My Siblings and I Inherited Our Family Home — Now What?

Inheriting a home with siblings can feel like stepping into a role you didn’t audition for: full of emotions, expectations, and unfamiliar decisions. Suddenly, you’re balancing family relationships with financial realities, all while trying to figure out what to actually do with the house. In a place like Pacific Palisades, where every home holds both value and meaning, getting it right takes more than just good intentions.

Whether you're just starting the conversation or feeling stuck in the middle of it, here's what to expect and how to move forward when inheriting a family home.

Before any decisions can be made, it's important to get clear on the legal and financial structure of the inheritance. Was the property passed through a trust, or is it in probate? Are you and your siblings equal co-owners, or does someone have executor or trustee responsibilities?

These questions might seem technical, but they have real implications. For example, if the property is in a trust, it may be possible to sell or transfer it quickly. If it’s tied up in probate, you’ll need court approval before moving forward. And if one sibling has been living in the house, or another has power of attorney, that adds another layer to navigate.

In high-value areas like Pacific Palisades, small legal missteps can lead to big complications. Working with Margaux Glaser, who understands trust and probate sales, can help ensure everything is handled correctly from the start.

The next big step? Alignment.

Inheriting a family home often means multiple siblings have a say, and it’s rare for everyone to have the same vision. One person may want to sell quickly and move on, while another feels deeply attached to the house and is hesitant to let go. Some may see investment potential, others may just want peace of mind.

These conversations can get emotional fast. The key is to create a shared understanding of your goals. Are you looking to sell, keep the home, rent it out, or have one sibling buy the others out? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but having a real estate advisor as a neutral third party can help ease tension and bring clarity to what might otherwise be a difficult discussion.

Selling an inherited home isn’t always as simple as putting it on the market. In many cases, the property hasn’t been updated in years, and while that can add charm, it can also limit appeal for today’s buyers.

The first challenge is often clearing out the home. Decades of furniture, personal items, and family keepsakes can’t be sorted in a weekend. This process can be emotionally exhausting, especially if siblings have different ideas about what should stay, what should go, or how the home should be presented.

That’s where working with Margaux can make a huge difference. Her eye for what matters most to local buyers can help you prioritize updates, avoid unnecessary costs, and recommend home staging tips that highlight the property’s best features without erasing its history.

Sometimes, it’s as simple as repainting a few rooms, removing bulky furniture, or improving the lighting. Other times, partial staging or virtual staging might be the right fit. The goal isn’t to renovate the home; it’s to tell a story that buyers can connect with.

Aside from emotional and legal considerations, there are real financial implications that come with inheriting a family home. One of the biggest is the step-up in basis, which means the home’s value resets to the market value at the time of inheritance. If you decide to sell shortly after, this can significantly reduce the capital gains tax.

But if one sibling wants to keep the home, you’ll likely need a formal appraisal and a plan for how they’ll finance a buyout of the others. And if you're considering renting the home out, you’ll need to agree on who manages it, how income is divided, and what happens when repairs are needed.

These aren’t small decisions, but they’re much easier to navigate with the right guidance. Margaux’s experience with inherited properties means she can connect you with estate attorneys, financial advisors, and tax professionals who can help you make informed choices, not rushed ones.

It's easy for inherited home decisions to stall, and many do. Between emotional hesitations, logistical complexities, and family schedules, it’s not uncommon for a property to sit vacant for months or even years.

But in a high-demand market like Pacific Palisades, that delay can be costly. Property maintenance adds up. Deferred decisions can turn into disagreements. And the longer a home sits, the harder it can be to get momentum back.

Having a plan, clear next steps, and a trusted advisor in your corner is the best way to keep things moving. Even small steps, like getting a valuation or scheduling a walk-through, can build confidence and clarity within your family.

There’s no script for handling an inheritance, and every family handles it differently. But what doesn’t change is the need for expertise, empathy, and professionalism.

Margaux Glaser brings all three to the table. As a trusted real estate agent serving Pacific Palisades and the greater Westside, Margaux specializes in helping families navigate sensitive transitions with care and clarity. Her background in high-level marketing and complex real estate transactions means you’ll benefit from thoughtful strategy and strong industry connections, but what clients appreciate most is her ability to bring calm to complicated moments.

She’s worked with families, attorneys, investors, and executors alike, and always leads with integrity and a deep understanding of how emotional and meaningful these situations are.

Inheriting a family home doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Whether you’re still having conversations with siblings or ready to prepare the property for sale, Margaux Glaser can help guide you through each stage with confidence and care.

To learn more or schedule a personalized consultation, contact Margaux Glaser today and discover how she can help your family move forward with clarity and peace of mind.