Losing a parent or relative is hard enough. Then you learn the house is now your responsibility as executor. This guide walks through selling an inherited home in British Columbia: what probate involves here, what it costs, and the cleanest ways to sell when you’d rather not manage repairs from afar.
This is general information, not legal advice. An estate lawyer or notary should guide your situation.
First, probate in BC
If the home was owned solely by the person who died, you’ll usually need a Grant of Probate from the Supreme Court of British Columbia before you can sell or transfer it. Probate confirms the will and your authority as executor. Jointly owned homes often pass directly to the surviving owner and may skip probate. Probate takes time, often a couple of months or more, but you can prepare the home and line up a buyer while you wait.
What BC probate fees cost
British Columbia charges probate fees on the gross value of the estate, set out in the Probate Fee Act. Roughly:
| Estate value | Probate fee |
|---|---|
| First $25,000 | No fee |
| $25,000 – $50,000 | 0.6% |
| Over $50,000 | 1.4% |
There’s also a $200 court application fee for estates over $25,000. On a $700,000 home, probate fees alone run roughly $9,000, paid from the estate.
Your options for an inherited BC home
Once you have authority to sell, you have three realistic paths. Renovate then list for full retail; list as-is with an agent; or sell as-is directly to a cash buyer. The last is the one most executors don’t realize they have: no repairs, no cleanout, no showings. You take the keepsakes that matter and leave the rest, and close on a date that suits the estate, often in one to two weeks. That’s a relief when heirs live out of town or in another province.
The estate cleanout nobody warns you about
Emptying the home is often harder than selling it. A lifetime of belongings has to go somewhere. A direct as-is sale removes that weight entirely, because the buyer takes the home as it stands, full or empty.
The bottom line
Selling an inherited BC home starts with probate through the Supreme Court, and the fees come out of the estate. From there, if the home is dated or the family is spread out, selling as-is to a local buyer removes the repairs, the cleanout, and the waiting.
To see what the home is worth as-is, you can request a no-obligation cash offer and compare it against listing. No cost, no pressure.
Ready to sell? Get your free cash offer
No fees, no commissions, no repairs, and no obligation. Tell us about your home and get a fair cash offer, then close on the date that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need probate to sell an inherited house in BC?
Usually yes, if the home was owned solely by the person who died. You’ll need a Grant of Probate from the Supreme Court of BC before selling or transferring. Jointly owned homes often skip probate.
How much are probate fees in BC?
There’s no fee on the first $25,000, 0.6% between $25,000 and $50,000, and 1.4% on the value over $50,000, plus a $200 application fee for estates over $25,000. The fees are paid from the estate.
Can I sell the house before probate is finished?
You can prepare the home and accept an offer while probate is underway, but the transfer usually can’t close until the Grant of Probate is issued. A cash buyer can hold a closing date that lines up with your timeline.
Do I have to clean out or repair the house?
Not if you sell as-is to a direct buyer. You take what you want and leave the rest, with no repairs and no cleaning.
How is a cash offer on an estate home calculated?
A buyer looks at the home’s condition, the repairs it needs, and comparable updated homes nearby, then offers below full retail because they take on the work and risk, while you avoid commissions and carrying costs.
What if several heirs inherited the house together?
All beneficiaries generally need to agree to the sale, and the executor signs on behalf of the estate. A clean cash sale can reduce friction with one clear number.