Selling the house after a death. With calm and care.
A lot comes your way when someone passes away. We calmly take the sale of the house off your hands, and make sure every heir knows where they stand.
Saying goodbye, and then there is the house.
After a death there is a lot to arrange, while what you really need is time to grieve. This is what we often hear from heirs.
"We all live in different places."
Brothers, sisters or cousins in another city or even another country, sometimes in another time zone. Still, everyone needs to stay informed.
"The house is still full."
Clearing it out hurts, because every item has a story. There should be time for that.
"Who is actually allowed to sign?"
The executor, a certificate of inheritance, all heirs together? We explain how it works.
"Nothing has been done to it in years."
Many parental homes are dated. With the right sales approach, a home like that still sells well.
Calm, clear and for all heirs.
Micha, Erik or Lisa is your dedicated agent, from the first conversation to the key handover. This is how we work.
- Everyone kept informedCommunication matters most, especially between the heirs. Everyone gets the same information, wherever they live and whatever their time zone.
- Time to clear the houseIf the house still needs to be emptied, we take the time for that. It brings up a lot of emotion, and that is fine. We only plan the sale once you are ready.
- The rules explainedWhat does an executor do, what is a certificate of inheritance, and who needs to sign? We explain it clearly, so you know what is expected of you.
- The right sales approachYou sell a dated home differently from one that is ready to move into. We show buyers what is possible, such as renovating or extending, and reach exactly the buyers who are looking for that.
- We do the workPhotos, funda, viewings, negotiating and the notary. You do not have to keep coming to the house.
What you want to know when selling an inherited home.
A few things often only become clear late in the process, while they make a big difference.
The certificate of inheritance
In this document the civil-law notary records who the heirs are and who may settle the estate. You need this certificate to be able to sell and transfer the home.
Who signs?
If the will names an executor, that person handles much of the estate. Whether they may also sell the home on their own depends on the will. Often all heirs have to decide and sign together.
Accepting unconditionally or on a benefit-of-inventory basis
As an heir, you choose whether to accept the inheritance unconditionally (zuiver aanvaarden) or on a benefit-of-inventory basis (beneficiair aanvaarden), or to reject it. Please note: taking or selling belongings can already count as accepting unconditionally. If you are unsure whether there are debts, talk to the notary first before you clear the house.
Inheritance tax
For inheritance tax, the WOZ value of the home counts, not the sale price. For a death in 2026 you have 20 months to file the return. The notary or a tax adviser can help you with this.
If the house is empty
Let the insurer know that the house is empty. And keep in mind that fixed costs, such as the mortgage, the owners' association (VvE) and energy, continue until the sale.
Dated, and still in demand
In Amsterdam, a home with renovation potential is exactly what many buyers find interesting. You do not need to fix it up first: it is often smarter to show its possibilities well.
This is general information. Always have your own situation checked by the notary. We are happy to put you in touch with a notary.
A parental home in Buitenveldert, full of possibilities.
We recently sold a home in Buitenveldert. The resident had passed away and the home had been standing still for a while. The heirs had cleared the house themselves, and then asked us to handle the sale.
Nothing had been done to the home for a long time. But it had a lot of potential, to renovate and even to build an extra floor on top. That is exactly what we showed, and it appealed to a large group of buyers.
Many people came to view it, and the home sold for a good price. That is how a house that has not been touched in years still sells well.
A dedicated team, and the choice is yours.
Alongside your agent, we work with people we know and trust.
- NotaryNo fixed notary: you choose, and we help you make that choice. The notary also takes care of the certificate of inheritance.
- Clearing and emptying the houseDo you need help clearing the house? Then we are happy to think along about who can help you with that.
- AppraiserDoes one of the heirs want to take over the home, or is an appraisal needed to divide the estate? Then we help you choose an independent appraiser.
- MortgageDoes one of you want to keep the house? A mortgage adviser from our network is happy to work out the financing for you.
We can help with everything. But the choice is always yours.
The same honest price, now too.
A 1% fee on the sale price, including VAT. No start-up costs, and you only pay once the home is sold. The first conversation and the market valuation are free and without obligation.
Only the funda package is something you choose and pay for yourselves, directly to funda.
Frequently asked questions about selling a home after a death
When can we sell the house after a death?
As soon as it is clear who the heirs are and who may sign. That usually requires a certificate of inheritance from the notary. You can talk to us earlier to make a plan, at your own pace.
Do all heirs have to sign?
Often, yes. Whether the executor may sell the home on their own depends on what the will says. The notary can check that for you.
Not all heirs live in the Netherlands. Is that a problem?
No. We keep all heirs informed, also in other countries and time zones. Anyone who cannot come to the notary can sign with a power of attorney.
Do we need to clear out or fix up the house first?
Handing over the house empty is usually necessary, but we take the time for that. Fixing it up is often not needed: a dated home with possibilities is exactly what many buyers find interesting.
Can we already take belongings from the house?
Be careful with that. Taking or selling belongings can count as accepting the inheritance unconditionally, and then you are also liable for any debts. If in doubt, talk to the notary first.
Which value counts for inheritance tax?
The WOZ value of the home, not the sale price. For a death in 2026 you have 20 months to file the return. A notary or tax adviser can help you with this.
What does it cost?
A 1% fee on the sale price, including VAT, and you only pay once the home is sold. The first conversation and the market valuation are free. You pay for the funda package yourselves, directly to funda.
These pages may help too.
After a death, often more changes than just the house.
Tell us about the situation.
The first conversation is free and without obligation. At our office on the Singel, at the house itself or by video call, so heirs who live far away can join in too. Afterwards you know what the house is worth and what the next step is.
Book a conversation about the sale
Or call +31 20 845 5878 · WhatsApp us
Singel 374, 1016 AH Amsterdam
