Is an inherited home considered investment property?

Asked by: Meggie Macejkovic  |  Last update: February 12, 2026
Score: 4.7/5 (58 votes)

In this instance, if the home appreciates (rises in value) between when you inherited it and when you sell, you will be subject to capital gains tax on the difference. This is because the inherited home is now considered an investment property, even if you haven't sought to be a real estate investor.

What happens when you inherit a house from your parents?

Unless your parents put their estate in trust, their assets will go into probate. Even if you have lived there all your life, it will go to probate. If you are the only child then it will all likely go to go. If there are siblings, you may have to sell the house to divide the estate.

How do I avoid capital gains tax on an inherited house?

How to Avoid Paying Capital Gains Tax on Inheritance
  1. Sell the inherited property quickly. ...
  2. Make the inherited property your primary residence. ...
  3. Rent the inherited property. ...
  4. Disclaim the inherited property. ...
  5. Deduct selling expenses from capital gains.

What is considered as investment property?

An investment property is real estate property purchased with the intention of earning a return on the investment either through rental income, the future resale of the property, or both.

What are the disadvantages of inheriting a house?

Six Hidden Costs When You Inherit Real Estate
  • Estate Taxes. Federal estate tax applies when an estate's value, including real estate, exceeds a certain threshold, which you can find on the IRS website. ...
  • Appraisals. ...
  • Maintenance. ...
  • Utilities. ...
  • Property Taxes. ...
  • Capital Gains.

Should I Use an Inherited House as a Rental?

16 related questions found

Does inheriting a house count as income?

If you received a gift or inheritance, do not include it in your income. However, if the gift or inheritance later produces income, you will need to pay tax on that income.

Is it better to keep or sell an inherited house?

It depends on your personal circumstances. If you want to live in the home or use it as a rental property, keeping it obviously makes sense. If you don't want to do either — or if it needs significant work that you don't want to commit to — selling it will make more sense.

Is a home an investment property?

The definition of an "investment property" is a property that's not your primary residence, and is purchased or used to generate income, profit from appreciation, or take advantage of certain tax benefits.

What is the 2% rule for investment property?

The 2% rule says an investment property's monthly rent should equal at least 2% of the purchase price. According to the 2% rule, your monthly mortgage payment shouldn't exceed $3,000, and you should charge $3,000 in monthly rent. The 2% rule is more extreme than the 1% rule – basically doubling the monthly rent amount.

What does the IRS consider an investment property?

The IRS generally looks at rental property as an investment.

For example, if you have a rental property that you rent out only certain times of the year and it is not occupied the rest of the time and it does not require a lot of time and effort on your part, the IRS would consider that rental property an investment.

Do I have to report the sale of an inherited home to the IRS?

Report the sale on Schedule D (Form 1040), Capital Gains and Losses and on Form 8949, Sales and Other Dispositions of Capital Assets: If you sell the property for more than your basis, you have a taxable gain.

What happens when you inherit a house that is paid off?

If you are inheriting a house that is paid off, in most cases, you will still need to go through probate. Some states may allow you to bypass probate if a quitclaim deed was executed properly. However, it is likely that you will still need to go through probate even if you are inheriting a house with no mortgage.

Can I deduct property taxes on inherited property?

The good news is no matter if you decide to move into an inherited home or keep it as a rental, so long as you itemize your deductions, you'll be able to deduct the property taxes.

What is the first thing you do when you inherit a house?

If you inherit a house, changing the deed is one of the first things you'll want to do. It's an important step that ensures your name is on the deed and proves your legal entitlement to the property moving forward. Here's a step by step guide that breaks down this process.

Is it better to inherit a house or money from parents?

Cash is king when it comes to leaving an inheritance,” said Carbone. “It's the simplest asset to deal with in terms of a transfer.”

What can cause you to lose your inheritance?

Will disputes.
  • The will is dated and does not reflect the decedent's wishes;
  • Circumstances have changed since the will was made (i.e. a remarriage or the birth of a child);
  • The decedent expressed different wishes verbally prior to death;
  • The decedent leaves property to someone other than their spouse;

What is the 50% rule in real estate?

The 50% rule or 50 rule in real estate says that half of the gross income generated by a rental property should be allocated to operating expenses when determining profitability. The rule is designed to help investors avoid the mistake of underestimating expenses and overestimating profits.

What is the Rule of 72 property?

The Rule of 72 is an easy way to calculate how long an investment will take to double in value given a fixed annual rate of interest. Dividing 72 by the annual rate of return gives investors an estimate of how many years it will take for the initial investment to duplicate.

What is the three property rule?

The Three Property Rule is defined under IRC Section 1031, which states that an exchanger or taxpayer executing a delayed exchange has 45 calendar days from the closing date of the sale of their relinquished property to formally identify a replacement property or properties.

Is the house you live in considered an investment?

When people think of an investment, they often think of something that will either appreciate in value or generate passive income (or both). Well, if you live in your home, unless you have roommates whom you charge rent, it isn't generating passive income. So your only hope is for it to appreciate in value.

What classifies as an investment property?

An investment property is a property purchased specifically to generate profit through rental income, capital gains , or resale. As a legal concept, investment property appears in securities law and business law .

How to avoid 20% down payment on investment property?

Yes, it is possible to purchase an investment property without paying a 20% down payment. By exploring alternative financing options such as seller financing or utilizing lines of credit or home equity through cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, you can reduce or eliminate the need for a large upfront payment.

What are the benefits of inheriting a house?

Keeping the property can preserve family connections, help you navigate California's competitive market, and allow for potential property value appreciation. Additionally, you'll enjoy the tax benefits of homeownership and the comfort of staying in a familiar neighborhood.

What to do if you inherit a house with a sibling?

“It's best to formalize an operating agreement as soon as possible after an inheritance to get ahead of future conflicts while everyone is getting along," said Ringham. “Siblings will be much better off if they agree on how they'll handle usage, maintenance and future transfer options before someone's unhappy."

How do you value an inherited house?

Using tax assessment records

Start by requesting the recent tax assessment records from the county clerk's office. While assessments that haven't been adjusted in years can't help you determine the property's value, the IRS allows heirs to use the home's assessed value on the date of the owner's death for cost basis.