Selling a House in Any Situation
Most houses do not sell in perfect conditions. These guides explain what really happens when you sell a house that was inherited, is behind on payments, has tenants, needs major work or comes with legal and tax complications. Each one covers your options, not just ours, so you can decide what fits.
Situation guides
Code violations
Open violations, fines that turn into liens, unpermitted work, point-of-sale inspections and selling anyway.
Read the guideDivorce
Who has to sign, court orders during a divorce, buyout versus sale, and the home-sale tax exclusion.
Read the guideFire damage
What to do after a fire, how insurance and the mortgage interact, and selling a fire-damaged house as-is.
Read the guideForeclosure
The 120-day federal rule, your options before a sale date, selling to protect equity and how to spot rescue scams.
Read the guideFoundation problems
Warning signs, engineer reports versus contractor bids, why financed buyers walk away, and disclosure.
Read the guideHoarder house
Safety first, finding what matters, cleanout options, and selling a hoarder house without clearing it.
Read the guideInherited house
Who has authority to sell, probate basics, multiple heirs, the mortgage that remains and inherited basis for taxes.
Read the guideMajor repairs
Fix, list as-is, or sell for cash: the repair math, lender appraisal hurdles, permits and stalled projects.
Read the guideSell as-is
What selling as-is really means, what you still have to disclose, and how to compare an as-is offer.
Read the guideTax liens and back taxes
Back property taxes, tax sales, IRS liens and certificates of discharge, and how liens are paid at closing.
Read the guideTenants or rental property
Selling a rental with tenants in place: leases, deposits, showings, estoppel letters and non-paying tenants.
Read the guideVacant house
The real carrying costs of an empty house, insurance gaps, break-in and freeze risk, and selling from out of town.
Read the guide