Scroll to the bottom for the current list of homes for sale in the Triangle that are estate sales. For some great tips on purchasing estate sales in North Carolina read on!
When you hear the term “estate sale,” do you think heirlooms, yard tools, and old china? You’re not alone if that’s your first thought but if you’re in the real estate market, the term also means that a house is for sale - and it may be a smart choice for you! A home that is being sold as an ‘estate sale’ is a home that is part of an estate; it may have debts against it that can only be satisfied through the sale of the house.
Usually, it is being sold either by an executor of the estate (if the homeowner had a will) or a local probate court (if there was no will). There are rules and regulations on who can sell - and when - that make this sort of real estate transaction outside the normal process of buying a house. [Note: For estate planning purposes, you want to make sure that you leave very specific instructions in your will about the disposition of a home.]
There are pros and cons to this type of sale and understanding those is the best bet for savvy home buyers. Here are some factors to consider.
The process varies and can be anywhere between one and twelve months to assume ownership with these homes. You will either be dealing with the executor of an estate (if a will was left) or someone appointed by a probate court to oversee the process.
An executor may also be an heir and if so, they may be grieving through the process and not able to make quick decisions. If there are multiple executors/heirs, they may not all be on the same page in terms of the disposition of the property or the price. They may not all be easily reachable either; in some cases, the court will appoint someone to serve the interests of heirs that are not able to be contacted.
Depending on how much is owed to creditors and who those creditors are (IRS, for example) can also lengthen the time for the house to be available to buy.
If there is no will, and a court becomes the decision-maker, there will be a process in place that includes how the court will accept bids, counter-bids, and closing times. All these steps can cause additional time to finalize a sale. It might be necessary to hire a real estate attorney to walk you through potential complications in these sales.
These properties are usually sold “as-is.” That doesn’t mean that the executor or court can keep anything “bad” from you that they discover or know about, but it does mean that there could very well be issues that are not readily apparent. If the previous owner is deceased and the heirs have no first-hand knowledge of the property, there may be deferred maintenance issues that are not easily seen.
So, although in most real estate transactions, serious home inspection issues are reason enough for a buyer to pull out of a sale, that’s often not the case here. You will be expected to take the house no matter what.
What makes these houses most attractive is that they are often listed at a low price, sometimes considerably lower than market value. The executor of an estate is often motivated to sell the property and be done. There is also less competition for these houses as unlike short sales and foreclosures, many home buyers aren’t even aware of these types of sales.
For property going through probate court, you will be expected to put down 10% with your bid. This deposit is most likely not refundable unless 1) you are outbid on the property, or 2) the probate court rejects your offer for another reason. Also, your closing may be delayed by a few days at the last minute as you wait for court approval.
Here are some pluses to the estate sale path.
They can be great purchases for a home buyer to renovate and have some built-in equity. Many estate sales won't go quite as crazy in bidding wars, so you can also get them for a more reasonable price - sometimes significantly so - than a home that has already been fixed up.
Now, it’s true that you may have to live through a renovation. Fortunately, working with a local realtor (such as me!) means you have someone to provide contractor recommendations to make that process a little easier.
And if you’re interested in flipping a house, you’re already expecting to have to go in and renovate, so these types of homes can have great appeal.
If a court is involved, you may be expected to show proof that you can purchase without any contingencies. However, it is usually possible to close an estate sale with a normal conventional loan.
It may also be possible to borrow against a current home’s equity and get a loan for an estate sale, similar to the way people leverage equity in a primary residence to buy a second home.
Your lender will probably require that the home appraise for the full value of your offer, and you would have to make up the difference to proceed with the closing.
If you’re interested in finding one of these homes, don’t be surprised if searching for “estate sale” brings you nothing but links to sales for the “contents” of the houses. Try “probate sales” or “inherited property sales” if you want to search on your own, but the easiest way is to let us do the work for you! Below are all the current listings for estate sale homes in Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
Home being sold AS-IS condition. Doublewide manufactured home for sale. Just need a little TLC. 3 bedrooms w/ 2 1/2 bath! Over 2,000 sqft! The split floor plan has the m...
