Sell an Inherited House in Tampa, FL (Probate)

The short answer

Usually, yes. A Tampa house that’s part of an estate is normally sold during probate in Hillsborough County, signed by the court-appointed personal representative after Letters of Administration are issued. A will with a power of sale avoids a separate court order; without one, the court authorizes or confirms the sale (Florida Statutes 733.613). Taxes and liens are paid from the proceeds at closing.

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From the will to the closing: a Hillsborough estate, step by step

The will goes to the Clerk first. Florida gives whoever holds the original will 10 days after learning of the death to deposit it with the clerk of the court where the estate belongs (Florida Statutes §732.901) — for someone who lived in Tampa, the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court.
The case opens in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit. Hillsborough probate cases are filed with the Clerk and heard in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa. A Florida attorney usually files it; most formal administrations require one.
Follow it online. Case dockets and filed documents can be viewed through the Clerk’s HOVER system (hover.hillsclerk.com) — useful when the heirs live out of state and want to see where things stand.
Letters, then the sale. Once the court issues Letters of Administration, the personal representative can sign. With a power of sale in the will, no separate order is needed (§733.613(2)); otherwise the court authorizes or confirms the sale before title passes (§733.613(1)).
Closing. A licensed Florida title company checks who has authority, pays the taxes, liens and any mortgage from the proceeds, and pays the estate.

Four questions that decide how fast it goes

Is there a will with a power of sale? Yes: no separate court order to sell. No: build the court’s authorization or confirmation into the timeline (§733.613).
Is it a small or older estate? Summary administration may be available when a will doesn’t direct formal administration and either the property subject to administration, less property exempt from creditors, is $150,000 or less, or the person died more than two years ago (§735.201). The $150,000 limit took effect July 1, 2026; the old $75,000 limit may still apply to earlier deaths, so ask the attorney. It often takes weeks instead of months.
Was the house a homestead? Protected homestead passes under the Florida Constitution’s own rules, which can change who signs the deed. Ask the attorney about it first.
When was the notice to creditors published? Most claims are barred unless filed within 3 months after the first publication, or within 30 days after service for a creditor who must be served, if that’s later (§733.702). The house can be under contract during that window.

More on each in our Florida probate selling guide.

Tampa issues that come with inherited houses

Back taxes and Hillsborough’s weekly auctions. Hillsborough tax deed sales are held online at hillsborough.realtaxdeed.com, most Thursdays at 10:00 AM ET. The Hillsborough Tax Collector says an owner can redeem any time before the property is sold at auction, which stops the sale. See behind on property taxes in Hillsborough.
Storm damage: Hillsborough County uses 50%. Outside city limits, damage is “substantial” when restoring the building would cost 50% or more of its market value before the damage (hcfl.gov/sdig); the City of Tampa makes its own determinations. See the 49% / 50% rule.
Code cases. Inside Tampa city limits, the City’s Neighborhood Enhancement Division enforces the City Code, and cases go before code enforcement magistrates who can set fines. Outside the city, it’s Hillsborough County Code Enforcement. Recorded fines are paid or released at closing (how code liens work).
Look it up yourself. Ownership and values: Hillsborough County Property Appraiser. Deeds and probate: Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Taxes: Hillsborough County Tax Collector.
A house in Pinellas or Pasco? See inherited houses in St. Petersburg and Pinellas or selling in Pasco County.

What working with us looks like

One call with AL, usually the same day, about who passed, whether there’s a will and where the case stands. If no case is open yet, you can still get an offer; the closing waits for someone with authority to sign.
A written cash offer, usually within 24 hours of the walkthrough.
The house as it is. Belongings, an old kitchen, a roof near the end of its life — we buy it as-is.
On the estate’s date. Typically 7–21 days once the title is clear, or later if the court needs more time.
No fees to us. No commission; we pay the normal seller closing costs, and taxes and liens are paid from the proceeds at closing.
Clear roles. We’re not real estate agents and not attorneys. Tampete Homes LLC (d/b/a HomeSellerCashOffer) buys for its own account and works alongside the estate’s lawyer.

