You did not ask for it. Maybe you live in Seattle, or Boise, or Phoenix, and now you suddenly own a house in Spokane that you do not want, cannot maintain, and were not planning around. Or maybe you live a few miles from it and just know, in your gut, that keeping it is not the right move for your life right now.
You have more options than you might think. This article walks through every real choice you have when you inherit a Spokane house you do not want — including the ones nobody seems to mention.
First, Slow Down for a Week
You almost never need to make a final decision in the first few days. The house is not going anywhere. Before you commit to anything, make sure you have:
- Verified how the property was titled (trust, joint tenancy, Transfer on Death Deed, or sole name)
- Confirmed whether probate is required (our Spokane probate sale guide covers this)
- Located the mortgage statement, insurance policy, and most recent property tax bill
- Made sure the home is locked, the heat is on, and insurance is in force
Once those basics are settled, you can think clearly about the bigger question: what do you actually want to do with this house?
Option 1: Sell to a Cash Buyer (Fast and Simple)
This is the most common path for unwanted inherited houses, especially when:
- The house needs significant repairs or updating
- It is full of belongings and you do not want to sort through them
- You live out of town and cannot manage showings
- Siblings are spread across the country and just want it resolved
- The probate process is stretching on and carrying costs are mounting
A reputable Spokane cash buyer can typically tour the property within 48 hours, write an offer in 24 hours, and close in seven to fourteen days. You do not clean, repair, or stage. You do not pay commissions. You walk away with a single check.
The trade-off: cash offers come in below full retail. In our experience the spread is usually narrower than people expect once you back out commissions, repair costs, holding costs (mortgage, taxes, insurance, utilities), and the value of your time, but it is real.
Option 2: List With a Spokane Agent
If the home is in good condition, in a desirable area like South Hill, Five Mile, Indian Trail, or near Manito Park, and you have the bandwidth to deal with showings and repairs, listing on the open market usually nets the highest gross sale price. Expect:
- 2–6 weeks of prep (cleanout, paint, minor repairs)
- 2–4 weeks on market in a normal Spokane season
- 30–45 day closing
- 5–6% in commissions plus seller costs
So a listed sale typically wraps in two to four months total, not counting probate. You will likely come out with more cash, but you also stay actively involved in the property the entire time.
Option 3: Rent It Out
Spokane has a strong rental market. A clean, well-located three-bedroom in Mead, North Spokane, or East Central typically rents for $1,650–$2,200 per month. If the mortgage is paid off (or low) and you do not mind being a landlord, this can generate steady cash flow.
The honest downsides:
- Vacancies, repairs, and tenant issues take time and money
- Out-of-state owners almost always need a property manager (typically 8–10% of rent)
- You stay legally and financially tied to a property in a city you do not live in
- You lose the immediate stepped-up basis tax advantage if you eventually sell after years of appreciation
Renting works best for heirs who already live in Spokane, who have the temperament for landlording, and who own the home free and clear.
Option 4: Move Into It
If your own housing situation is unstable or you have always wanted to live in Spokane, moving in is worth at least considering. Inheriting a paid-off (or low-mortgage) home can be a genuine life-changer. Spokane is more affordable than the West Side, has a real downtown, and has neighborhoods at every price point. If the layout works for your family and the location works for your job, it is worth the thought.
Option 5: Disclaim the Inheritance
This one surprises most people: you do not have to accept an inheritance. Washington law (and federal law) allows you to file a qualified disclaimer, typically within nine months of the death, refusing the property. If you disclaim, the asset passes as if you had died before the decedent, going to the next person in line under the will or the intestacy rules.
People disclaim for reasons like:
- The property has more liabilities than equity (heavy mortgage, code issues, environmental problems)
- They are on means-tested benefits that would be jeopardized by the inheritance
- They want the asset to pass directly to their children for estate-planning reasons
Disclaiming is a powerful tool but technical. Do not do it without talking to a Washington attorney.
Option 6: Donate It
Some nonprofits accept real estate donations. If the home has significant equity and you do not need the money, donating can produce a tax deduction. This works best with houses in solid condition and clear title. Houses with mortgages, deferred maintenance, or environmental issues are generally not accepted.
What If There Are Multiple Heirs and You Do Not Agree?
This is one of the most common situations we see. Three siblings inherit a North Spokane rambler — one wants to sell now, one wants to rent it, one wants to move in. A few things that help:
- Get a neutral cash offer in writing so everyone has a real number to anchor on
- Get a separate market analysis from a local agent
- If a sibling wants to keep the house, they can buy out the others at the agreed value
- If you cannot agree, Washington allows a partition action in superior court — a last resort that forces a sale, but expensive and slow
In our experience, once everyone sees the same numbers in writing, decisions get made fast. Without numbers, people argue in abstractions for months.
The Tax Piece You Should Not Miss
Inherited property generally receives a stepped-up cost basis to fair market value on the date of death. If you sell within a year or two, capital gains tax is typically minimal. If you rent and hold for many years, you start accumulating gains again on top of that stepped-up number. This is one of the strongest financial arguments for selling sooner rather than later. Confirm with a CPA — this is general information, not tax advice.
A Realistic Next Step
The most useful single thing you can do this week is get an honest number on the property in its current condition. Once you know what it is actually worth (not Zillow, not what mom thought it was worth), every other decision becomes easier.
We provide free, no-obligation 24-hour cash offers on inherited Spokane properties in any condition, no matter where you live. Call (509) 720-8429 or use the form on this page. Even if you decide not to sell, you walk away knowing your real options.