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Estate Sales - Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill
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.
1. Patience is needed to complete this type of sale.
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.
2. Expect to buy “as-is.”
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.
3. Pricing
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.
4. Expect to renovate!
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.
4. Financing
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.
Estates Sales in Raleigh, Durham, and the Surrounding Areas
Bungalow style ranch home with 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths. Home needs TLC. Price reflects repairs needed. Add your special touch to make it your own.
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2512142 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2490841 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Offers have been submitted. House is being bid on now at the courthouse. There is a 10 day bid upset. GREAT Opportunity!!! Old Stem School Cafeteria and Home Economi...
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2504616 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
COUNTRY CLUB ESTATES. 3BR/2BA Ranch on half an acre lot. Being sold AS-IS. Peaceful neighborhood with a view of the pond. The lot reaches past the fully fenced back ya...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2514086 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Two 1+/- acre lots available for sale, will not sell separately. Includes 3 bedroom single wide home, title has NOT been retired. Foundation does not meet HUD standards....
- 2500873 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
HOME HAD FIRE RECENTLY. MUST BE SOLD. BEING SOLD FOR LAND VALUE. DO NOT ENTER HOME. COURT BIDDING REQUIRED
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2513849 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2482748 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 ...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2477543 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
This 3 bedroom home is located in a quiet neighborhood in Halifax. It has a fenced backyard, separate storage building, utility room and large open kitchen dining area. M...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2512022 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
7.44 ACRES right off Hwy 87 N in Pittsboro. It's a great time to invest in land and it's smart to get it while you can. The secret is out, Chatham County is growing! We h...
- 2513662 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Back on the Market! The previous contract was terminated due to, no fault of the Seller. Investor's Dream! Potential AirBnB during summer AAU season. Need some TLC and so...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2504650 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Emphasis Location for this land: close to 15-501 and minutes away to government club high-end house community. Private wooded 2.6 acreage in very sought after area in Ch...
- 2498441 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful tract of land in Oak Lane school district. Can not be developed more than 4 lots (5 acre tract minimal each lot). Site built homes only. Pond on the property...
- 2489825 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Fully Finished Basement Home located in Cary ready to be Fixed and Flipped, Invested and Rent, or Fix and Live!!! Within 5 MINUTES of DOWNTOWN Cary, HWY 54 and I-40 for e...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2513025 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Investor or Developer Alert! Location ,Location, Location in an upcoming town of Franklinton NC. This property is located 0.25 mile from commercial properties on Hwy 56. ...
- 2 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2512549 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
One Level Living in the heart of Durham! Convenient to shops, restaurants, Duke, UNC and so much more! This first floor, end unit condo features a spacious floor plan w...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2513392 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Own your very own slice of Heaven! 4.87 acres of beautiful green wooded serenity! The house needs work and is priced accordingly! This all brick home has incredible bones...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2511871 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Lot is located in the Fuquay Varina corporate district future plan use is Suburban Commercial. Lot is still zoned residential highest and best use is commercial. Public ...
- 2513791 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Adorable and well loved 2 bed 2 bath home with den, living room, screened in porch with swing that conveys, hardwoods, 2 storage buildings, HVAC 2018, Water heater 2019, ...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2514533 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Private, forested land lot zoned R-1 with loads of potential on over 5 acres. Nestled in a highly sought after Chapel Hill area, this property backs up to the Governor’s ...
- 2509538 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Cape Cod on lg private lot w/fenced yard. Huge rocking chair front porch & 2 lg decks in back to enjoy. Western school district. Main bedroom on first floor has a garden ...
- 2 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2514701 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 leve...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2448113 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
64+/- acres sold in 2 tracts. Tr-1:20.2 ac w/ 1576 sq ft, 2 bedroom, 2 bath home. Tr-2: 44 ac w/ a 5 ac pond and timber. Beautiful home site. Tracts can be combined f...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2514402 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful setting in rural Goldston with over 6 acres of land, with pasture & fencing. Brick ranch home has a attached carport, detached car shed, covered deck, great ga...
- 2 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2514232 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Great opportunity. Prefect investment for Multifamily. Duplex. Parking lot. Park and ride.
- 2428001 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
BEAUTIFUL 3BR/2BA SPLIT BEDROOM RANCH ON A .89 ACRE LOT. Includes spacious living room with a cathedral ceiling and corner gaslog fireplace; formal dining room, kitchen ...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2495670 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful Ranch style home with acreage in the desired Silk Hope school district! Ceiling fans and crown molding in almost every room, 10x12 storage building, unfinished ...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2513811 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2470528 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 come with a great imagination. Th...
- 2479520 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Do you want land? Privacy? Country living with easy city access. Homesteaders and Developers welcome! LAND! Renovation potential! Contractors welcome! Have you been sear...
- 1 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2488655 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
No Neighbors behind you! Great Ranch style home with Bonus Room on 2nd in perfectly located Buckhaven subdivision! Maintained lawn community. Home backs to HOA land! Open...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2499461 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
IMMACULATE SINGLE LEVEL PATIO HOME IN ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITY! With fresh paint & carpet, this bright, airy ranch features open floorplan, 2 bedrooms each w/ensuite bath/w...
