Bayside Tiger said:
I've been inundated with letters from buyers saying they want it for cash, quick closings, no closing costs, etc. Are these just scams?
Bayside,
First, I'm sorry you lost your mother.
I just went through this myself with my dad, and received several dozens of 'offers' on my parents' home, which happens to be in a 'hot' area right now.
Unfortunately for them, only my father had died and mom is still very much alive and wanting to stay in her house.
If those offers (none of which contained firm #s) were comparable to the unsolicited offers I regularly get on some vacant parcels I own, they are not very competitive, at all.
Money wise, you'd be better offer listing it if you don't want to be bothered doing a FSBO, in my opinion.
So, I'd stay away from the mail-order offers, unless the place is a total wreck or worse. {I have no idea of your situation - please don't take offense, as I'm just trying to cover all the bases.}
Since you've been appointed Independent Executor (assuming Texas), you almost always have the power to dispose of the assets of the estate (unless prohibited by the will), so that shouldn't be a problem either.
I agree with SteveBott in that a good title company can do this work for you. Remember though, in Texas, an Executor is only to give a Special Warranty Deed, not a General Warranty Deed. The title company is going to insure title anyway, so that won't be an issue.
The attorney for the title company should know to prepare a Special Warranty Deed, but it never hurts to remind people of things that they should already know.