Who Are The Companies That Buy Houses In Norfolk VirginiaCan Inheriting a House in VA Go Wrong?

By

If you’ve suddenly inherited a house, you may not be prepared for the questions and issues that can arise. And if you make the wrong decisions, you will likely encounter financial, emotional, and family problems before long.

Forewarned is forearmed, they say, so here’s some of what can go wrong when you inherit a house in VA.

What Can Go Wrong When You Inherit a House in VA

You May Owe More Taxes than Anticipated

Most people don’t have to worry about estate tax because of the very high exemption (in the millions), and the estate tax was even temporarily suspended on 2010. But also mostly suspended in 2010 was the step-up provision. So in considering what can go wrong when you inherit a house in VA and when you intend to sell it, you need to consider the stepped-up capital gains situation.

The step-up provides that you pay capital gains taxes only on the gains above the fair market value at the date of the decedent’s death. It has nothing to with the price the decedent paid for the house – unless the step-up falls in one of the years when it was changed. In that case, you may owe a lot more in taxes than you bargained for.

 

The Mortgage May Be Bigger than You Thought

Generally in the past, when an elderly parent or relative passed, the mortgage on their house was paid off. These days, though, it’s common for elderly people to take out a reverse mortgage on their home to supplement insufficient retirement funds.

You need to be aware, then, that a reverse mortgage cannot be assumed by heirs. And in the case of a standard mortgage, you can assume the mortgage only if you live in the house yourself. So if you intend to rent the house, you may have to refinance it in your own name.

The House May Need Repairs and Upgrades

With respect to what can go wrong when you inherit a house in VA, this one may be the most costly. Most of the time, people inherit a house from a deceased elderly parent or very close relative. Besides not having the physical ability to perform maintenance and upgrades, many elderly people don’t have the money for it either. And if they do, they may simply choose not to because they know they won’t be living in the house very many more years.

If you plan to live in the inherited house, this may not be a huge concern. But if you intend to rent it or sell it, you’ll have to make repairs to make it presentable and upgrades to bring it up to code and meet other legal and insurance requirements. Installing a new HVAC system or re-wiring the house will involve a big chunk of money.

You May Have Problems with Relatives and Joint Heirs

If you want to know where to find the best Norfolk home buyer, look no further than Avante Home Buyers. We make the process of buying your house for cash simple, easy, and as stressless as possible. We work with homeowners just like you all across Virginia, from Norfolk to Virginia Beach and in-between. We buy houses fast and we buy them in as-is condition, so

But what if you’re not the only heir? That can be a problem. Suppose you and your siblings inherited the house jointly. If you want to sell it, your brother may want to rent it, and your other brother, to live in it himself. You can see what a powder keg waiting for a spark this is.

In most states, joint heirs of a home are considered tenants in common, and one heir can force a sale if it comes to that. The process, however, is expensive, and the emotional and familial consequences are likely to be highly unpleasant.

So what can go wrong when you inherit a house in VA? Quite a lot, actually, if you’re not up to speed on tax laws, mortgages, and upgrade issues.  It is best to contact a qualified professional to help head off these issue quickly.

there’s never any need to make repairs or pay for expensive cleaning. Plus, we don’t work with real estate agents or lenders, so there are no commissions and no fees in the transaction. We don’t list your house, we buy it for cash directly. 

Plus, if you can think of a reason to need to sell your house, we’ve paid cash for it. That includes foreclosure, bankruptcy, divorce, unruly tenants, termites, flooding, foundation problems, fire, hoarders, and so many more. 

If you’re in Norfolk and you’re searching “companies that buy houses near me,” you’ll want to reach out to Avante Home Buyers to get the best experience possible. The process is so simple. You contact us or request an offer through our website. We’ll touch base ASAP and get as much information as we need to make you a fair offer. Then we’ll make that offer, often as quickly as within 24 hours. If you decide to accept, you let us know how fast or slow you want to move. And then we’ll close the sale on your terms and pay you cash for your house as it currently stands. You get to walk away with cash in your pocket and we’ll take it from here!

Whether you decide to sell your house on the open market to sell a Norfolk company that buys houses, that’s a decision you’ll have to make for yourself. But whatever you do, make sure you find a company that understands your needs, appreciates your financial situation, makes you feel comfortable, and treats you with respect. Avante Home Buyers would love to be that company so consider reaching out to us today for a no-obligation cash offer from a credible and honest home buyer. 

Do you want to learn more about how to find buyers for your house in Norfolk? We can help! Give us a call or send us a message today! 866-833-5262