Yes, It’s Possible for an Executor to Sell Property To Themselves — Here’s How

What if the executor is the sole beneficiary?

The simplest scenario is when the executor is the sole beneficiary of the estate. In that case, the executor wouldn’t have to go through the purchase process, since the house was already bequeathed to them — but there would be some steps involved in transferring ownership.

If the decedent set up a transfer-on-death (TOD) deed, that would allow for an easy transfer of the home and any other assets to the executor/beneficiary without having to go through the probate process. In this scenario, the executor wouldn’t actually need to initiate a sale; he or she would just need to file the death certificate with the courts.

If the transfer-on-death deed was not set up before the owner passed away, but the executor is the sole beneficiary, the executor would need to go through probate to change the title to reflect the new ownership.

What if there are multiple beneficiaries?

When multiple beneficiaries are involved, the situation gets a little more complicated.

Matthew Harber, a top real estate agent in Tacoma, Washington, says it could become a problem for the buyer if any other beneficiaries contest the chain of title and claim that they should have benefited from the sale.

“If there are other heirs involved, it comes down to whether it’s an amicable dynamic,” he says. “Assuming it’s amicable and there are no issues, everyone just has to agree on a price, and then all of the beneficiaries will get their portion of the sale.”

If there’s contention among the beneficiaries, Harber says you can take one of two main routes:

• Hire an appraiser to determine what the property is worth, and a judge will most likely determine fair distribution, or
• Put the house on the open market to gauge its market value.

For the smoothest possible sale, it’s important to make sure everyone is agreeable to the sale and to draw up a plan before starting the process.

“After the general plan is in place, the assets are liquidated or transferred in accordance with the plan, which is based on the will and law,” explains Rajeh A. Saadeh, a probate attorney who practices in New Jersey. “If there are beneficiaries and the house is being sold, the real estate sale must try to maximize the net proceeds from the sale, so the beneficiaries can receive the maximum amount after creditors are paid.”

What needs to happen for an executor to purchase the home?

The two most important steps are to make sure all beneficiaries agree with the executor purchasing the home and to settle on a sale price. If there are any differences in opinion or outright conflict, it usually emerges during this stage.

Attorney Jamie Hargrove, co-founder of NetLaw Group, explains that in most cases, the executor should secure a third-party appraisal and then seek the approval of the beneficiaries. If the beneficiaries don’t agree with the appraised value, the executor can seek approval from the probate court. The specific rules surrounding this process vary by state.

But even if the executor orders an appraisal, it might not be an indication of the home’s true value.

“No one really knows what a piece of property is worth until it’s actually transferred in an arm’s length transaction between independent, unrelated parties: a willing seller and a willing buyer,” Hargrove explains. “Appraisers make every attempt to find that true value, but in many cases, multiple appraisals can be significantly different.”

Once the executor has submitted a written offer to the court and all beneficiaries have consented to the sale, the remainder of the process is similar to a traditional purchase. The executor will sign the purchase contract, come up with any funding needed to complete the purchase, and go through the closing process, at which point the payment is made, and the title is transferred to the executor.

What exactly is an arm’s length transaction?

An arm’s length transaction is a deal made between a buyer and a seller who are both acting independently in their own self-interest with no conflict or collusion. Both parties have access to all of the same information, with no “insider data” to give one of them an advantage. Arm’s length transactions are typically easier to finance, are quicker and more convenient, and don’t present any risk of personal tension or conflict.

In contrast, a non-arm’s length transaction is where the buyer and seller have a relationship that can lead to the price of the property being manipulated to one party’s benefit. When an executor is attempting to purchase a house from an estate with multiple beneficiaries, this isn’t a purely objective arm’s length transaction — but that doesn’t mean it can’t happen.

To complete a non-arm’s length deal smoothly and within legal bounds, it’s a good idea to work with a real estate attorney throughout the entire process to help protect the rights and interests of everyone involved.

Navigating the path for executors to purchase estate property

As long as the proper procedures are followed — which means making an offer that reflects fair market value, and then either getting signed consent from any other beneficiaries or obtaining approval from the courts — it is possible and legal for an executor to purchase a home from the estate.

If you’re interested in starting this process, it’s in your best interest to consult with a knowledgeable real estate agent and perhaps a probate attorney who can guide you through the steps and make sure you’re complying with all local laws and regulations.

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