When someone passes away and leaves behind a house in Orlando, the property doesn’t just “transfer.”
It enters a holding pattern.
And that holding pattern costs money.
Month 1: The Emotional Fog
Most families focus on funeral arrangements and paperwork.
Meanwhile:
- Property taxes are still accruing.
- Insurance must stay active (vacant home policies cost more).
- Utilities may still be running.
- The lawn still needs maintenance.
In areas like 32806 (Conway) or 32808 (Pine Hills), vacant homes stand out quickly.
Month 2–4: Reality Sets In
Now the questions start:
- Does it need probate?
- Who actually has authority to sell?
- Is there a mortgage?
- Are there unpaid taxes?
- Does the roof qualify for insurance?
Here’s something specific to Orlando:
Many homes built between 1965–1985 still have cast iron plumbing.
If that hasn’t been replaced, buyers using financing will likely require it to be scoped or replaced.
That’s a $10k–$25k conversation.
The Insurance Problem Most Heirs Miss
Florida insurance carriers are increasingly strict on:
- Roof age (15+ years becomes an issue)
- Electrical panels (Federal Pacific, Zinsco)
- Plumbing type
- HVAC age
An inherited home with an older roof in Orlando may not qualify for standard buyer financing — which narrows your resale pool dramatically.
That’s not emotional. That’s underwriting.
The Financial Math No One Runs
Let’s say the home:
- Needs $40,000 in updates
- Sits for 6 months during probate
- Accrues $5,000 in holding costs
- Requires a roof for $15,000
Now your “retail value” isn’t what Zillow suggested.
It’s retail minus:
- Repairs
- Time
- Risk
- Realtor commissions
- Buyer inspection negotiations
Sometimes renovating makes sense.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
The key is running the math, not the memory.
When Selling As-Is Is a Strategic Decision — Not a Desperate One
Selling as-is in Orlando isn’t about being taken advantage of.
It’s about deciding whether:
- You want to become a project manager
- You want to float holding costs
- You want to manage contractors
- You want to risk insurance issues
Many heirs simply want resolution.
And resolution has value.
If you’d like to look at real numbers — repair-adjusted value vs. as-is value — I’m happy to walk through it with you.