Inheriting a home adds emotional and practical stress—probate delays, insurance surprises, repairs, taxes. Many older Central Florida homes (nearly 50% over 30 years old) need updates for insurability or sale.
Average Prep Costs
For traditional sale (repairs, cleaning, staging, roof/code compliance)
Months with Probate
Plus ongoing holding costs (insurance, taxes, utilities)
Florida Homes Over 30 Years
Many need updates for insurability or sale
Understanding your options for transferring inherited property in Brevard, Volusia & Orange counties.
Direct transfer to beneficiaries with no probate required. If the deceased had a properly funded living trust, you can sell immediately. Timeline: Often 2-4 weeks.
Florida's powerful alternative to standard TOD deeds. The owner keeps full control—they can sell, mortgage, or revoke anytime. At death, property automatically transfers to beneficiaries, bypassing probate entirely while preserving homestead protections.
Process: Draft with legal description, beneficiaries, and reserved powers; sign before two witnesses + notary; record at county clerk (Brevard/Volusia/Orange). Typical cost: $500-$800. Timeline: Weeks after death.
For estates with non-exempt assets ≤ $75,000 (or if decedent died more than 2 years ago). Bills like SB 1500/HB 1337 propose raising this to $150,000 (potentially effective later in 2026), but $75,000 applies now. Timeline: Weeks to months if uncontested.
Required for larger estates without trust or deed alternatives. Involves court oversight, personal representative appointment, and creditor notice periods. We regularly work with executors during probate. Timeline: Average 6-12+ months.
If you inherited a Florida property but live elsewhere, you face unique challenges: traveling for showings, managing repairs from afar, navigating Florida-specific probate rules. We handle everything remotely. Timeline: 2-4 weeks from anywhere.
Understanding how Florida law affects inherited property and what tax benefits you may qualify for.
Florida's homestead protections shield primary residences from most creditors—inheritance rules often override wills:
No state inheritance or estate tax in Florida.
$15M individual / $30M couple exemption (permanent post-One Big Beautiful Bill Act)—most estates exempt.
Basis resets to date-of-death FMV—minimal gains if sold soon after inheritance.
Up to $250K single / $500K married if lived in property 2 of last 5 years.
Good news: Florida does not impose a state-level inheritance or estate tax. Unlike some states, your inheritance from a Florida estate won't be hit with additional state taxes.
If the total estate exceeds $13.61 million (2024), federal estate taxes may be due. Most inherited homes in Central Florida fall below this threshold, but it's worth verifying with an estate attorney.
Here's the key benefit: when you inherit property, the tax basis is "stepped up" to fair market value at the date of death. This means if you sell for $300,000 and the value was $300,000 at death, you owe $0 in capital gains tax.
If you lived in the inherited property as your primary residence for 2 of the last 5 years before sale, you can exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married) in gains. This can save you tens of thousands in taxes.
We buy inherited homes in any condition. No repairs needed, no showings to schedule, no waiting for traditional buyers. Get a fair cash offer in as little as 7 days.
Also see: Florida Home Insurance 2026 Update
Important Disclaimer: This is educational information only. We are not attorneys, tax advisors, or estate planners. Laws change; your case is unique. Consult a qualified Florida-licensed attorney, CPA, or estate professional to verify and apply to your situation.
Questions? Call or we're here to help Central Florida homeowners and heirs honestly. Always verify with professionals for your specific situation.