4 Hidden Costs You May Face When Inheriting Property in South Carolina

Inheriting a house in South Carolina can feel like a blessing and a burden at the same time. On top of grief and family responsibilities, you may suddenly be responsible for a property in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, or elsewhere in South Carolina—along with all the bills that come with it. Many heirs are surprised by the hidden costs of inheriting property in South Carolina, especially if they aren’t planning to live in the home long term.

If you’ve recently inherited a property in South Carolina, understanding these costs can help you decide whether to keep the house, rent it, or sell the inherited house as-is for cash. Below are four hidden expenses to watch for—and what you can do to avoid letting an inherited home drain your time, money, and energy.

1. Property Taxes and Other Inherited House Taxes

Once the inherited house is in your name, you become responsible for the ongoing property tax bill. When you inherit a house, you also inherit the obligation to keep those taxes current. The amount you’ll pay depends on where the home is located, assessed value, and any changes in tax rates. In some areas, these bills can be high enough to quickly turn a “free” house into a serious monthly expense.

In certain situations, the estate may also owe additional taxes. If there isn’t enough money in the estate to cover them, you could be dealing with:

• Property taxes due or past due on the home
• Possible estate taxes, depending on the size and structure of the estate
• Capital gains taxes if the property is sold and has increased in value
• Potential state-level inheritance-related tax considerations

As the new owner, it’s important to budget for these obligations early. If you don’t plan to keep the house long term, selling sooner—especially if the home is vacant—can help you avoid getting stuck with property tax bills you didn’t expect.

2. Utility Bills on a Vacant Inherited House

Even if no one is currently living in the home, you’ll still need to keep basic utilities active to protect the property. That usually means keeping the electricity, water, and sometimes gas on so the home doesn’t suffer damage from humidity, cold, or plumbing issues. These utility bills can add up quickly.

Paying month after month for lights, water, and other services in a house you’re not using often doesn’t make financial sense—especially if you live out of town or have no plans to move in. This is one of the reasons many people who inherit a house in South Carolina decide to sell rather than hold onto a vacant property. A faster sale can stop the cash drain and free up your time and energy.

3. Maintenance, Repairs, and General Upkeep

Homes require ongoing care, whether they’re owner-occupied, tenant-occupied, or sitting empty. If the inherited property has a lawn, landscaping, a pool, or trees, those all need regular maintenance. You may also have to deal with cleaning, trash removal, pest control, and organizing belongings left behind.

If the inherited house hasn’t been well-maintained, you might be looking at bigger expenses to bring it up to code or make it safe and livable. That could mean roof repairs, HVAC replacement, plumbing or electrical updates, or structural issues that must be addressed before selling traditionally.

Even if the house is in decent shape today, you’ll still want to budget for ongoing expenses like:

• Lawn care and landscaping
• Seasonal upkeep like gutter cleaning or snow removal (where applicable)
• General cleaning and minor repairs
• Security measures for a vacant home

For many heirs, these costs are a big reason they decide to sell an inherited house in South Carolina as-is instead of pouring more money into a property they don’t plan to keep.

4. Mediation, Legal, and Family Dispute Costs

Sadly, when a loved one passes away, family conflicts sometimes surface—especially if multiple siblings or relatives all have a stake in the estate. If you can’t agree on what to do with the inherited property, you may end up paying for mediation, attorneys, or even court involvement to resolve disputes.

One way to reduce these risks and costs is for everyone to agree on a buyout or a quick sale of the inherited house, then divide the proceeds fairly. A direct cash sale can simplify the process and help avoid months of tension, legal bills, and stress for everyone involved.

At Table Rock Homebuyers, we can often purchase an inherited house in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and surrounding areas in just a few weeks, which has helped many families avoid expensive mediation or lengthy disputes over what to do with the property.

Selling Your Inherited House to Avoid Ongoing Expenses

If you decide to sell the inherited house, it’s important to understand the costs that come with a traditional listing. These can include:

• Real estate agent commissions
• Closing costs and fees
• Repairs, upgrades, or staging to make the home “market ready”
• Carrying costs like taxes, insurance, and utilities while you wait for a buyer

Those expenses can pile up, especially if the house needs work or sits on the market for months. For many heirs, a faster, simpler option is a direct sale to a local cash buyer who will purchase the property in its current condition.

How Table Rock Homebuyers Can Help With an Inherited Property

If you have questions or concerns about inheriting a property in South Carolina, Table Rock Homebuyers is here to help. We understand this can be a difficult season, and we approach every situation with compassion, honesty, and zero pressure.

We specialize in helping people with unwanted inherited houses in the Upstate and Midlands of South Carolina, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, and surrounding communities. By selling directly to us, you can quickly liquidate the property, avoid repairs and agent fees, and stop carrying ongoing expenses like taxes, utilities, and maintenance.

If you’d like to review your options, we’d be happy to talk through them with you. You can share some basic information about your inherited house or call Table Rock Homebuyers at 864-272-5400 to request a no-obligation cash offer.