Spacious .40 acres flat lot in quiet neighborhood near North Durham. Convenient to Duke and I-85. City water and sewer are available nearby.
Beautiful wooded acres with limitless potential for building. Don't miss the opportunity to build on 19.92 acres.
Investors Special! Come check out this great home that has lots of potential! Most of the work has already been complete, come add your touch to make this home yours toda...
Spacious and move in ready 3 bedroom, 2 bath home located within the Louisburg ETJ and very close to town amenities. The open floor plan features an impressive great room...
Three bedroom ranch style home with beautiful landscaped yard. This home is located in a quiet neighborhood in Micro/Smithfield. Private deck for outdoor enjoyment and ...
Price Improvements!11.3+- Acres Mini Farm! 577' road front, cleared & wooded, also 2.7+-Acres portion at back of land that is part of much larger pond owned by adjoining...
Check out this beautiful all-brick home! This home is near Hwy 70 with ample yard space and a country feel. This home is located on the front lot, is well maintained, and...
Quaint and Charming Country setting in Picturesque Community of Allensville in Person County! 2.70 ACRES! Minutes to Roxboro and short Commute to Durham,Oxford and surro...
27 acres! Beautiful land in an idyllic setting! Southern Person county. Just minutes to Durham & Raleigh yet tucked away for that perfect & peaceful haven. Bring your ani...
Check out this 3 bed, 2 bath house in downtown Apex. Lots of renovation possibilities with its Office and Institution zoning. There are no zoning issues with maintainin...
All Acceptable Offers are subject to 10 Day Upset Court Bid. Acceptable BID has been Posted. Please Call Agent if interested in upsetting current OFFER! 10 Days start 1...
Home for sale in Pineview Subdivision. Great starter home needing some TLC. Perfect for someone willing to do some upgrading to live in a great neighborhood in a sought a...
Acreage in Johnston County, just 10 miles from amenities in Flowers Plantation, easy access to Wake County, and 7.5 miles to the Buckhorn Reservoir recreational space. Fi...
1 Level Condo Living! Bright Kitchen offers Crisp White Cabinets with Raised Panel Doors and Bronze Pulls, Diagonally Laid Tile Backsplash with Decorative Inserts, Crown ...
Coming soon
Single family home built in 1960, conveniently located in close proximity to major thoroughfares and Research Triangle Park. 3 Bedrooms, 1 bathroom home with attached lot...
Beautiful home with tons of potential. Check out this great brick home.
Taking center stage in a neighborhood with an abundance of new construction, 1020 Benning St is here to perform. Dependable bricks and hardwood floors form the perfect co...
Estate owned home built in 2020. 4beds/2baths. All offers will be forwarded to estate attorney to be held for 10 day upset bid period.
Location. Location. Location. Welcom Home Neighbor. Your new home in the growing city of Oxford is this 1901 quaint downtown brick ranch that has been updated. Very well ...
Gentle sloping lot with great views and 6-7 feet of water at the end of where a dock would be. 4 Br Perk. Off of Kelly Brewer Road close to the Lake Authority Park and Hy...
Back on the market after Buyer fell through at the last moment! Beautiful 3 bed, 2 bath ranch with double garage in the gated Carolina Trace community. New metal roof and...
Coming Soon. Wake up to gorgeous pond views on 1.6 acres of beautiful, unrestricted land. This home is large & spacious with 4 BR’s and some additional flex spaces includ...
Quiet location in Canterbury Estates on .7 acre lot. One level living, Marble floor in Entry foyer, Laminate flooring in LR/DR/Kitchen-Den combination, Whole house Genera...
Beautiful all brick home comes with 3 bedrooms & 2 full baths, a huge LR for plenty of people, 3 car carport, full unfinished basement, 2 buildings that can be used as wo...
THIS IS IT !! You can have your very own spacious home near beautiful Kerr Lake. This three bedroom , three bath home offers a covered porch and fresh paint. Large lev...
Built in 1907, this home is located within the Zebulon Historic District recognized by the National Register of Historic Places. She is ready to be restored to her origi...
