Texas Probate Home Sales
Clear guidance for selling a Texas home during probate.
Your practical Texas probate guide for executors, administrators, trustees, and heirs navigating the sale of an inherited property in Texas.
Not sure what to do first?
Start Here: Find Your Situation and Get Practical Guidance
Every estate is different. Choose the pathway that matches where you are right now and see exactly what to do next.
No legal jargon. No pressure. Just clear, practical steps for executors, heirs, and trustees.
Start Here
Not Sure Where to Begin?
Start with the situation that most closely matches yours. You will see the immediate property issues to address, the documents to locate, and the questions to take to your attorney, title company, insurer, mortgage servicer, or real-estate professional.
The Homeowner Just Died
Protect the property and gather information.
Probate Has Not Been Filed
Understand what can be done before appointment.
I Have Letters Testamentary or Administration
Shift from appointment to property planning.
There Is No Will
Understand heirship, authority, and title.
The House Has a Mortgage
Protect payment status and understand the loan.
The House Is Vacant or at Risk
Address insurance, security, and maintenance.
What You'll Find Here
Selling a home during probate is rarely just "list it and sell it."
A probate house sale in Texas involves authority, timing, title, condition, pricing, disclosures, family dynamics, and operational discipline. This site exists to help executors, administrators, trustees, and heirs understand the moving parts — and know when to bring in the right professionals.
In Texas, probate typically takes 6 to 12 months, though complex estates can extend beyond 18 months. Approximately 67% of American adults do not have an up-to-date will (Caring.com, 2024), which can add significant time and cost to the probate process. The estate home sale itself — from listing to close — usually takes 4 to 6 months once the property is on the market.
The Probate Process
From authority and court filings through title investigation and closing — the full executor journey, step by step.
Read the guideSelling the Property
Condition, pricing, disclosures, marketing, contract negotiation, and closing — everything about preparing and executing the sale.
Read the guideExecutor's Checklist
A comprehensive, 15-section checklist covering every practical moving part of an estate home sale in Texas.
View & downloadFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions executors ask about selling a home during probate in Texas — practical, specific answers.
Read the FAQCounty Probate Courts
Court locations, filing notes, and practical information for Bexar, Kendall, Comal, Medina, Bandera, Kerr, and Gillespie Counties.
View county courtsResources
Estate attorneys, CPAs, title companies, and other trusted professionals I work with in the Hill Country area.
Browse resources
About Bill Ross
Nearly four decades of sales and marketing experience — now focused entirely on what families need most during a difficult time.
Bill Ross is the founder of Hill Country Homesteads Group. After a career in high-tech sales and marketing spanning nearly four decades, he now dedicates his practice to guiding families through probate and estate property sales across the Texas Hill Country.
As a Certified Probate Expert with training as a Texas Affordable Housing Specialist, Bill combines deep market knowledge with a direct, strategic, and client-first approach. His practice is built on the belief that executors deserve clear, practical guidance — not pressure, not hype, and not confusion.
"An executor is a fiduciary and must act with the care, skill, and diligence that a prudent person would exercise in managing the property of another."
Service Areas
Serving the Texas Hill Country & Greater San Antonio Area
Educational guidance statewide. Real-estate representation in the communities Bill knows best.
What Happens to a House When the Owner Dies in Texas?
When a Texas homeowner dies, the property doesn't automatically transfer to the heirs — even if the will names them. The home enters the probate process, where a court-supervised executor or administrator manages the estate. In Texas, about 70% of estates are handled through independent administration, which gives the executor broad authority to manage and sell property without ongoing court supervision (Texas Estates Code, Chapter 401).
The executor's first tasks are to secure the property, maintain insurance, manage carrying costs (which can run $1,500 to $3,000 or more per month for mortgage, taxes, insurance, and utilities), and assemble a professional team. Whether the home is eventually sold depends on the will's instructions, the estate's financial needs, and the heirs' plans. For buyers interested in probate properties, these homes can offer genuine opportunities when priced below market and handled with proper due diligence.
"The independent executor shall possess all the rights and powers that the testator would have had if living, including the power to sell, lease, or mortgage the estate's real property without further court order."
Next Step
Not sure where to begin? Start with a conversation.
Whether you've just received letters testamentary or you're deep into the process, a brief consultation can help you understand where you stand and what comes next. No pressure, no obligation.
Educational Notice: This website provides general educational information about selling real estate during probate in Texas. It does not constitute legal, tax, or financial advice. Always consult a qualified Texas estate attorney and appropriate licensed professionals for guidance specific to your situation. Texas Real Estate License #778434.