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What’s different about a Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor?

When someone dies without a living trust and leaves real property that needs to be sold to settle the estate, a Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor (CPREA) will make the entire process simpler, for you. A CPREA has specific expertise and a proven system that will make the preparation and sale of your loved one’s home easier.

Traditional real estate agent vs a CPREA

Most real estate agents do not have the needed expertise to guide an executor or administrator. The typical real estate transaction means that a sign is placed in the yard, photos are taken, and the property details are included in postings for the public to see on the Internet.

Meanwhile, the executor or administrator has the following concerns:

  1. What should I do with all the personal property?
  2. What cost-effective changes can be done to maximize the buyer’s interest and ultimately the selling price of the house?
  3. How can I manage all that needs done when I do not live in the area of my loved one’s home?

When I helped my first executor, I didn’t know how to guide the family because I didn’t have any experience. Since then, my team and I have helped hundreds of executors, administrators, and trustees. I can honestly say that there isn’t any situation that I have not experienced and drafted a solution so that the real estate sale obtains the best price and terms, maximizing the estate’s equity.

How is a probate real estate sale different?

What I’ve discovered is that unlike typical real estate transactions, the probate real estate transaction has a myriad of details that must be addressed, way beyond the simple act of putting a sign in the front yard. These details include:

  1. Personal property must be addressed, including clothing, furniture, household goods, the decedent’s vehicles, and more.
  1. Once personal property is removed, there may be cost-effective repairs to undertake, such as cleaning the property and carpet and perhaps some painting.
  2. During the marketing and sales period, the property must be maintained. Additionally, the house should be checked on a regular basis because most homes in probate are vacant.

I’ve been helping many executors, administrators, and trustees with real estate. I have provided all of these extra services at no additional fee to the estate. The truth is that I am passionate about maximizing the equity for the estate. The commission or fee that you would pay any traditional real estate broker includes all of my team’s specialized services.

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.