"In 2025, inherited homes made up a record 7% of all U.S. property transfers, totaling 340,000 properties, according to data analytics firm Cotality. This is up from 5.5% in 2023, 4% in 2021, and 4.2% in 2019."
"Massachusetts does not have an inheritance tax, meaning people who receive a home generally don't pay taxes just for inheriting it. However, Massachusetts does impose an estate tax on the value of a decedent's estate before they're distributed."
"Some families choose to transfer property while they're still alive. Massachusetts also does not have a state gift tax, allowing homeowners to give away property or other assets to reduce the size of their estate."
"Inherited or gifted homes can offer rare stability in an increasingly challenging housing market, but they can also come with financial, legal, and emotional complexities."
In the U.S., a significant increase in home transfers through inheritance is observed, with 7% of property transfers in 2025 attributed to this trend. High housing prices and mortgage rates have made homeownership difficult, particularly in Massachusetts. The state’s lack of an inheritance tax facilitates this process, although estates over $2 million may incur estate taxes. Families may also transfer property while alive, benefiting from the absence of a state gift tax. Inherited homes provide stability but can introduce financial and legal complexities.
Read at Boston.com
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