Rural Research Reports
Shawn Poynter / There Is More Work To Be Done
Shawn Poynter / There Is More Work To Be Done
A Methodological Approach to Estimate Residential Heirs’ Property in the United States
The Housing Assistance Council (HAC), in partnership with Fannie Mae, developed a methodology to estimate the prevalence of heirs’ properties in two categories, most likely heirs’ properties and properties that are at risk of currently being or soon becoming heirs’ properties throughout the United States. Slightly over 500,000 properties were identified as potential heirs’ properties with nearly two thirds (64.6%) located in rural areas. Despite challenges including the lack of uniformity of tax assessment data collection and reporting, the conservative estimated assessed value of identified heirs’ properties is $32.3 billion in 44 states and the District of Columbia.