Sources

Florida Statutes §732.901, §733.613 and §735.201 — 732.901, 733.613, 735.201 (2026 Florida Statutes; 735.201 as amended by ch. 2026-57); §733.702 — 733.702 (2025)
Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Delinquent Property Tax — hillstaxfl.gov (read October 8, 2026 for our Hillsborough tax guide)
Hillsborough County, Substantial Damage and Improvement Guidelines — hcfl.gov/sdig (read October 11, 2026)
City of Tampa Neighborhood Enhancement and Hillsborough County Code Enforcement — linked above (read October 8, 2026 for our Tampa page)
Statutes read October 15, 2026.

Straight Answers

Questions we hear a lot

Can I sell an inherited house in Tampa before probate closes?

Usually, yes. Inherited houses are normally sold during probate. In a formal administration, the personal representative can sign once the court issues Letters of Administration; without a power of sale in the will, the court also authorizes or confirms the sale (Florida Statutes 733.613).

Where is probate filed for someone who lived in Tampa?

With the Hillsborough County Clerk of Court. Cases are heard in the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit in Tampa, and the docket and filed documents can be viewed online through the Clerk’s HOVER system.

How small does a Florida estate have to be for summary administration?

Either the property subject to administration, less property exempt from creditors, is $150,000 or less, or the person died more than two years ago, whatever the size — and a will, if there is one, doesn’t direct formal administration (Florida Statutes 735.201). The $150,000 limit took effect July 1, 2026; the old $75,000 limit may still apply to earlier deaths, so the attorney confirms which applies.

There’s a tax deed sale date on the inherited house. Is it too late?

Not until the sale. The Hillsborough Tax Collector says the owner can redeem any time before the property is sold at auction, which stops the sale. Selling the house can also pay the taxes from the proceeds, as long as the money reaches the Tax Collector before the auction.

Who signs if there are several heirs?

Usually the court-appointed personal representative, who controls the sale of estate property subject to the will and the court. Protected homestead can pass differently, so the probate attorney confirms who has to sign.

Are you a real estate agent?

No. HomeSellerCashOffer is not a real estate agent or broker. We buy houses directly, for our own account, as Tampete Homes LLC, and close through a licensed Florida title company.

How fast can you close?

Typically 7–21 days once the title work is clear, or on the date you pick if you need more time.

AL Cakici · Owner, HomeSellerCashOffer (Tampete Homes LLC)

AL buys houses in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco for his own account and has personally purchased and assisted with 100+ transactions over 10+ years across the country. He is not an attorney; this page is general information drawn from the sources listed above, not legal advice. Facts checked against those sources on October 15, 2026.

What sellers say

Posted on Google

“I was skeptical at first when these guys approached me about my home, but they were very knowledgeable and straightforward. They did all the work. These guys know what it means to do good business, which is unfortunately rare nowadays.”

Andrew Z.

Google review, 2026

Posted on Google

“Working with HomeSellerCashOffer has been nothing but a positive experience. Al is extremely professional, transparent, and always a pleasure to work with. He communicates clearly, keeps the process smooth, and goes above and beyond to make sure everything stays on track”

Matthew N.

Google review, 2025

Posted on Google

“As an investor myself, I get bombarded from people trying to buy my houses. AL and his team were miles above anybody else that’s approached me, super knowledgeable, professional and transparent. Recommend to anyone that wants top tier service.”

Joshua H.

Google review, January 2026

Inherited a house in Tampa? What it takes to sell it.

From the will to the closing: a Hillsborough estate, step by step

Four questions that decide how fast it goes

Tampa issues that come with inherited houses

What working with us looks like

Sources

Questions we hear a lot

What sellers say

Talk to AL — not a call center.

Inherited a house in Tampa? What it takes to sell it.

From the will to the closing: a Hillsborough estate, step by step

Four questions that decide how fast it goes

Tampa issues that come with inherited houses

What working with us looks like

Sources

Questions we hear a lot

What sellers say

Talk to AL — not a call center.

Other guides you might find useful

How to Sell an Inherited House in Probate

Behind on Property Taxes in Hillsborough?

We Buy Houses in Tampa