Lots of potential. Located in downtown Lillington at the corner of S Main and E Harnett St. Part of the parking lot of the old library building.
Great Cary location!! Near shopping, I-40, RTP and RDU airport. 2 BRs, 2.5 baths, spacious townhome. New deck, cleaned carpets, newer flooring in lower level. Refrigera...
Charming Ranch home in a cul-de-sac! Check out this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with walk-in shower that has so MUCH potential. SPACIOUS living room that leads to a galley kitc...
Charming ranch home minutes from Research Triangle Park (RTP), Downtown Durham, Raleigh, Brier Creek and RDU and 885. This home has tons of potential with a detached gara...
Location Location Location! This well built 1.5 story townhome is convenient to schools and shopping. Interior needs updating. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, master on 1st floor....
Location and convenience combine in this luxury condo.Secure entrance opens onto a stylish lobby.Augment your exercise routine by sweeping up the elegant stairs or be whi...
Great property located in South Durham near South Point Mall.This home has upgraded floors new paint and much more.The screened in porch for privacy is great.This proper...
Amazing 2.0 acres just minutes from Hwy 98 & Briar Creek & North Raleigh & RTP with no HOA or covenants. Ready to move in with new flooring, new roof, new paint. Open ...
Great opportunity. Prefect investment for Multifamily. Duplex. Parking lot. Park and ride.
GREAT LOCATION! Beautiful 2 story home in great neighborhood, close to everything Garner and Clayton has to offer, easy access to I40 and close to a ton of shopping. larg...
Price reduced! 25.18+- Acres . 15+- Acres cleared, 8 +- Acres woods 2.18+- acre portion of Large Pond front . 1,500' +- road front ,corner Bethel Baptist & Hayes Rd. Coun...
Over 6.6 Wooded Acres - Beautiful Rolling Lot in Wake Forest Near Falls Lake. Bring Your Builder! Convenient to Major Shopping, Dining, and More. Real Estate Agent is Pa...
BEAUTIFUL ONE STORY HOME NESTLED ON 1.27 ACRE CORNER LOT!!! 2022 UPDATES INCLUDE NEW HARDWOOD FLOORS, NEW HEAT/AC SYSTEM and NEW REFRIGERATOR! NEW DISHWASHER IN 2021! ...
Light, bright, south-facing house on a hill on a quiet, one-block road, 1.5 miles south of Carrboro and the NC 54 bypass. Full brick veneer exterior. Open floor plan wit...
Great 3 Bedroom / 2 Bath Brick Front Ranch Home Ready On Cul De Sac in Popular North Haven! This Charming Home Offers 1 Level Living and Formal Areas, Family Room w/ Maso...
Have you been searching for a property with 10 beautiful acres and a home ready to be renewed and restored? If so, this is IT! This home was built in 1910 and is still st...
5 ACRES on HYCO! No HOA and off a state-maintained road! A rare find! Amazing views! Easy walk to the lake, Good Water, and a double slip boat house! A tiny home with 2 b...
Beautiful Ranch Style home with open and spacious floor plan. This unique 1.5 story property features an entry level primary bedroom with an optional fourth bedroom/bonu...
3 Bedroom 2 bath Ranch home, needs updating, well built and all plumbing and electrical in basement. Conveniently located in the quaint town of Wendell. Has a unfinished ...
You will fall in love with this quaint village like community! So unique to Raleigh! A cozy little neighborhood where few homes ever go on the market. North Hills Place ...
27.66 acres partially wooded, partially cleared farm land. Easy access from State Rt. 158. Large concrete block shop on property. Manufactured home also on property. Man...
Gorgeous and meticulously cared for home with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, 2-car garage and a great size yard! Open floor plan with great family room and dining area. Kit...
Property is an estate sale. Property is in excellent condition located in the original development with curbside mail pickup!! Recent upgrades are abundant, HVAC 2021, Ne...
LIKE NEW CONSTRUCTION! Ranch home in GATED community-Cottages at Evergreen. Freshly painted open floor plan w/tons of NATURAL LIGHT! Gourmet kitchen with Double wall o...
