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Selling a Probate House in a Trust? 3 Costly Mistakes to Avoid

  1. The number one mistake that Executors, Administrators or Trustees (the Personal Representative or PR) make is setting the asking price of the probate or trust property too high. The result is homebuyers will not choose to view the interior of the property.

 

  • This lengthens the amount of time the house remains on the market unsold.
  • Unfortunately this happens because either the Realtors provide out of date or incorrect information and/or the Estate PR chooses to “test” the market with an above market value list price.
  • The frequent result is a frustrated Executor, Administrator, or Trustee, as well as, the beneficiary and heirs.

 

  1. Not understanding the difference between Realtors.

 

  • The Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist  (CPRES) designation can easily be acquired by a Real Estate Agent attending a seminar and taking a test.
  • A Real Estate Consultant and Probate Expert is a rare thing. It takes years of experience successfully helping hundreds of Executors, Administrators and Trustees with real estate in Probate and Trusts.
  • Having someone that understands the legal requirements and regulations, the contractual documents and timelines, plus has interacted with other professionals in the business such as attorneys, professional fiduciaries and referees.

 

  1. Not preparing the probate or trust house for homebuyer viewings.

 

  • Taking care of the decedent’s personal property.
  • Completing cost-effective repairs prior to putting the real estate on the market.
  • Unless selling the trust or probate house completely as-is, having the house and yard clean will improve the buyer interest.

 

Ready to discuss your exact circumstances with a Probate Real Estate Consultant? Call me at 760-912-8905 or visit, inlandempireprobatetrusthelp.com

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.