If the home of a deceased loved one will be undergoing the probate process in California, you probably have questions. Here are some of the more common ones.
Selling a House in Probate is different than a normal real estate sale.
Depending on how your attorney filed your probate case, you may receive Full Authority or Limited Authority with respect to your powers to administer the estate. You should always have your attorney file for Full Authority whenever possible.
Fortunately, most probate cases in California are Full Authority. This means that once you accept an offer on the sale of your property, that offer is not subject to an overbid process in the county court house. This fact makes your property more attractive from the get go!
How Long Does it Take to Sell a House in Probate?
Most Full Authority probate sales can be completed in a 30-45 day time frame. Assuming all heirs and beneficiaries are in agreement with the terms of sale and the terms of the offer.
How Soon Can I Sell the House?
Once the Letters and Order for Probate are issued by the court you can generally list the property for sale. Letters and Order for Probate typically are issued around two months after filing for probate with the court.
How Do I Sell a House in Probate?
The first step in selling a property subject to a probate process is to contact a real estate professional that is experienced in working with probate properties.
I am a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist (CPRES), that understands the intricacies of the probate process and can navigate it’s complexity to my client’s advantage. There are processes, agreements, and disclosures that are different from a standard real estate sale.
Dealing with a Probate Property from a Distance
Often times, family members tasked with administering the estate via the probate process will not be in close proximity to the property. This is when a full service probate specialist comes in very handy.
As a full service probate specialist broker, I am able to handle every aspect of the process for my clients. From managing the estate sales process, to clean up, to coordinating painting, repairs and more, our remote clients are assured that their interests are being managed to the highest standards, by licensed professionals on their behalf.
Probate Properties in Bad Condition
Probate properties are often in bad condition because they have not been kept up and they may have serious deferred maintenance issues. Leaky roofs, damaged drywall, leaks in plumbing, termite, and many other issues can affect the value of a property.
We make it our job to inspect and when required, provide needed repairs to maximize our client’s profit on the sale of the property.
If you are not in a position to make the repairs, we can take care of the repairs and the cost can be paid via the sale proceeds during the escrow process.
When Should I Contact a Realtor to Sell the Property in Probate
You can contact our office for guidance even before you’ve contacted an attorney. If you don’t have an attorney, we can recommend one.
If you’ve already started the probate process, feel free to call us and we advise you on the best time to list the property, and we can go over other details needed to ensure that you are able to get the highest price on the sale of the property.
Being an probate administrator is no easy task. I commend you for taking on this complex assignment. It can be very stressful.
We are here to help answer any questions you may have about the process. You are not alone in this process. Don’t hesitate to reach out.