What Happens When You Inherit a House with a Sibling?

Inheriting a House with Siblings: Navigating Estate and Trust Loans

The passing of a loved one is a challenging time, made even more difficult when it involves inheriting property with siblings. Whether it’s a family home, a vacation property, or a commercial real estate investment, inheriting a house with siblings can present unique challenges. In these inheritance situations, estate and trust loans can provide valuable solutions for siblings navigating the challenges of inherited property.

When siblings inherit a house together it can present several potential challenges and considerations:

1. Decision making – Siblings must agree on important decisions regarding the property, such as whether to sell, rent, or occupy it themselves. Disagreements can lead to legal disputes and strained relationships.
2. Financial responsibilities – Siblings are responsible for paying expenses related to the property, including mortgages, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs. If one sibling fails to contribute their share, the others may be obligated to cover the shortfall.
3. Use and occupancy – If one sibling wishes to live in the inherited house, agreements must be made regarding rent, utilities, and other costs associated with occupancy.
4. Selling the property – If the siblings decide to sell the inherited house, they must agree on the listing price, marketing strategy, and the division of proceeds from the sale.

Estate and trust loans can provide solutions to many of these challenges by allowing one sibling to buy out the other’s share and assume ownership and responsibility of the entire property.

Selling Inherited Property to a Sibling

It is common for one sibling to buy out the other sibling’s share in the property. This can happen for various reasons, such as one sibling wanting to keep the property for sentimental reasons, wanting to make the property their primary residence or another sibling just wants cash to sell their interest in the property. Estate and trust loans can facilitate this process by providing the necessary funds for one sibling to purchase the other’s interest in the property.

These specialized loans are designed specifically for individuals inheriting property and are often more flexible than traditional mortgages. Lenders offering estate and trust loans understand the unique circumstances surrounding inherited property and may be more lenient with credit requirements, income and other qualifying factors.

They are only short-term loans are typically must be refinanced or paid off within 12 months. Once the title of the property is transferred into the individual’s name as opposed to the trust or the estate, the property can be refinanced with a traditional loan.

The process typically involves first deciding on a value for the property or obtaining an appraisal to determine the fair market value of the property. The sibling wishing to purchase the property can then use an estate and trust loan to buy out the other sibling’s share at the appraised or agreed upon value. This arrangement allows for a clean transfer of ownership while providing the selling sibling with their rightful inheritance in cash.

Refinancing Options for Inherited Property

In cases where siblings wish to retain joint ownership of an inherited property, estate and trust loans can also be used to refinance any existing mortgages or debts associated with the property. This can be particularly beneficial if the property has significant equity. The siblings can access the equity to make making improvements or repairs to the property or for paying off existing debts of the estate.

If the inherited property has a reverse mortgage from the previous owner it will need to refinanced relatively quickly. Reverse mortgage lenders will start moving towards foreclosure once they discover the original borrower has passed or has moved out of the residence.

By refinancing through an estate or trust loan, the siblings can quickly access equity in the inherited property to take care of a wide variety of estate-related issues. Traditional lenders are not able to lend to estates or irrevocable trusts. Traditional lenders would first need the real estate to transfer out the estate and into an individual’s name.

The Sibling Buyout: Utilizing Estate and Trust Loans

When siblings inherit property it’s common for one sibling to want to retain sole ownership while the other(s) prefer to liquidate their share. Estate and trust loans offer a practical solution for facilitating a sibling buyout in these situations. By providing specialized financing tailored to inherited property, these loans can streamline the process and help equalize the distribution of the inherited assets.

Advantages of Estate and Trust Loans for Sibling Buyouts:

1. Streamlined process – Estate and trust lenders understand the complexities of inherited property and can expedite the buyout process. Loans can be approved and funded within 7 days.
2. Flexible qualifying criteria – Estate and trust loans often have more lenient credit score and income requirements. This makes it easier for the buying sibling to qualify but the sibling will need to provide a reasonable exit strategy for the short-term estate or trust loan.
3. Access to equity – These loans allow the buying sibling to tap into the inherited property’s existing equity, preventing the buying sibling from having to come up with personal cash to buy out the others.

The Sibling Buyout Process

A sibling buyout using an estate and trust loan typically involves the following steps:

1. Property appraisal – An independent appraisal is conducted to determine the fair market value of the inherited property to help the siblings agree on a price.
2. Buyout agreement – The siblings come to an agreement on who will receive which assets of the estate or trust. Once this is decided, the needed loan amount can be determined.
3. Loan application – The estate or trust submits a loan application to the lender. Other necessary documentation such as trusts or probate documents are also submitted.
4. Underwriting and approval – The lender evaluates the application, property, and the borrower’s financial strength prior to providing loan approval and loan terms.
5. Loan closing and funding – Once the loan is closed, the estate or trust receives the loan proceeds that can then be transferred to the siblings being bought out.
6. Title transfer – The property title is transferred out of the estate or trust and into the individual who will own the property going forward. updated to reflect the sole ownership of the buying sibling, effectively terminating the co-ownership arrangement.

Considerations for Sibling Buyouts

There are several important considerations to keep in mind for a sibling buyout:

1. Affordability – The buying sibling must ensure they can comfortably afford the monthly loan payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs associated with property
2. Tax implications – The sale/transfer of an inherited property can have property tax consequences. Consult a tax professional to understand the potential implications when considering the future affordability of the property.
3. Family relationships – Inheritance situations can create tension between family members. Open communication and a willingness to compromise are essential to maintain healthy family relationships.
4. Legal guidance – Consulting an experienced estate or trust attorney can help ensure the buyout agreement and distribution of assets is handled properly.
5. Long-term planning – The buying sibling should consider their long-term plans for the property, such as whether they will live in it, rent it out or eventually sell it.

By leveraging estate and trust loans for sibling buyouts, families can navigate the complexities of inheriting a house with siblings while respecting each party’s individual goals and preferences. With careful planning, open communication, and the guidance of qualified professionals, siblings can use these specialized loans to facilitate a smooth transition and preserve family harmony.

The information provided herein is for educational purposes only. North Coast Financial is not providing any legal, tax or financial advice.