If you just inherited a house in Augusta, you have four real options: move in, rent it out, list it with an agent, or sell it as-is for cash. The right one depends on three things: whether the estate has to go through probate, whether there’s a mortgage, and whether everyone who inherited agrees on what to do.
Most people reach this point while still grieving, with a house full of a parent’s things and a pile of mail. You don’t have to decide everything this week, but a few early steps protect your options.
I’m Chris Krausnick, owner of Prime Cash Home Buyers here in Augusta. I’m a real estate investor, not a licensed real estate agent, and many houses I’ve bought came from families settling an estate. This is the decision map I wish more heirs had.
The short answer: your four options for an inherited Augusta house
You can keep it, rent it, list it, or sell it as-is. Each fits a different situation.
Keep it. Best when the house is paid off or affordable, in decent shape, and someone actually wants to live there.
Rent it. Works if the house needs little work and you’re willing to handle tenants and repairs, or pay a property manager.
List it. If you have time and money for repairs, listing usually brings the highest price. That’s an honest trade-off.
Sell it as-is for cash. Fits when the house needs major work, heirs live out of state, or nobody wants to clear out decades of belongings. A cash offer is usually lower than a retail sale, but you skip repairs, cleaning and commissions. Managing it from afar? Read our guide to selling an inherited Augusta house when you live out of state.
First 30 days: securing the house, insurance and Augusta Utilities
Your first job is to protect the house, not sell it. Empty houses lose value fast to leaks, break-ins and neglect.
- Rekey the locks and collect the spare keys.
- Tell the insurance company the owner has passed, and ask whether coverage changes if the house sits empty.
- Keep any mortgage current and notify the servicer of the death.
- Forward the mail so tax notices don’t get missed.
For water, Augusta Utilities requires a new account application with picture ID and a copy of the title or lease, or a notarized letter from the property owner. Before probate, that can take sorting out, so call Customer Service early. Keeping utilities on protects the pipes and lets buyers walk through later.
If the house will sit a while, understand what it costs to leave an Augusta house vacant.
Do you need probate? Will, no will, and Richmond County Probate Court
Usually, yes. Someone needs legal authority from the probate court before the house can be sold, will or no will.
With a will, the named executor files it in the county where the person lived. Without one, the court appoints an administrator and Georgia law decides who inherits. The Richmond County Probate Court handles will probate, administrations, “no administration necessary” petitions and year’s support. It’s at 735 James Brown Blvd., Suite 1000, open weekdays 8:30 to 5:00, (706) 821-2434.
Court staff can explain procedures, but state law bars them from giving legal advice, so hire a Georgia probate attorney. For the process, see how to sell a house in probate in Georgia. If the person lived in Evans, Martinez or Grovetown, the estate likely goes through Columbia County; we compare them in Richmond County vs. Columbia County probate.
Thinking of deeding the house among family first? Ask your attorney, and read about quitclaim deeds in Augusta. A reverse mortgage changes the timeline; see selling a home with a reverse mortgage in Augusta.
Keep, rent or sell: the real math on an Augusta inherited home
Put your own numbers side by side. Here’s a hypothetical example, not company data.
Say the house would be worth $180,000 updated, but needs a roof, HVAC and kitchen that a contractor quotes at $40,000.
Scenario A: fix and list. You spend $40,000, carry the house about six months (say $6,000 in taxes, insurance and utilities), then pay commissions and closing costs (say $13,000). At $180,000, you net roughly $121,000, after fronting $46,000 and waiting half a year.
Scenario B: sell as-is for cash. Say a buyer offers $115,000 and covers closing costs. You net $115,000 on your chosen date.
Here listing nets about $6,000 more, but costs six months, $46,000 up front, and the risk of overruns. Some families take that deal; siblings splitting proceeds across states often don’t.
Keeping or renting means weighing payments, taxes, insurance and repairs. On any sale, the IRS says the basis of inherited property is generally its fair market value on the date of death, which often lowers the taxable gain. Talk to a CPA, and read our post on capital gains tax after selling a home in Augusta.
When family can’t agree
When heirs disagree, the house sits and the costs keep coming. One sibling wants to keep it, another needs money, a third lives in it.
Get the facts in front of everyone: as-is value, repair costs, and what each option nets. Neutral numbers calm arguments. If the house passed down for generations without probate, title may be split among many relatives. That’s heirs property, covered in selling heirs property in Augusta without clear title. If the sale is meant to fund a parent’s care, see selling a parent’s Augusta home to pay for assisted living.
If you still can’t agree, a probate or real estate attorney can explain the legal options. The Richmond County Probate Court’s site also lists an Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, which is worth asking your attorney about.
How we buy inherited houses in Augusta
If you want to sell an inherited house in Augusta, GA, we buy as-is once the executor or administrator can sell, and you pick the closing date. No cleanout, repairs or commissions. We handle the details.
Early one year I met the owner of an old Victorian, but it had to go through probate first. When probate finished, the seller called me back and sold it as-is. It was in demo-level condition, and the buyer is replacing it with new construction.
Another owner inherited a downtown condo near the Riverwalk that sat four months with two agents without selling. It closed for cash with us in 21 days.
Learn more about our company. We buy throughout Augusta, Evans, Martinez, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Thomson, North Augusta and Aiken. You’re a neighbor, not a transaction. For a free, no-obligation number to compare, visit our Augusta home page or call (706) 670-6543.
FAQ
Can I sell before probate closes? Often, once the court gives the executor or administrator authority to act. It depends on the will and the court’s order, so confirm with your attorney.
Who pays the mortgage on an inherited house? The loan doesn’t vanish at death. The estate or heirs generally keep payments current to avoid foreclosure, and a sale pays it off at closing.
Do I owe tax when I sell an inherited home? Possibly. The IRS generally sets basis at fair market value on the date of death, which often keeps the gain small. Ask a CPA.
What if a sibling lives in the house? Discuss a buyout, rent, or a move-out date. If you can’t agree, an attorney can explain your options.
Can I sell with the furniture still inside? Yes. When we buy as-is, take what you want and leave the rest.
How long does an Augusta estate take? It depends on the will, whether heirs agree, and the court’s schedule. A probate attorney can give a realistic timeline.
Your next step
Secure the house, call a probate attorney, and get real numbers on each option so your family decides with facts, not guesses.
If you’ve inherited an Augusta house and want a fair as-is cash offer to compare against listing, contact us or call (706) 670-6543. There’s no obligation, and you pick the closing date.
About the author: Chris Krausnick owns Prime Cash Home Buyers, a locally owned cash home buyer in Augusta, GA that has been buying houses since 2016. He’s a real estate investor, not a licensed agent, with 40+ deals in the last four years, many of them inherited and probate properties.