Let’s talk about a family when the loved one has passed away and left a home full of memories. The attorney and family members know that the house needs to be sold to settle the estate. That is the practical side of the situation. The emotional side can be complicated.

As an Inland Empire & High Desert Real Estate Consultant that specializes in helping personal representatives with houses in an estate, I easily recognize strong attachment to the decedents home.

As a trusted advisor, my job is to guide the personal representative of the estate, through the myriad of details to prepare, market and successfully sell the house. I do this well by being the buffer between the transactional process for the personal representative (PR).

When a seller has enjoyed their home and has many family memories there, it is understandable and reasonable, that they are attached.

Many PR’s have shared that my team helped to make the transition easier.  The responsibility of closing out a person’s estate is huge. Having the right people, people that can ease that transition is crucial.

We become a team that includes the executor, administrator, or trustee, the attorney and my team. The triad that will start and finish the process together and, sometimes it is bittersweet for the PR.

Recently a client was prepared to sell a house that had been in the family for 45 years. A lot had happened in that house and there were many memories stored in the hundreds of boxes in the garage. It was a surprise to the seller that she had such a strong reaction to sifting through all the treasures and items that had been accumulated throughout a lifetime. This is a case where compassion is called for: respecting the PR and allowing all the time needed.

This is where a trusted advisor, like me, can guide the PR to receive the help needed for the tasks that can be delegated. Introducing the PR to people that can help them. Some of those helpers may be:

• Licensed organizer
• Antiques dealer
• Buy Out or liquidation company
• Shredding company
• Contractor or handyman
• Cleaning company                                                                                                                                 

Easing the burden by supporting the PR and on occasion, their family members through the process is what I do and I’m very good at it. It is truly an honor to be part of the closure process. The PR and I start working together as strangers and come to trust each other. My purpose is for my clients to be outrageously happy with the help we provide. And, for me, my helping personal representative clients is truly rewarding.

Distributing the personal property, in some cases completing cost-effective repairs and having the home professionally cleaned, paves the way toward a successful sale.

Now that the house is ready to be offered to homebuyers, I will have professional photos taken and our team will take all the steps towards putting the house on the multiple listing service and because over 90% of homebuyers are searching online for their next home, you will see the home on many real estate websites. You will also receive an email of the listing including the photos and all written information about the house. And, then we look forward to negotiating an offer to purchase contract!