Detailed answer — step by step

1. Confirm who actually owns the property and how

Before anything else, get the recorded deed and any wills or probate paperwork. Ownership can be held as:

• Tenancy in common — each owner has a divisible share (common with inherited property).
• Joint tenancy with right of survivorship — the deceased owner’s interest may have automatically passed to the surviving joint tenant(s).
• Owned by the estate — the property may still be in probate or administered by the personal representative.

How title is held affects who must sign to transfer an interest and whether the property was fully distributed by probate. If the property is still part of the estate, the personal representative may have authority to sell or transfer according to the will or Maryland probate rules.

2. Identify each co-owner’s share

If the property passed by intestacy (no will) or was left equally, siblings often each own equal fractional interests (for example, three siblings = each 1/3). If a will or settlement states different shares, use those percentages. You’ll need each co-owner’s share to calculate a fair buyout price.

3. Get a current market value (appraisal) and account for liens

Order a professional appraisal (or at minimum a broker price opinion) to determine fair market value. Check for mortgages, tax liens, and other encumbrances; those reduce net equity and affect how much cash is needed to buy out others.

4. Calculate the buyout amount

Basic formula: (Appraised market value − outstanding liens) × co‑owner’s share = amount to pay that co‑owner to fully buy their interest. You and your siblings may adjust that price by negotiation — discounts for liquidity, repairs, or other concessions are common.

5. Negotiate and get the agreement in writing

Approach your siblings with a written offer that explains the appraisal, how you calculated the amount, and proposed timing and payment method. Consider using a mediator or neutral attorney if emotions run high. When you reach agreement, document it with a written purchase agreement that covers price, timing, who pays closing costs, how liens will be handled, and what happens if the buyer’s financing falls through.

6. Arrange financing or use cash

Common ways to fund a buyout:

• Refinance the property and take cash out to pay siblings (often done when one owner wants to keep the home).
• Take out a mortgage in your name (if you qualify).
• Personal loans, sale of other assets, or installments to selling sibling(s) (promissory note and deed of trust can secure deferred payments).

If using financing, coordinate timing: lender requirements may affect whether co‑owners must sign and whether existing mortgages must be paid off.

7. Complete the transfer and record the deed

Typically, once funds are ready the selling sibling signs a deed (for example, a quitclaim or general warranty deed) conveying their interest to you. The deed should be notarized and recorded in the county land records where the property is located. Recording the deed puts the world on notice of the change in ownership.

8. Handle taxes, liens, and closing details

Consider transfer taxes, recording fees, and how you will handle prorated property taxes. If siblings defer payment and accept a promissory note, consider a deed of trust or mortgage to secure the obligation.

9. If negotiations fail: partition action as a last resort

If co‑owners cannot agree and one co‑owner wants out, any co‑owner may file a partition action in Maryland circuit court seeking a physical division or the sale of the property and division of proceeds. Courts prefer partition in kind (division of the land) when feasible; otherwise they order a sale. Partition suits are often costly and adversarial — a negotiated buyout before filing typically saves money and time.

10. When to get a Maryland attorney involved

Get legal help if:

• Title is unclear, or there are disputed ownership shares.
• Property remains in probate and distributions are contested.
• You expect a partition suit or need to draft complex financing or buyout agreements.

Key Maryland-specific practical notes

• Maryland allows co-owners to bring partition actions in the circuit courts where the property is located. A party forced into partition may end up with a court-ordered sale rather than a private buyout.
• If the property was inherited, federal tax law generally provides a stepped-up basis to fair market value at death, which matters for capital gains when the property later sells. Consult a tax professional about tax consequences of selling vs. keeping and later selling.
• Recording of deeds and liens is done at the county land records office (often the Clerk of the Circuit Court); recording practices and fees vary by county.
• Using a promissory note and recording a deed of trust is a common way to secure installment buyouts; Maryland law gives secured creditors certain enforcement remedies if payments are missed.

Helpful hints

• Start with transparent numbers: supply an appraisal and an accounting of liens so siblings see the logic behind your offer.
• Be prepared to pay professional fees (appraiser, title search, closing costs, and possibly attorney fees if you want a thorough closing).
• Consider staged buyouts if you can’t pay everyone at once — use a secured promissory note recorded against the property to protect sellers.
• Get title insurance on any newly conveyed interest (or confirm an existing owner’s policy) to protect against undisclosed claims.
• Use a neutral escrow company or attorney to hold funds and handle deed recording to avoid disputes about timing and delivery.
• If family relationships are strained, use mediation before filing a partition suit — it often preserves relationships and reduces costs.
• Check local county procedures for recording deeds, transfer tax forms, and fees before closing; counties vary in process and timing.

Where to find official Maryland resources

General Maryland court information and self-help topics (probate, estates, and property matters) are available from the Maryland Judiciary: https://www.courts.state.md.us. For questions about recording deeds and land records, contact the clerk or land records office in the county where the property sits.

For official Maryland statutory text and legislative resources, use the Maryland General Assembly website at: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov.