8 Steps for Selling a House in an Irrevocable Trust After Death

✏️ Editor’s Note: Realtor Associations, agents, and MLS’ have started implementing changes related to the NAR’s $418 million settlement. While home-sellers will likely save thousands in commission, compliance and litigation risks have significantly increased for sellers throughout the nation. Learn how NAR’s settlement affects home sellers.

If you want to sell a trust home after the grantor dies, you have to follow the trust deal. The trustee manages the property and ensures the sale proceeds are distributed according to the trust deal.

A trustee handling the sale is a relief for grieving families.

While selling a house in an irrevocable trust after death can be complex, listing your house is not. You can list your home on the MLS with Houzeo for a flat fee. You can also save 3% on listing agent commission, while you get professional support for home inspection, valuation, surveyor, etc.

What’s an Irrevocable Trust?

Once an irrevocable trust is set up, you can change or end it with the green light from grantors. If the grantor dies, the beneficiary or a court order can allow it to be changed. Irrevocable trusts allow grantor to cut down on their taxes, get government benefits, and protect assets.

The grantor sets up a trust deal which spells out how the house sale and profits distribution go down. The business assets like a property, financial assets, or a life insurance policy shift from the grantor to the trustee and beneficiaries.

» Compare to a Revocable Trust

How to Sell a House in a Trust After Death

Here’s a step-by-step guide, if you’re selling a house in a trust after death:

1. Review the Trust With an Attorney: The powers and duties of the trustee and the authority to sell the property should be examined. Begin with an attorney well-versed in real estate and trust law and ensure approval from beneficiaries.
2. Determine House Value: You can use a home worth estimator, or comparative market analysis (CMA) report to know the fair market value of the house. This will help you set an asking price.
3. Maintain the Documents: Collect essential documents like a death certificate, property-related bills like mortgage, home equity loan, HELOC, property tax, and the sale agreement. This helps keep beneficiaries informed and protects the trustee legally.
4. Clarify the Title: Complete a title search to clear debts, liens, or judgments against it.
5. Fix the Home: Follow a checklist to make a well-presented home. Decide on home fixes, deep clean the home, and enhance its curb appeal.
6. Lock Down the Buyer: Negotiate and finalize terms, including buyer’s requests for inspections, repairs, allowances, or a price adjustment.
7. Close the Sale: As a trustee, ensure that the trust’s bank account receives the sale proceeds. Furthermore, you have to distribute the profits among trust beneficiaries.
8. File Taxes: File Form 1041 which is the income tax return for estates and trusts. Present all details of sales, gains, and associated costs.

What Happens When Selling a House in an Irrevocable Trust After Death?

When selling a home in a trust after the grantor’s death, executors or trustees aim to get the best value for the beneficiaries. If the beneficiaries and trustee don’t wish to sell the property, ownership can be transferred directly to the beneficiaries. Trust’s rules also ensure that ownership changes smoothly during the sale.

If you’re a trustee, it’s important to follow the fiduciary duties mentioned in the trust, update the beneficiaries about all transactions, and get the approval of beneficiaries to sell the property.

Also, you have to think about taxes on capital gains and inheritance. Once the sale’s done, divvy up the money among the beneficiaries.

Can You Sell a House in an Irrevocable Trust?

Yes, you can! To make it happen, check when the trust was set up and who’s got the say in decisions. The trust agreement is your go-to guide for how things roll. Also, consider the after-effects of selling a house in an irrevocable trust after death:

1. The sale money can go for a new investment or to beneficiaries.
2. If you distribute the profits, beneficiaries have to bear the capital gains.
3. If profits are not paid out, the trust pays the capital gains tax.
4. Take care of the fact that the house sale doesn’t go against what the trust grantor initially wanted.

Can You Sell a House With a Deed of Trust?

Yes, you can. A trust deed does not stall the process when you sell a trust property. You just have to give careful attention to legal procedures, and ensure all conditions in the trust are met.

Bottom Line

You, as a trustee, legally own trust properties and can sell them after the person who set up the trust passes away. You must act in the trust’s best interest, aiming for profit and avoiding unnecessary costs. Your decisions about the home sale and upgrades must always prioritize the trust’s well-being.

If you want to save money and sell a home under irrevocable trust, you can list it on the MLS. Houzeo, for a flat fee, lists your house on an online database of homes for sale. This helps you save 2.5% to 3% on the usual listing agent commission.

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