--- title: Northern Virginia Real Estate Insights | Estate Sales description: Estate Sales | Practical advice on retirement, downsizing, selling a parent’s home, and estate home sales in Northern Virginia from David Zadareky. --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales#main-content) [![David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164.svg "David-Zadareky-White-Logo-588x164")](https://davidzadareky.com) [![David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164.svg "David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164")](https://davidzadareky.com) - [Home](https://www.davidzadareky.com) - Who I Help - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) - Services - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) Search Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu - [Home](https://www.davidzadareky.com) - Who I Help - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) - Services - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/davidzadarekycompass/) [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/davidzadarekycompass/) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzadareky) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@david.zadareky.compass/featured) # Insights #### Market data and plain answers from #### David Zadareky, Associate Broker with Compass. Filter by Tag Show All Deep Dive Estate Sales Helping a Parent Market Update Preparing to Sell Retirement Rightsizing ##### Get the Weekly Market Update ### Estate Sales [![What is heirs don't agree about selling?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_heirs-dont-agree.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_heirs-dont-agree.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/what-if-the-heirs-dont-agree-about-selling) 2 min read #### [What if the heirs don't agree about selling?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/what-if-the-heirs-dont-agree-about-selling) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:10 PM In my experience, most families settle it with a buyout or an agreed sale. If they can't, any co-owner can ask the circuit court to divide the... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/what-if-the-heirs-dont-agree-about-selling) [![Will we owe tax when we sell an inherited house?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_tax-inherited-house.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_tax-inherited-house.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/will-we-owe-tax-when-we-sell-an-inherited-house) 1 min read #### [Will we owe tax when we sell an inherited house?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/will-we-owe-tax-when-we-sell-an-inherited-house) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:09 PM Usually little or none, if you sell soon after the death. Inherited property takes a new basis equal to its value on the date of death, so you're... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/will-we-owe-tax-when-we-sell-an-inherited-house) [![Do we have to go through probate to sell the house?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_probate-to-sell.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_probate-to-sell.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/do-we-have-to-go-through-probate-to-sell-the-house) 2 min read #### [Do we have to go through probate to sell the house?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/do-we-have-to-go-through-probate-to-sell-the-house) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:08 PM Not always. A house held with survivorship, in a trust, or under a transfer on death deed skips probate. If the house was in your parent's name alone... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/do-we-have-to-go-through-probate-to-sell-the-house) [![Who can sign to sell the house after a parent dies?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_who-can-sign-after-parent-dies.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_who-can-sign-after-parent-dies.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-can-sign-to-sell-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) 1 min read #### [Who can sign to sell the house after a parent dies?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-can-sign-to-sell-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:06 PM The owners sign, unless the will gives the executor a power of sale. In Virginia, the house belongs to the heirs or the people named in the will from... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-can-sign-to-sell-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) [![Who owns the house if there's no will?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_who-owns-house-no-will.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_who-owns-house-no-will.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-if-theres-no-will) 2 min read #### [Who owns the house if there's no will?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-if-theres-no-will) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:05 PM Virginia law decides. The house goes to your parent's heirs in the order Virginia law sets out, starting with a surviving spouse and children. Each... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-if-theres-no-will) [![Who owns the house after a parent dies?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_who-owns-house-after-parent-dies.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_who-owns-house-after-parent-dies.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) 2 min read #### [Who owns the house after a parent dies?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 1:13:03 PM The deed decides. How the house was titled tells you who owns it the moment a parent dies, and whether probate is involved at all. Examine the deed... [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/who-owns-the-house-after-a-parent-dies) [![Should we sell the inherited house as-is?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/post_inherited-house-as-is-1.png?width=1200&height=630&name=post_inherited-house-as-is-1.png)](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/should-we-sell-the-inherited-house-as-is) 2 min read #### [Should we sell the inherited house as-is?](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/should-we-sell-the-inherited-house-as-is) [David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/author/david-zadareky): Nov 12, 2026, 11:43:35 AM Often, but not always. Decide it with numbers: compare what the house sells for as it is with what the heirs would keep after repairs and the extra... [Preparing to Sell](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/preparing-to-sell) [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/tag/estate-sales) [Read More](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights/should-we-sell-the-inherited-house-as-is) **Who I Help** **Who I Help** - [Rightsizing](https://www.davidzadareky.com/rightsizing) - [Retirement](https://www.davidzadareky.com/retirement) - [Helping a Parent](https://www.davidzadareky.com/helping-a-parent) - [Estate Sales](https://www.davidzadareky.com/estate-sales) **Services** **Services** - [Selling and Buying](https://www.davidzadareky.com/services) - [Market Calibration](https://www.davidzadareky.com/market-calibration) - [Home Audit](https://www.davidzadareky.com/home-audit) - [On-MLS vs Off-MLS](https://www.davidzadareky.com/on-mls-vs-off-mls) **More** **More** - [Insights](https://www.davidzadareky.com/insights) - [Deep Dives](https://www.davidzadareky.com/deep-dives) - [Contact](https://www.davidzadareky.com/contact) [![David Zadareky](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hubfs/David-Zadareky-Black-Logo-588x164.svg)](https://www.davidzadareky.com) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.davidzadareky.com/privacy-policy) © 2026 David Zadareky [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/davidzadarekycompass/)[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/davidzadarekycompass/)[Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidzadareky)[YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@david.zadareky.compass/featured) ![Compass](https://www.davidzadareky.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Marketing/Compass_Logo_H_B.png?width=200&height=27&name=Compass_Logo_H_B.png)   David Zadareky | Associate Broker | 202-552-1628 | [david.zadareky@compass.com](mailto:david.zadareky@compass.com) Compass | 3001 Washington Blvd Suite 400 | Arlington VA 22201 | Office Phone: 703-266-7277 Firm License: 0226029518 | Broker License: 0225225537 Compass is a licensed real estate broker, licensed to do business as Compass in Virginia. 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