Selling an Inherited Property in Fort Myers

Inheriting a house can feel like winning and losing at the same time. You suddenly own real estate in Fort Myers, but you may also inherit repairs, taxes, and a probate maze that can drag on for months. In this guide we’ll walk you step‑by‑step through the legal, financial, and emotional decisions involved in selling inherited property in Fort Myers. You’ll learn:

• how Florida’s probate timeline really works
• the true market value of an inherited home today
• ways to avoid family feuds over the sale
• tax traps (and how to dodge them)
• why a fast cash offer from Core Real Estate Solutions can let you move on with zero stress

Whether you’re the sole heir or one of several, this article gives you the local facts and practical tips you won’t find in most generic blogs—so you can decide with confidence what to do next.

How To Sell An Inherited Property in Fort Myers

Selling inherited real estate follows the same broad steps everywhere—confirm legal authority, clear debts, prepare the house, and find a buyer—but Florida’s rules and Fort Myers’s market add their own twists.

 Confirm You Have the Legal Authority (a.k.a. “Determine the Executor”)

Under Florida law, any original will must be filed with the county clerk within 10 days of death. The probate judge then validates the will and empowers the named executor (“personal representative”) to act. If there is no will, the court appoints an administrator instead.oberdorferlaw.com

Florida probate timeline: most estates wrap up in 3 to 24 months, depending on complexity. Simple estates with no disputes can close in a few months; contested, high‑value estates can stretch past two years.Ramsey Solutions

Tip: While you wait for formal Letters of Administration, start gathering mortgage statements, tax bills, and insurance policies so you can move quickly once authority is granted.

2. Can You Sell During Probate in Florida?

Yes—Florida allows a probate sale as long as the court approves the contract terms. That makes a cash buyer like Core Real Estate Solutions attractive, because:

• no financing contingencies to worry about
• closing date is flexible (often 7–14 days after approval)
• sale price is easy for the judge to evaluate

A traditional listing can still work, but buyers using mortgages may give up when they learn they could wait months for court approval.

3. What Is Your Inherited House Worth in Fort Myers Today?

Local market data matters more than national headlines. As of March 2025:

• Median listing price: $375,000 in Fort Myers—down 8.4 percent year‑over‑year.Realtor
• Average time to pending: roughly 56 days.Zillow

Prices softened after Hurricane Ian: Lee County logged 22,000+ flood‑insurance claims and more than 6,100 buildings destroyed or majorly damaged.HomeHome Many heirs discovered costly repairs they couldn’t afford, which is why as‑is cash deals surged in 2023–24.

4. Resolve Any Debts Before You Celebrate

Florida probate requires settling the estate’s outstanding bills—mortgages, HOA fees, medical debts—before heirs divide proceeds. If the house is underwater or needs six‑figure repairs, your best move may be to accept a discounted cash offer that wipes out liens and closes the estate quickly.

5. Clean, Repair—or Sell As‑Is?

Inherited homes often sit vacant for years, collect code violations, or suffer hurricane damage and mold. Contractors in Fort Myers already charge 10‑15 percent more than the national average thanks to demand after Ian. When repairs exceed 10 percent of the home’s after‑repair value, many heirs choose an as‑is sale to Core Real Estate Solutions and let the buyer handle permitting, contractors, and insurance claims.

6. Do All Heirs Have to Agree to Sell?

If every heir holds a recorded ownership interest, unanimous consent is required to transfer title. When one sibling digs in their heels, the estate can file a partition action—a lawsuit asking the judge to order a sale and divide the cash. Mediation is cheaper and faster: a neutral third party helps the family hammer out a price or buy‑out so the sale can proceed without hard feelings.

Florida Specific Tax Considerations

Pro tip: Order a professional appraisal dated as close as possible to the owner’s death. That becomes your “stepped‑up basis,” minimizing capital‑gains tax when you sell.

8. Documents Checklist for Selling an Inherited House

1. Certified copy of the death certificate
2. Letters of Administration or court order confirming executor/administrator
3. Original signed deed (or probate deed if title is being conveyed)
4. Title insurance policy or title search
5. Mortgage payoff statement and HOA certificate, if applicable
6. Utility account numbers and current balances
7. Hazard or flood‑insurance declarations (important post‑Ian)
8. Pre‑listing appraisal (optional but useful for capital‑gains planning)

Core Real Estate Solutions’s closing team orders the title search, coordinates payoff statements, and prepares the probate deed for you—saving heirs hundreds in attorney and title fees.

9. Frequently Asked Questions About Probate Sales in Fort Myers

How long does probate take if there’s a will?

Simple estates with a valid will often close in six to nine months in Lee County; complex cases run longer.

What if the house has hurricane damage?

Cash buyers can still close; they factor repair costs into the offer and assume any open insurance claims.

Can I rent the house during probate?

Yes—with court approval—but rental income must be reported to the estate and may complicate homeowner‑insurance coverage.

How do I avoid capital‑gains tax altogether?

Occupy the home for two of the five years before selling to claim the $250k/$500k primary‑residence exemption, or use a 1031 exchange if you’re an investor. Talk to a CPA first.

Why Heirs Choose Core Real Estate Solutions Over a Traditional Listing

Unique Insight: Hidden Holding Costs Most Heirs Miss

Even a vacant house in Fort Myers can eat up $1,200–$1,800 per month once you add property tax accrual, vacancy insurance, lawn and pool service (mandated by many HOAs), and utilities to prevent mold. Multiply that by a 12‑month probate and you could spend $14k before the house ever hits the market. A fast cash exit often nets the same—or more—once you subtract those hidden costs.

Next Steps

Selling inherited property in Fort Myers doesn’t have to drain your wallet or your emotions.

1. Validate authority with the probate court quickly.
2. Understand the real numbers—local values, holding costs, and stepped‑up basis.
3. Communicate with co‑heirs early to prevent disputes.
4. Choose the right sale strategy: if the home is turnkey and the market is hot, a traditional listing might make sense. If the house needs work, the heirs are out of state, or you simply want closure fast, a cash sale is usually the wiser play.

Ready for a stress‑free solution? Core Real Estate Solutions has helped hundreds of families sell inherited houses in Fort Myers and across Florida—with no repairs, no commissions, and closing on your timeline. Click below or call us today for your no‑obligation cash offer and let our probate‑trained team handle the paperwork while you focus on what truly matters.