You are currently viewing Five Things to do Before the First Buyer ever Sets Foot in the Home

Five Things to do Before the First Buyer ever Sets Foot in the Home

Getting a probate property or home in a trust ready to sell involves more than cleaning. Before the first showing, we recommend completing these five steps to protect the estate and increase the odds of a successful sale:

 Secure the property:

Change locks and install a secure lockbox. A REALTOR® lockbox provides your real estate agent with notifications containing the name and contact details of every real estate agent who accesses it. Controlling access ensures your agent and you are aware of who is entering.

 Forward mail:

An overflowing mailbox is a clear signal the home is vacant. Prevent theft and ensure you don’t miss any important correspondence by rerouting where the mail is delivered.

 Inventory and remove personal property:

Once the beneficiaries have taken their mementos, it’s important to decide what should be sold or possibly donated. Professional estate sale companies or a cleanout company can help clear the home efficiently.

 Gather important documents:

California Association of Realtors disclosures, insurance paperwork, past repair receipts, or old inspection reports can help ensure the estate is disclosing all known details to the buyers.

 Work with a probate-savvy REALTOR®:

A real estate professional who understands probate timelines, court requirements, addressing personal property, presenting the home to potential buyers, and fiduciary duties of the personal representative will save time and reduce liability.

To prevent unnecessary delays, proper preparation helps and protects the estate’s interests. These five steps are simple but make a big difference.

Charlotte Volsch

What’s the right way to handle an inherited property—renovate, list, or sell it as-is? I am Charlotte Volsch, an Estate Property Advisor and Probate & Trust Real Estate Specialist helping attorneys, executors, and families make clear, confident decisions when selling inherited homes. I help attorneys, executors, and families navigate inherited property decisions throughout the Inland Empire and High Desert of Southern California, including Apple Valley, Victorville, Hesperia, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Loma Linda, Fontana, and surrounding communities. Over the course of my career, I have completed 774+ real estate transactions across 24 years, including more than 230 probate and trust property sales. For the past 16+ years, I have focused specifically on estate property situations, working alongside probate and trust attorneys, fiduciaries, and their clients to guide each case from evaluation through sale. Many families are unsure what to do with an inherited home—whether to invest in repairs, list it traditionally, or sell it as-is. Without a clear strategy, estates can make costly mistakes such as over-improving a property, underpricing it, selecting the wrong sale method, or facing delays that impact timelines and estate objectives. I help evaluate those decisions early, so attorneys and their clients can move forward with clarity, avoid unnecessary risk, and choose the most appropriate path based on the property and the situation. I work directly with attorneys and their clients to determine the best path forward, whether that involves preparing a property for the retail market or facilitating a direct sale through a network of qualified investors. For properties that require repairs, may not qualify for traditional financing, or are best suited for as-is sale, I provide access to a network of more than 50 active real estate investors. Over the past 12 months, I have closed 68 transactions, reflecting consistent production and experience navigating changing market conditions. I guide each case using the C.A.L.M. Method: C — Clarify We identify what matters now versus what can wait. A — Align We define priorities—legal, financial, and personal. L — Lead I guide each step in the proper order to avoid delays and unnecessary complications. M — Move Forward Clients proceed with clarity and confidence. I am the Broker Owner of The Volsch Team at Volsch Enterprises, Inc., and hold certifications in Probate Real Estate through the National Association of Realtors (NAR) as well as Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor (Probate Biz). If you are an attorney handling probate or trust matters—or assisting a client with an inherited property—I’m available as a resource to help evaluate the best path forward.