Brothers Face Sell-or-Keep Decision on Inherited Home as Boomers Transfer $36 Trillion
Ashton and Addison Lawrence inherited their grandmother's South Carolina property, facing financial duties and an unresolved sell, rent, or keep decision. Their situation reflects the U. S. 'great wealth transfer,' with Visa projecting baby boomers will pass $36 trillion to younger generations over 20 years, excluding the wealthiest 1%. Cerulli Associates estimates over $100 trillion by 2048. In 2025, inherited homes made up a record 8.85% of U. single-family and rural property transfers.
Earlier this summer, brothers Ashton and Addison Lawrence inherited their grandmother's property in South Carolina. They said the inheritance brought not just real estate but significant financial responsibilities, including management, decision-making, and covering taxes, insurance, maintenance, and repairs. They have not yet made a final decision on whether to sell, rent, or keep the property, but are in ongoing communication about how to proceed.
The United States is experiencing what is called the "great wealth transfer," as baby boomers and the Silent Generation pass homes and other assets to heirs upon death. An analysis released by Visa in July 2026 shows that over the next 20 years, baby boomers will transfer $36 trillion to younger generations. Consulting and market research firm Cerulli Associates estimates that by 2048, older generations will leave more than $100 trillion in assets to heirs. The difference stems largely from differing scopes: Visa covers only baby boomers and their heirs, and excludes the wealthiest 1% of the population (estimated wealth of $28 trillion); Cerulli covers all generations. Data from real estate data provider Cotality shows that in 2025, inherited properties accounted for 8.85% of all U. S. single-family and rural property transfers, a record.
Real estate is often the largest asset in an estate and carries the heaviest emotional weight. Lazetta Rainey Braxton, a certified financial planner, mentioned that after her grandparents passed away, her father and three siblings inherited the family home. Her father wanted to buy out the other siblings' shares, but the family could not reach an agreement in time, and the house was eventually demolished.
Federal tax law stipulates that when a homeowner dies, the tax basis of the inherited property is reset to its fair market value on the date of death. Appreciation after that date is subject to capital gains tax. Families who sell close to fair market value can minimize capital gains tax.
Financial advisors say there is no one-size-fits-all answer for whether siblings should sell, rent, or keep an inherited property. Transferring ownership of the property into a trust with proper preparation and documented deeds is also a key step. Wayne Hasse, a lawyer in Columbus, Ohio, said that if assets are not held in the name of a trust, the trust document is meaningless.