But here’s the catch: if you wait too long to sell and the property appreciates, your gains will increase.
Pricing and selling your inherited home sooner rather than later can help you:
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Avoid higher capital gains
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Reduce your tax exposure
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Simplify your estate’s financial documentation
A company like Pegasus Home Buyers can help you evaluate your options, refer you to local tax professionals, and structure the sale for maximum tax efficiency—especially if multiple heirs are involved.
🆕 Section 3: The Benefits of Selling Directly to a Cash Buyer Like Pegasus Home Buyers
If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of listing, showing, negotiating, and repairing the home—don’t worry. There’s a better way.
Selling your inherited house directly to Pegasus Home Buyers can help you:
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Avoid agent commissions (saving you up to 6%)
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Skip costly repairs or cleaning
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Sell quickly for cash, even if probate is ongoing
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Avoid disputes between heirs by making a fast, neutral decision
Unlike traditional buyers, we specialize in inherited and probate properties in Massachusetts. We’ve worked with dozens of families in similar situations and understand the unique emotional and logistical challenges that come with selling a loved one’s home.
We’ll handle the paperwork, coordinate with your attorney, and give you a fair, no-obligation offer—even if the property needs major work or has multiple stakeholders involved.
Final Thoughts: Selling an Inherited Home Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Selling an inherited home in Massachusetts is a big decision—but it doesn’t have to be a burden. Whether you’re in the early stages of probate, dealing with multiple heirs, or just ready to move on, Pegasus Home Buyers is here to help you price and sell your property quickly, fairly, and respectfully.
👉 Click here to get a free cash offer today
Let’s help you move forward with less stress and more confidence.