How to Sell an Inherited Home in St. Petersburg, Florida (Complete 2025 Guide)

Inheriting a home in St. Petersburg, Florida might sound like a windfall, but it often comes with its own set of challenges—especially if you’re not planning to keep the property. Between probate court, taxes, and property maintenance, many people feel overwhelmed and just want to sell the house quickly and move on.

So, how do you actually sell an inherited home in St. Pete? Whether it’s a bungalow in Old Northeast, a condo near the beach, or a fixer-upper inland, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything you need to know.

Why People Sell Inherited Homes in St. Pete

Let’s be honest—keeping an inherited property isn't always practical. Here are some common reasons why people decide to sell:

You already own a home and don’t need another.
You live out of state and can’t manage it.
The house needs costly repairs.
You want to split the value with other heirs.
You’d rather turn the asset into cash.

Whatever your reason, the process is doable—you just need to take it step by step.

Step 1: Establish Legal Ownership Through Probate

Before you can legally sell the home, you need to make sure you own it. Most inherited homes in Florida must go through probate.

What Is Probate?

Probate is a court process that proves the will (if there is one) is valid and officially transfers the home to the heirs.

⏱️ In Florida, probate can take 3 to 9 months or more, depending on complexity.

If the home was owned in a trust, or if a Lady Bird Deed or Transfer on Death (TOD) Deed was used, you might be able to avoid probate altogether.

Step 2: Get a Home Appraisal

It’s crucial to find out what the home was worth at the time of the owner’s death. This determines the step-up in basis, which is important for tax purposes.

???? A professional appraisal can help you set a fair asking price later—and protect you from unnecessary taxes.

Step 3: Determine the Best Way to Sell

You’ve got a few options depending on the condition of the home and how quickly you want to sell.

Option 1: Traditional Sale Through a Realtor

Ideal if the home is in decent condition
You’ll get full market value
Slower process (usually 30–60 days)

Option 2: Sell to a Cash Home Buyer

Great for homes that need repairs or if you want a fast, hassle-free sale
No agent fees, no staging, no open houses
Can close in 7–14 days

Option 3: Sell to a Family Member or Co-Heir

You’ll need a real estate attorney to draft the sale agreement
Make sure everyone agrees on the sale price and terms

Step 4: Clean Out the Property

This part can be emotional, especially if the home was a loved one’s long-time residence. Consider hiring an estate cleanout company if it feels overwhelming.

Also, look for:

Legal documents
Jewelry or valuables
Family heirlooms
Medications and financial records

Step 5: Make Repairs or Sell As-Is

If you want top dollar, you might consider fixing up the property. But if time or money is limited, you can sell as-is.

????️ Homes in neighborhoods like Historic Kenwood, Snell Isle, and Jungle Terrace often sell quickly—repairs or not.

Step 6: List and Market the Home

If you're working with a realtor, they’ll handle most of this:

Set a competitive price
Take professional photos
Create a listing on the MLS and Zillow
Host open houses and private showings

If you’re selling to a cash buyer, you can skip all of this and go straight to closing.

Step 7: Finalize Legal Paperwork

To legally sell the inherited property in St. Petersburg, you’ll need:

copyright
Will or trust documents
Probate court’s approval (if required)
Property deed
Any outstanding mortgage or lien info

???? A probate attorney or title company can help organize this process and make sure everything checks out.

Step 8: Close the Sale

Once you accept an offer, the final steps are pretty straightforward:

Title company performs a title search
Any liens or mortgages are paid from the sale
Remaining proceeds are split among heirs (if applicable)
You sign the closing documents, and the home officially transfers to the new owner

???? Congrats—you’ve sold your inherited home!

Tax Considerations in St. Petersburg

Florida has no inheritance tax ✅
You may owe capital gains tax if the property sells for more than its stepped-up basis.
Property taxes may change after the sale, especially if homestead exemptions no longer apply.

Always talk to a CPA to avoid surprises during tax season.

What If There Are Multiple Heirs?

If you share ownership with siblings or other family members, you’ll all need to agree on what to do.

Options Include:

Selling and splitting the proceeds
One heir buying out the others
Partition lawsuit (if there’s a disagreement)

????️ Communication and legal guidance can save you a lot of headaches here.

What If You Want a Fast Sale?

If you’re out of state, don’t want to deal with the property, or need to sell quickly, your best option is a cash home buyer in St. Pete.

They’ll usually:

Buy the property as-is
Cover closing costs
Close in as little as 7 days
Help with probate paperwork if needed

Conclusion

Selling an inherited home in St. Petersburg, Florida might feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be a nightmare. Whether you're working through probate or trying to offload a fixer-upper, understanding the steps and your options makes the process so much smoother. So if you want to Sell your House Fast at good prices, now is the time.

From probate to pricing, cleaning to closing, the key is to take it step-by-step—and don’t hesitate to bring in professionals to help. When done right, selling an inherited property can be a smart financial move and a way to find closure.

Blog