Selling an inherited house in St. Petersburg

A city of very different houses

An inherited house in St. Pete can mean almost anything. It might be a 1920s bungalow in Historic Kenwood or the Old Northeast, a concrete block ranch from the 1950s in one of the post-war neighborhoods spread across the middle of the city, or a waterfront home on Snell Isle or in Shore Acres.

Each brings its own questions. Older bungalows often have original wiring, plumbing, and roofs that need attention. Post-war block homes are sturdy but frequently have decades of deferred updates. Waterfront homes bring flood zone rules into the picture. We buy all three kinds, and we walk families through what each one means for a sale.

Flooding, Helene, and the 50% rule

Hurricane Helene's storm surge in September 2024 pushed water into thousands of St. Petersburg homes. Shore Acres, Snell Isle, and other low-lying neighborhoods near the bay were hit especially hard, and Milton followed two weeks later.

If an inherited house sits in a flood zone and took on water, the city applies the FEMA substantial damage rule. When repairs would cost 50% or more of the structure's value, the house has to be brought up to current flood standards, which often means elevating it or rebuilding. Many heirs learn this only after they start getting repair quotes. We buy flood-damaged houses as they are, so the family does not have to sort out permits, elevation plans, or contractors. Our guide on inherited houses with hurricane damage goes into more detail.

Vacant houses and city code enforcement

A house can sit empty for months while a family decides what to do. In St. Petersburg, an empty house with an overgrown yard, a damaged roof, or boarded windows can draw notices from the city's codes compliance staff, and unpaid fines can become liens on the property.

Those liens do not have to stop a sale. Code fines, back taxes, and any mortgage are paid from the sale proceeds at closing. The heirs do not bring money to the table.

The zombie house on Tampa Bay 28

In May 2024, Tampa Bay 28 reporter Michael Paluska featured a long-abandoned "zombie house" in St. Pete that we bought. In January 2026 the station returned to show the finished renovation. It is a fair picture of what we do. A house that had become a problem for the neighbors and the family was resolved, repaired, and lived in again.

Not every inherited house is in that shape. Some are tidy homes that just need a new owner. Either way, the approach is the same: one walkthrough, an honest offer, and no pressure.

How it works for a St. Pete house

1. Call or text Alex at (727) 353-6206. He answers personally and will ask about the house and the family.
2. One walkthrough. A relative, a neighbor, or a lockbox is fine if you live out of town.
3. A written cash offer. If listing with an agent would clearly net you more and you have time, we will say so.
4. Probate, paid by us. An independent licensed Florida probate attorney represents the estate. Many St. Pete estates qualify for summary administration, and in those cases the probate is often finished within 24 to 48 hours of the heirs signing. Formal administration or a will that must be proven takes longer.
5. Closing usually follows about a week later at a licensed Florida title company.

We are a real estate investment company, not a law firm, and nothing here is legal advice. Pinellas Probate Home Buyers is the probate division of 131 Cash Home Buyers, founded in St. Petersburg in 2018.

We’re a home-buying company, not attorneys. This page is general information about Florida probate, not legal advice; an independent licensed Florida probate attorney represents the estate in every probate we pay for. Last updated November 2026.