- 2 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2513650 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Located in desirable WAKEFIELD! Amenities including pool, tennis & golf memberships (for a fee). Open floorplan with PRIMARY BEDROOM on FIRST FLOOR. SECOND BEDROOM also o...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2512218 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Great Interstate Off Ramp Opportunity- Reduced Price , Located at intersection of Hwy 117 Warsaw, N C and Interstate I-40, ( 19+- Acres)
- 2509090 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Approximately 33 acres- 2 parcels of land- located off of Hwy 27 W, approximately 8 miles outside of Lillington. Great for hunting and recreational use, or bring your dev...
- 2494217 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 ...
- 2465008 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2484550 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful Transitional styled home in popular Brightleaf subdivision neighborhood! Great access to the major highways (I-40, Durham Freeway, US 70). Fifteen minute drive ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2512352 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Embrace nature on this peaceful, 10 acre, undeveloped, land lot! Custom build a forever home and bring your horses to create a majestic compound to fall in love with. Thi...
- 2514777 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2478847 MLS
- Sandy Plain Mart Bldg.
- ACTIVE Status
Great opportunity land development in Fuquay-Varina. 219 Dickens road is being sold along with 6 other lots for a total of 6.7 acres(0,213,215,223,227, and 231 Dickens r...
- 2512775 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Large single level Kerr Lake home in Henderson Point Shores. This 3 bedroom, 2 bath home features an open floor plan, with formal living, dining and a den, a sunroom, a l...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2511609 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
The Rolling Hills of Bushy Fork hard to find. This 60(+,-) acres is located in the beautiful community of Bushy Fork with a pond and cleared land and Harwoods. The farm ...
- 2499957 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Midtown charmer surrounded by multimillion $ homes! Close to North Hills ranch on massive .60 acre corner cul de sac lot is ready for your personal touches! Many updates ...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2505003 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
BACK ON MARKET 5-12! Beautiful 1 Owner Townhome! 1st Flr Master, Pre-Wired For Ceiling Fan! Master Glamour Bath, Tile Floors, Double Sink Vanity W, Granite! Water Closet,...
- 3 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2505149 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 ...
- 2468502 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Immaculately Maintained Home in Excellent Location. Features include 4 bedrooms and 3 Full baths . Main Level Primary suite with large walk-in closet and garden tub, mai...
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2503535 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2468352 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Now available - 2817 Rothgeb - almost 1/2 acre in one of ITB's top neighborhoods! Hardwood floors, fireplace, lovely front porch. Updated bathroom with large tile shower ...
- 2 Beds
- 1 Baths
- 2511906 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Brick veneer, 4 bedroom, 4-1/2 bath, bonus room, den with gas fireplace, eat in kitchen, dining and living room. Master bedroom downstairs. Located in Cobble Creek Subdiv...
- 4 Beds
- 5 Baths
- 2512446 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Amazing Estate home in a sought out Gated Community with 4 acres on the Waterfront and also a separate small pond located on the Property. Drive down the winding drive pa...
- 3 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2512975 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2389294 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
~22 acres of raw land within 5 miles of Chatham Park and downtown Pittsboro. Undeveloped with double road frontage. Man-made pond on lot with depth of about 10 feet (uns...
- 2485341 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
1.85 acres in the growing Fuquay Varina Community. This property has high visibility, which makes it perfect for a daycare, medical, restaurant, retail or office building...
- 2505675 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2482694 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Enjoy the space in this 3 level Mediterranean style home that features Spanish tile throughout the main living area, Grand foyer, 1st floor primary bedroom, high ceilings...
- 6 Beds
- 6 Baths
- 2450133 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Make this your own piece of HEAVEN or SUBDIVIDE and invite your friends to enjoy this beautiful parcel! Build your home by the pond or closer to the lake. 2 mins. from JO...
- 2511787 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Wake County property with tremendous potential. Fantastic location. High visibility. Great opportunity. Minutes from downtown Raleigh and Research Triangle Park. The pro...
- 2377640 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2446087 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2491949 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Picturesque country estate includes 2 parcels totally approx. 23 acres w/spacious house,fenced pasture,3-stall barn,pond.House is surrounded by old-growth hardwood trees....
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2510409 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
+/- 113.7 Acres of Mostly Flat Farmland/ Over 2500' ROAD FRONTAGE!!!Perfect for Continued Farming or Tax Free Exchange with Sellers Approval/ Excellent for Potential Subd...
- 2505009 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Beautiful Custom All Brick home in North Ridge, on the 9th green / 10th tee box. Stunning Entrance into the Grand Foyer. Extensive Trim and Hardwood floors. Formal Dinin...
- 4 Beds
- 4 Baths
- 2503150 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 2436288 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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...
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2465781 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
Unique opportunity. Currently there is an older brick veneer ranch house on the property. Remove and build your estate home or renovate (in fair condition). There are lo...
- 2508409 MLS
- ACTIVE Status
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 .