Real Estate from an Inheritance
Your added value
Your certified inheritance expert for property valuation
Anyone who inherits a property is often faced with complex decisions. As certified inheritance experts, we ensure that you receive the best possible legal and professional support at every stage of the process. Correct valuation is key – whether it’s a sale, division within a community of heirs, or calculation of inheritance tax. With our expertise, we guarantee transparency, security and fair values.
- Save on taxes: A value that is set too high can cause unnecessarily high inheritance taxes.
- Avoid disputes: An independent valuation creates clarity in communities of heirs.
- Make the right decisions: Whether selling, renting or using it yourself: The decision is easier with a precise market value assessment.
Valuation methods for inherited properties
Our approach
We use the procedures recognised in Germany - transparent, comprehensible and in accordance with legal requirements.
Legal basis
The valuation of inherited properties is based on the Valuation Act (BewG) and the Inheritance Tax and Gift Tax Act (ErbStG). The relevant key date is generally the date of death of the testator (§§ 9, 11 ErbStG).
Factors influencing the property value
- Location & infrastructure – local transport, shopping facilities, surroundings
- Condition of the property – renovations, need for renovation
- Legal restrictions – building encumbrances, listed building status
- Market demand – supply and demand in the region
We support you in these matters
Topics
Inheritance within a family
Clarification of the market value for fair distribution
Communities of heirs
Mediation in the event of differing ideas (e.g. sale vs. own use)
Inheritance with legal burdens
e.g. residential rights, usufruct, listed building status
Inheritance abroad with properties in Germany
Organisation and handling from afar
Your advantage with Maile Immobilien
As a local and certified inheritance expert in Stuttgart, we not only know the valuation methods, but also the tax and legal peculiarities.
Detailed valuation
- Application of the appropriate valuation method (comparative, income or real asset value method)
- Consideration of all value-relevant factors on the key date
Individual solution strategies
- Clarification of whether sale, rental or own use is the best option
- Development of concepts for communities of heirs
Complete sales processing
- Professional marketing and exposé creation
- Support from valuation to the notary appointment and beyond
Get in touch and benefit from our experience
Have you inherited a property?
Possibly together with other people, and would like to know what happens next? Then you have come to the right place.
As an experienced partner for all questions relating to property in southern Germany, we are at your side in what are often difficult times.
How high is the inheritance tax? What are my rights and obligations in the community of heirs? Which laws and deadlines must be observed and do I need a certificate of inheritance?
As such an inheritance is rarely an everyday occurrence, heirs often have many questions.
What do I have to do if I have inherited a house?
It is possible that the deceased left a will stipulating the further procedure. However, only you can ultimately decide what to do with a house that you have inherited. If you are part of a community of heirs, you must agree with the other parties involved on what to do with the property. Personal use, sale or rental are all conceivable.
Do you want to accept the inheritance or would you prefer to reject it?
However, you should first ask yourself whether you want to accept the inheritance at all. If the property is over-indebted or you cannot afford the financial expense that a house entails, you should consider disclaiming the inheritance.
An important factor to consider is whether inheritance tax is payable or not. The amount depends on your degree of relationship to the deceased and the value of the property. Depending on this, you have the option of claiming certain allowances.
In order to disclaim the inheritance, you must submit a declaration to the probate court stating that you do not wish to accept the inheritance. Please note: If you do not do this and the period of six weeks after you learned of the inheritance expires, this will be assessed as acceptance of the inheritance!
Details such as the legal succession and contact with the tax office must also be observed.
If you want to live in the house yourself
In this case, you must first accept the inheritance. If you are part of a community of heirs, you must then pay off the co-heirs. Before you decide to do so, you should be sure that the property fits your life situation and that you want to and can bear the moving costs, as well as any renovation and maintenance costs.
Rental of real estate
You do not want to sell the house or apartment, but personal use is out of the question for various emotional, location-related or size-related reasons? Then renting out the property may be the right choice. Possible renovation costs and, in the long term and depending on the location, a possible reduction in the value of the property must also be taken into account here. You also act as a landlord within the framework of tenancy law and must be aware of the legal and financial risks of renting. Furthermore, not every property is suitable as a rental property. In particular, significant returns are rarely generated with single-family homes.
Final: The sale of the property
It is often better to sell the inherited property. There are many reasons for this. Disputes can be avoided, especially if there are several heirs. This allows the proceeds to be divided fairly among everyone.
In order to avoid any accusations of enrichment during the sales process, it is advisable to consult a specialised estate agent and have the market value of the property determined professionally by an expert (please not by an online portal). It also makes absolute sense to bring in an estate agent with local networks and expertise in the course of marketing. Also, to have a neutral mediator between the parties if necessary.
The last solution in the event of disagreement – division by auction
If no agreement can be reached in a community of heirs on how to proceed with the inherited property, the last option is division by auction. One of the heirs can auction off their entire share of the inheritance, which the others can then bid on.
The heir who is aiming for immediate use of the property is generally given priority. This allows a poorly divisible heirloom to be quickly converted into liquid assets in order to enable a fair division.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions and we will advise you comprehensively. Of course, we also work with specialist lawyers for inheritance law. We can also offer you added value in the course of clearances, renovations, etc.
Do you need further advice or information about an inherited property? Then get a non-binding consultation.
Frequently asked questions
FAQs
Do all heirs have to agree to the sale of a property?
Yes, in a community of heirs, real estate can only be sold if all co-heirs agree. We provide mediation support to avoid blockades and achieve a fair solution.
What happens if the community of heirs does not reach an agreement?
If no agreement is reached, a partition auction can be applied for – usually with financial disadvantages. We help to resolve conflicts at an early stage so that a sale or other solution is possible without going to court.
Can a co-heir take over the property alone?
Yes, one heir can take over the shares of the other (payout). The basis for this is a neutral property valuation. We accompany this process so that all parties involved are treated fairly.