If you get a loan for more than you need, you would keep the surplus (but of course, you have to repay it as per the terms of the loan, with interest presumably--you are likely better off borrowing less and not have a surplus you have to repay with interest). The estate has nothing to do with the transaction between you and your lender. The estate gets only the money paid to  the estate for the house, which is then divided among the heirs. So (example) if you get a loan for $250k but pay the estate $225, the other $25k goes to you, subject to the terms of the loan.