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A growing share of homes across the U.S. are now being transferred through inheritance.
Hakim Cunningham outside his home in Boston, which he inherited from his mother after buying out a brother and sister. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff)
April 13, 2026 | 8:00 AM
1 minute to read
As Massachusetts continues to grapple with a housing affordability crisis, some residents are finding a different path to homeownership: staying in the family home.
High prices, rising mortgage rates, and limited inventory have made buying a home increasingly difficult and out of reach for many. In places like Greater Boston, where home values have climbed sharply over the years, many are holding onto properties — and sometimes passing them down to family members instead of selling them.
In fact, a growing share of homes across the U.S. are now being transferred through inheritance. 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, Cotality found.
At the same time, Massachusetts law shapes how — and how easily — homes can be passed down.
The state 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. Estates valued at over $2 million may be subject to taxes, which can affect whether families keep or sell a home.
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. Still, federal gift tax rules apply.
With housing increasingly out of reach for many, inherited or gifted homes can offer rare stability — but they can also come with financial, legal, and emotional complexities.
We want to know: Do you live in a home that was passed down or gifted to you? How did it happen, and what has that meant for you or your family?
Tell us by filling out the form or e-mailing us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article.
Do you live in an inherited or gifted house?
Annie Jonas is a Community writer at Boston.com. She was previously a local editor at Patch and a freelancer at the Financial Times.
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