Selling a house in probate or an estate
Probate has its own rules and timelines, and a house sitting in the middle of it can be a burden for the person responsible for it. We can buy probate and estate properties directly, and we work with your attorney throughout.
If you have been named executor in a will, or you are acting as a personal representative or trustee, this page is for you. We have worked with executors and heirs before, and we work with your attorney.
What makes a probate sale different
When a property is sold through probate, the person handling the estate must have legal authority to sell, and in some California cases the sale needs the court's confirmation. Whether court confirmation is required depends on the specifics of the estate, so your probate attorney is the right person to ask. We aren't attorneys and don't give legal advice.
How we work with an estate
- We make an offer on the property as-is, with no repairs and no cleanout required.
- Your attorney reviews the agreement and advises on the process, including whether court approval is needed.
- We close through a local title company, which handles payoff of any liens and the transfer of title.
- We can be patient with the court's schedule. If a sale depends on a hearing date, we plan around it.
Common estate property problems
Estates often include homes with deferred maintenance, belongings that haven't been sorted, unpaid property taxes, or no one living there. A vacant house also needs insurance, security, and regular checking. Taking the property off the estate's plate can reduce risk while the rest of the estate is settled.
When to think twice about a cash offer
An estate has a duty to the people who inherit, and in a probate sale the price matters. A cash offer is usually lower than what a fully repaired home might bring on the open market, and in a court-confirmed sale other buyers may be allowed to bid higher. We'll explain our offer plainly, and your attorney can help you decide whether it serves the estate.
Common questions
Can you buy a house before probate is finished?
That depends on the estate's circumstances and the authority of the person signing. Your attorney can tell you what is allowed in your case.
Do you work with attorneys?
Yes. We expect an attorney to review the paperwork on any probate sale and are glad to coordinate with them and the title company.
Other situations
- Tired landlord
- Vacant house
- Liens and judgments
- Inherited a house
- House needs repairs
- Fire and water damage
- Behind on property taxes
- Behind on payments
- Code violations
- Unpermitted work
- Divorce