Inheriting land in Virginia can feel like both an opportunity and a responsibility. Whether the property has been in your family for decades or you recently inherited it through probate, you may be wondering what to do with it — keep it, build on it, or sell it.
If selling is the best option, you’ll want to understand the process, the tax considerations, and the fastest way to turn the land into cash without dealing with long delays or complicated legal issues.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about selling inherited land in Virginia, especially in the Lynchburg, Bedford, Campbell, Amherst, and surrounding areas.
Step 1: Understand the Current Ownership Status
Before you can sell inherited land, you need to know exactly who owns the property right now. This depends on how you inherited it.
Common scenarios include:
1. The property is in your name
If the deed has already been transferred to you, you can sell immediately.
2. The property is still in an estate
If a will is in probate, the executor may need to sell the property on behalf of the estate.
3. Multiple heirs own the land
If siblings or relatives share ownership, all owners must agree to sell.
4. The property is held in a trust
The trustee may have authority to sell, depending on the trust terms.
5. There is no will (intestate inheritance)
Virginia law will determine who inherits the land — sometimes this results in multiple heirs.
If you’re unsure of the property’s title status, a local title company or attorney can help you confirm who legally has the authority to sell.
Step 2: Gather Key Documents
To sell inherited land smoothly and quickly, gather the following:
- Copy of the deed
- Any surveys
- Tax map number
- Will or trust documents (if applicable)
- Contact info for all heirs
- Property tax records
- Estate paperwork (if still in probate)
Having these documents ready prevents delays and keeps the process moving.
Step 3: Consider the Tax Implications
One major benefit of selling inherited land is the step-up in basis rule.
Step-Up in Basis
This rule adjusts the property’s taxable value to its fair market value at the date of the deceased owner’s death.
Example:
If your parents bought the land for $20,000 in 1990 and it was worth $120,000 when you inherited it, your “basis” becomes $120,000 — not $20,000.
If you sell for $130,000, you only owe capital gains tax on the $10,000 increase.
This dramatically reduces or eliminates taxes for many land sellers.
Other tax considerations:
- Capital gains taxes (if any)
- Potential inheritance-related expenses
- If the land sells for less than the stepped-up basis, you may owe no taxes at all
A tax professional can help you understand your exact situation.
Step 4: Evaluate the Land’s Market Value
To price inherited land correctly, consider:
- Location
- Road frontage
- Acreage
- Zoning
- Access or easements
- Timber value
- Potential for building
- Soil quality (perk test history)
- Floodplain or slope issues
- Utility availability
Land value varies widely in Virginia, and an accurate evaluation helps you sell faster.
Step 5: Decide How You Want to Sell the Land
There are three primary ways to sell inherited land in Virginia:
Option 1: List With a Real Estate Agent
Best for ready-to-build lots with clear access, utilities, and a perk test.
Drawbacks:
- Can take months or years
- Buyers often want surveys, soil tests, and improvements
- Commissions and closing costs apply
Option 2: Sell the Land Yourself (FSBO)
Good if you already have an interested buyer.
Drawbacks:
- You handle all marketing and paperwork
- Harder to find land buyers without the MLS
- Can be slower than expected
Option 3: Sell Directly to a Land Buyer or Investor
Fastest, simplest option.
Ideal if the land:
- Needs a survey
- Lacks access
- Has no perk test
- Is inherited with multiple heirs
- Is wooded or landlocked
- Has title issues
- Has been sitting unused for years
Investors buy land as-is, with no repairs, tests, or improvements required.
Step 6: Make the Process Easy for the Buyer
If you want to sell quickly, the key is simplicity.
Land sales can drag on when sellers don’t provide needed info or when title issues pop up.
To speed things up:
- Provide any documents you have
- Resolve basic title issues early
- Be responsive with communication
- Use a reputable local title company
- Set a fair, market-driven price
Step 7: Consider Selling for Cash for a Fast, As-Is Sale
Selling inherited land as-is for cash is often the fastest and most dependable route.
At Hill City Homebuyers, we buy:
- Inherited land
- Vacant lots
- Rural acreage
- Subdivision lots
- Wooded parcels
- Landlocked parcels
- Land with access issues
- Properties with no perk test
- Land requiring survey work
We handle:
- All closing costs
- Title company coordination
- Probate-related challenges
- Quick closings
- Cash offers with no contingencies
This allows you to skip the hassle and turn your inherited property into cash quickly.
Areas We Buy Land In
We purchase land throughout:
- Lynchburg
- Bedford County
- Campbell County
- Amherst County
- Appomattox
- Nelson County
- Pittsylvania County
- Forest
- Rustburg
- Madison Heights
- Altavista
And all surrounding areas.
Final Thoughts
Selling inherited land in Virginia doesn’t have to be complicated.
Whether the property is simple, rural, wooded, or part of a complex estate, you have multiple options.
The fastest way to sell is almost always a direct as-is cash sale, especially when there are:
- Multiple heirs
- Title complications
- No perk tests
- No road access
- Delinquent taxes
- Estate deadlines
- Out-of-state owners
If you’d like a no-pressure cash offer for your inherited land, Hill City Homebuyers is here to help.