Custom Built Brick Ranch on a corner lot near Kerr Lake! True Ranch plan with Beautiful Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors and kitchen cabinets, spacious kitchen with grani...
Wonderful, hard to find ranch home in the heart of Cary, off of Cary Parkway. The home is situated on .28 acre lot. Home offers 1497 sqft, 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, livin...
Bring your builder or divide. This beautiful property is in the perfect location to shop,near the hospital or to travel Hwy 85. This land has so many possibilities so com...
WELCOME HOME! This lovely home is located right outside Rocky Mount City limits on 5.95 ACRES. Very secluded with lots of custom features. Home has hardwood floors throug...
Freshly updated with new Granite Counter Tops, Lighting and Paint throughout! Oversize Garage with usable space for storage above. New Water Heater 2023! Recessed light...
This is an estate, property being sold as is. Showings to begin 1/13/2023. End unit Townhome. Master with vaulted ceilings, huge walk in closer, master bath w/ dual vanit...
Wonderful Ranch in Valley Brook neighborhood on .36 acre lot. This 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom house has a formal living room, dining room, sunroom and large family work with...
Rare opportunity to own one of Dunbarton's largest townhomes. Spacious living room with soaring ceilings, fireplace & built ins with deck access. Kitchen is a great space...
Rare find at Villas of Wake Forest! Lovely ranch has an open floor plan that exudes an abundance of natural light. This 2 bedroom, 2 bath move-in-ready condo offers vault...
Carolina Preserve is the premier Del Webb 55+ active adult community located in Cary, North Carolina . Check out this 2 bedroom plus den single level town home. This is...
So lovingly maintained, this home is the coveted one level,brick,beauty featuring majestic magnolia trees framing a landscaped corner lot, on a quiet cul-de-sac. Freshly ...
HUGE Retail/Storage/Warehouse Building in the Heart of Selma For Sale! Entire Roof Recently Repaired. 10 Year Transferrable Warranty. Ideal Location for most any type of...
Agricultural and wooded land for sale in Roseboro, North Carolina. Approximately 88.67 acres. Close to Fayetteville. Just over an hour from Raleigh. Road Frontage on two ...
Just under an acre in South East Raleigh. R-6 Zoning. Meritage Homes is developing in the surrounding area. House on the property is subject to Ordinance Ordering the Rep...
Great Location in Southern Vance County off NC 39 and Gillburg Rd. Adjoins Solare farm on rear of property. Small pond on property. Commercial use highest and best how...
New Reduced Price! Check out this unique property! Beautiful, custom-built home is 3 beds, 2 baths, and sits next to a charming pond. Just off Benvenue Road, this rustic ...
Ranch home with 1156sf and 7.61 acres. Detached Garage. City water and sewer. Fish from the pond!! Pond on the back of the property has a lake cabin and 2 barns. Potenti...
Cute home in wonderful Old west Durham neighborhood. Home built cicra 1935. Pretty street. Walkable location to so many places. Nice front covered porch. Home offers 2 be...
Sandy Plain Mini Mart a convenance store which has been a fixture on Hwy 50 for many years. The store has a kitchen and fixtures which convey with the property. Only a mi...
Calling all Car Buffs/MotorHeads/DIYers...Huge workspace outback offers SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES!!! Updated custom built ITB home awaits your personal touch. Both Family&Liv...
Brightwood Farm! Fabulous upgrades!! Remodeled 6BR/4BA's featuring 3860 sq ft, Dbl garage. NEW LVP flooring installed throughout. Beautiful NEW Kitchen, stacked stone is...
NEW Construction feel without the wait! This 12 Oaks Home is MOVE IN READY and lives like a RANCH! First floor features Master Bedroom w/ walk-in Closet, master bath with...
I am Absolutely Stunning & Looking for a New Owner to Call Me Home. City Living in a Private County Neighborhood. Gleaming Hardwood Floors & Tons of Natural Light. My ...
