Houses one family held for a generation

Carol City, Norland, and Scott Lake were built up mostly from the 1950s through the 1970s, and many of their concrete block homes were bought by families who never left. Miami Gardens only became a city in 2003, but plenty of its houses have had the same owner for 40 years or more.

Long ownership shows in the house: original bathrooms, jalousie windows, a tired roof, an electrical panel from another era. None of it has to be fixed before you sell to us.

When the deed still shows a parent's or grandparent's name

With a family house, the paperwork can be a bigger obstacle than the repairs. A house may still be titled to someone who died years ago, or to a couple where one spouse passed and nobody recorded the change. Sometimes several relatives share a claim, and one of them lives out of state.

  • Estates are usually settled through probate in Miami-Dade's 11th Judicial Circuit, and the personal representative signs once the court allows the sale.
  • If the owner died more than two years ago, or the estate is small, a shorter summary administration may be available. A Florida probate attorney can tell you which applies.
  • If the home was the owner's homestead and a spouse or minor child survived, Florida law limits who inherits it, which changes who has to sign.
  • You don't need the paperwork finished to ask for an offer. A contract with us can wait for the court.

Two costs heirs don't see coming

Property taxes. A parent's homestead exemption and Save Our Homes cap don't pass to the children who inherit. After the change in ownership, the house is reassessed at market value, and the next tax bill can be far higher than the one your parent paid. Holding an empty house for a year or two adds up quickly.

Reverse mortgages. If your parent had one, the loan generally comes due after the last borrower dies, and the servicer will set a deadline to sell, pay off, or hand over the house. Get those dates in writing, and consider a call to a HUD-approved housing counselor.

Empty houses draw code enforcement

A vacant house in Miami Gardens gets noticed. Overgrown grass, a tarp on the roof, a broken window, or a green pool can bring a city code case, and fines that go unpaid can be recorded as liens against the property. We buy vacant homes with open cases and build the balance into our numbers, so it's paid off from the sale at closing.

Selling when the family is spread out

Not every heir has to be in South Florida to sign. The title company can often send a mobile notary or arrange a remote signing for relatives in other states. Take the photos, papers, and keepsakes that matter, leave the rest of the furniture, and pick a closing date that works for everyone.

Frequently asked questions

Can you buy a Miami Gardens house before probate is finished?

Yes. We can sign a contract now and close once the court gives the personal representative authority to sell. We plan the timeline around the case.

My mother had a reverse mortgage on her Miami Gardens home. Can we still sell it?

Yes, as long as the sale closes before the servicer's deadline. The loan is paid from the proceeds at closing, and any remaining equity goes to the estate.

Do you buy in Carol City, Norland, and Scott Lake?

Yes. We buy throughout Miami Gardens, from the older blocks in those neighborhoods to the streets around Hard Rock Stadium.

Do I have to clean out my parent's house before selling?

No. Keep what you want and leave everything else behind.