Inherited a House in Michigan? Your Options, Step by Step
By Jacob Tremblay, Probate-Focused Agent, Tremblay Real Estate Team | Real Broker LLC. Last reviewed: October 31, 2026.
General information only, not legal or tax advice. Talk with a Michigan attorney and a tax professional about your situation.
Inheriting a home often comes with grief, paperwork and decisions you didn't plan for. This page walks through the first steps and the main options, so you can have clearer conversations with your family, your attorney and us.
First steps after a loved one passes
- Secure the house: lock it, keep utilities and heat on, and check on it regularly.
- Call the homeowner's insurance company. Policies can change when a house is vacant; ask what coverage applies.
- Find the paperwork: deed, will or trust, mortgage statements, tax bills.
- Find out how the house will pass: through probate, a trust, joint ownership or a deed that transfers at death. A probate attorney can tell you.
- Keep paying what protects the property (insurance, taxes, mortgage where needed) and keep receipts.
Your three main options
Sell the house
Often the simplest choice when several heirs share it or no one plans to live there. If the house is in a probate estate, the personal representative handles the sale (see Selling a House During Probate).
Keep it and move in
Possible if the estate and other heirs agree and any mortgage can be handled. Ask your attorney and lender.
Keep it and rent it
Can make sense for some families, but brings landlord duties, repairs and local rental rules.
Option
What to think about
Who to ask
Sell
Condition, timing, sharing proceeds
Personal representative, agent, attorney
Keep and live there
Mortgage, buying out other heirs, taxes
Attorney, lender, tax professional
Keep and rent
Repairs, insurance, landlord rules
Insurance agent, tax professional
When siblings or several heirs share a house
Disagreements are common. Agreeing early on who makes decisions, how costs are shared, and how price will be set helps. In a probate estate, the personal representative has authority to sell unless the will or a court order limits it (MCL 700.3711). We can give every heir the same market information so decisions are based on the same facts.
Inherited a house but live out of state?
Many heirs don't live near the house. We can keep you updated by phone or email. Tell us what you need help with and we'll explain what we can do.
Mortgages, taxes and liens
- The mortgage doesn't disappear when the owner dies. Contact the servicer, and ask your attorney about your options.
- Property taxes and insurance still come due.
- Reverse mortgages have their own timelines after the borrower's death; contact the servicer quickly.
- Tax questions (basis, capital gains, property tax uncapping) belong with a tax professional. We do not give tax advice.
Selling an inherited house as-is
Many inherited homes need work. Selling as-is can save time and avoids paying for repairs up front; repairing first may bring a higher price. We'll show you both paths for your property. If the sale is by a nonoccupant fiduciary administering an estate, Michigan's seller disclosure form may not be required (MCL 565.953(d)); ask your attorney.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to sell an inherited house?
There's no single deadline. Carrying costs, the estate's timeline and the property's condition usually decide it.
Can I sell before probate is finished?
Often yes, once a personal representative is appointed and has authority. See Selling a House During Probate.
Do I need to clean out the house before listing?
Not always. Some buyers purchase with contents. We'll talk through what makes sense.
More guides
- Probate Real Estate in Michigan
- Selling a House During Probate
- Read client reviews
Talk through your options
MCL 700.3711; MCL 565.953 (legislature.mi.gov).