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Selling an inherited house in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania is one of the few states with an inheritance tax, so selling an inherited home here usually involves a tax filing as well as the estate itself. Here is what tends to matter most.
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Inherited house · Pennsylvania
How it works in Pennsylvania.
Inheriting a house in Pennsylvania often comes with two parallel tasks: settling the estate so someone has authority to sell, and handling Pennsylvania inheritance tax. If the home was in the deceased person's name alone, title usually passes through the estate, with a personal representative appointed by the county Register of Wills. If it was owned jointly with a right of survivorship, or held in a trust, the path can be quite different.
The inheritance tax depends on who receives the property, not just on its value. A surviving spouse is treated very differently from a child, a sibling or a friend. The return and payment go to the Register of Wills, and paying early can reduce the bill. Because the tax, the estate and the sale all connect, many families work with a Pennsylvania estate attorney or accountant before listing or selling.
Pennsylvania specifics
What to know in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania has an inheritance tax
Pennsylvania taxes property passing at death to most heirs other than a surviving spouse or a charity. The rate depends on the heir's relationship to the person who died: children and other lineal heirs pay a lower rate, siblings a higher one, and other heirs the highest. Current rates are published by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Some transfers are not taxed
Under current law, transfers to a surviving spouse are not taxed, and neither are transfers to a parent from a child aged 21 or younger. Property jointly owned by spouses is also exempt. Certain farmland and agricultural property passing to eligible family members can be exempt as well.
Deadlines and the early-payment discount
Pennsylvania inheritance tax currently becomes delinquent nine months after the date of death. If the tax is paid within three months of death, the Department of Revenue allows a discount. The return and payment are filed with the Register of Wills in the county that handled the estate.
Jointly owned homes can still be taxed
A home held jointly by spouses passes to the surviving spouse without inheritance tax. A home held jointly with someone other than a spouse is generally still subject to Pennsylvania inheritance tax, even though it may pass outside probate. A county Register of Wills or estate attorney can explain how this applies to your deed.
How title passes to heirs
Pennsylvania does not currently recognize transfer-on-death deeds for real estate. A home in the deceased person's name alone usually passes through the estate, with the personal representative holding authority under letters testamentary or letters of administration. Homes held with a right of survivorship or in a trust follow those arrangements instead.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules can change and every situation is different, so confirm the details for your case with a Pennsylvania attorney or the appropriate office.
Your options
There is more than one path.
Keep or rent the home
Keeping the house can preserve a family place or provide rental income. It also means ongoing costs, maintenance and, for a rental, the responsibilities of being a landlord. If siblings share ownership, one heir may be able to buy out the others.
List with a real estate agent
Listing on the open market reaches the widest pool of buyers and is often the clearest way to learn what the home is worth. It usually involves preparing the house, showings and agent commissions. It can take longer if the home needs work or is still full of belongings.
Explore offers from investors and professionals
Some heirs prefer a simpler path, especially when the home needs repairs or they live far away. Through a platform like Doorbloom, you can share details about the house and hear from independent investors and professionals who may buy it as-is. Offers may be lower than what a fully prepared listing could bring, so it is worth comparing.
How it works
Three clear steps.
- 1
Tell us about your home
Share the address, condition and your timeline. It takes about a minute, and we only ask what is needed for the next step.
- 2
Review who is interested
Real estate investors and professionals review your home. You see who they are before anyone gets your contact details.
- 3
Choose your next step
Talk to the people you want, compare your options, or decide not to sell. There is no pressure and no obligation.
Questions
Questions from Pennsylvania homeowners.
Do I have to pay inheritance tax on a house I inherited in Pennsylvania?
It depends on your relationship to the person who died. Surviving spouses pay no Pennsylvania inheritance tax, while children, siblings and other heirs pay different rates. The tax is generally handled through the estate, and an estate attorney or accountant can tell you what applies in your case.
When is Pennsylvania inheritance tax due on an inherited home?
Under current rules, the tax becomes delinquent nine months after the date of death. Paying within three months of death earns a discount. The return and payment go to the Register of Wills in the county that issued the estate's letters.
Can I sell an inherited house in Pennsylvania before the estate is settled?
Often yes, as long as the personal representative has letters from the Register of Wills and the authority to sell. Proceeds may need to stay in the estate until debts, taxes and distributions are handled. A probate attorney can explain the timing that fits your estate.
Does Pennsylvania have transfer-on-death deeds for houses?
Not currently. A bill to adopt transfer-on-death deeds was introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 2026, but it had not been enacted at last check. For now, a house in one person's name usually passes through probate, and even a future transfer-on-death deed would not remove Pennsylvania inheritance tax.
Is Doorbloom buying my house?
No. Doorbloom is a platform that connects Pennsylvania homeowners with real estate investors and professionals. Any offer comes from them, and nothing is binding until you sign a purchase agreement.
What does it cost?
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