120+/- Secluded acres in nature's paradise via an easement from Old Allensville road. This beautiful property comes with a one of a kind log cabin that needs to be loved...
This former residential mini-farm near downtown Oxford is a gently sloping right to left and front to back. The property is surrounded by Commercial and light industrial ...
PRICE ADJUSTMENT!! Welcome home to Falls River! You'll LOVE this spacious home with room for everyone in private cul-de-sac location! Bring your rocking chairs to enjoy ...
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY! Charming 1900s farmhouse on 40+ ACRES in southern Alamance County. Rolling pastures, pond, grain bin, old milk parlor, shed. LARGE BARN w/ multiple st...
Awesome One Story - 2 Family home with views of Moores Pond. A Rare find! This Hard to fine home offers an In-Law suite with a Living area w/ FP and a Separate Entrance. ...
New Price! GREAT location on 501 in Person County! Appx. 34 acres! See pictures for approximate property lines. Partial cleared, partial hardwoods. Currently has tower wi...
Great opportunity! 63 acres of beautiful land located in the eastern half of NC, midway between NY & Fl. This puts businesses within a two day truck drive of more than 2...
Prize property for developers/builders/homeowners with Cary Town Center Cottage Business & Residential (RC-CB&R) zoning. These areas are appropriate for both single famil...
Prize property for developers/builders/homeowners with Cary Town Center Cottage Business & Residential (RC-CB&R) zoning. These areas are appropriate for both single famil...
1.85 acres in the growing Fuquay Varina Community. This property has high visibility, which makes it perfect for retail, childcare or an office building. Currently zoned ...
Great location! This 3.12 corner lot is on the corner of White Street & Bell Fork Rd! Sale includes two commerical buildings! Convenient DOT back entrance, as well as a s...
~26 acres of raw land within 5 miles of Chatham Park and downtown Pittsboro. Undeveloped with double road frontage.(2 lots - one 4.5 and remainder lot of ~21 acres) Man-...
OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE OR DEVELOP IN DESIRABLE HAYES BARTON, FIVE POINTS, INSIDE THE BELTLINE LOCATION. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW ZONING ORDINANCES FOR R4 ZONING (Frequent Trans...
OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE OR DEVELOP IN DESIRABLE HAYES BARTON, FIVE POINTS, INSIDE THE BELTLINE LOCATION. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF NEW ZONING ORDINANCES FOR R4 ZONING (Frequent Trans...
Gorgeous 115+/- Acres On Hwy 15 Southwest Of Creedmoor! This Farm has it All! Crop Fields Ready for the Spring Planting, Very Nice Timber, 2 Ponds and Future Development ...
Wake County property with tremendous potential. Fantastic location. High visibility. Great opportunity to build next a Circle-K Convenient Store. Minutes from downtown R...
Once in a lifetime opportunity to own this scenic Chatham County legacy tract of land. This remarkable -/+ 115-acre tract is 11 miles from Pittsboro, North Carolina. Appr...
Beautiful 50 acre parcel. Prime for development, this parcel with over 2700 feet of road frontage could be a large commercial out parcel or maybe even apartments. City of...
APPT ONLY. Corner of Hwy 158/14 and Hwy 29 is 37+/- prime acres with road frontage and access. AMAZING opportunity never before offered, this is by far a great one to jum...
STUNNING BRICK ESTATE ON 8.5 ACRES, 2 OWNERS SUITES/INLAW SUITE w/PRIVATE ENTRANCE, 3 CAR GARAGE+SEPARATE 2 CAR PARKING STRUCTURE & SEPARATE STORAGE BUILDING IN HEART OF ...
Exceptional Land Opportunity in Butner NC! This 157 acre opportunity sits just moments from downtown Durham North Carolina. With easy access to I-85 and Research Triangle...
Huge Estate! Enjoy the unique, quiet and privacy this estate farm setting has to offer! This huge 75.58-acre farm estate is located inside the city limits of Clinton wi...
Listings provided courtesy of Triangle MLS, Inc. of NC, Internet Data Exchange Database. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. © 2023 Triangle MLS, Inc. of North Carolina. Data last updated .