Can Any Real Estate Agent Sell a Probate Property?

Can Any Real Estate Agent Sell a Probate Property?

Question: I notice that your website says that members of The Sanborn Team are probate specialists. My brother-in-law is a residential real estate agent and he says we don’t need a specialist, that he’s qualified to handle the sale of our parents’ home. Who’s right?

The Sanborn Team answer: Your brother-in-law is correct: a real estate agent does not require a special license or certification to represent sellers of real property through probate, trust or conservatorship. But an agent’s first-hand probate sales experience can make the process easier and more profitable for the sellers. Here are a few reasons why:

• Probate properties require disclosures that are different from non-probate sales.
• Court proceedings are very detailed and specific and must be followed to the letter.
• It is very common for parties to the sale, including sellers, buyers, agents, and other advisors to have questions and concerns about the probate process. The seller’s agent should be able to provide clear, easy-to-understand explanations.
• The agent should be able to advise prospective buyers (and/or their agents) to make sure they are qualified and come to court with the necessary paperwork to make their offer.
• Aggressive marketing, even after an offer has been accepted, can net additional offers and more money for the estate.
• Inexperienced real estate agents may inadvertently cause delays in, or even cancellation of, the proceedings.
• The probate property may be in a geographic area that is inconvenient or unfamiliar.

The Sanborn Team specializes in the sale of real property through probate, trust and conservatorship. We have decades of experience and have earned the respect of estate planning attorneys throughout Southern California. We have a broad network of skilled agents to assist clients outside the area. We are happy to answer your questions and would be very pleased to explain more about the probate process. Call us today at 310-777-2858.

Hollywood Hills View Home

http://www.2406jupiter.com/

Please visit the above website to see our new Hollywood Hills listing. Perched above the famous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, is a 3+1.75 contemporary home with magnificent views of the city and canyon. The great room opens up to the private pool and spacious terrace with a bbq area. Inside features a gracious master suite with 2 walk-in closets, double sinks, sauna and separate shower and tub. The kitchen features an island, walk-in pantry, and direct access to the side patio. Two additional bedrooms make this a great home. Attached 3 car garage.

$995,000

This is a probate sale, subject to court confirmation.

For more information, please feel free to contact us either by phone or by visiting our website to learn more about Los Angeles Probate Real Estate

Another Overbid!

We had another sale in court today, a duplex located adjacent to Koreatown, and the property sold $75,000 over the list price! It sold for $50,000 over the overbid price!

This property is a complete fixer. Every single inch of the property needs to be repaired and/or remodeled. We believe that this property will not qualify for a loan, thus buyers must bring cash.

The continual overbidding in court is truly a testament to our powerful and aggressive marketing plans for each of our properties. We recognize that real estate in a trust or in a probate is often the estate's largest asset; we are confident that even in today's volatile real estate market, we are able to attract the highest amount for a property and at the same time protect the trustee/administrator of the estate.

To make the most of today's real estate market, call The Sanborn Team, probate real estate experts. We are a team of real estate agents that are skilled and knowledgeable, with the marketing savvy to get the job done right.

Visit us on the web at http://www.sanbornteam.com/ or call us with no obligations at 310-277-2858.

Is the Market Declining? Who Really Knows?

Where's the Real Estate Market Going Today?

It is a challenge to truly understand today's real estate market. There is a wealth of information available to buyers and sellers on the Internet, in newspapers and even on the radio. Plus, Los Angeles is such a large city with so many different types of communities and neighborhoods, from the beach to the base of the San Gabriel Mountains, that it's impossible to define the entire Los Angeles real estate market.

As Probate & Trust Real Estate Agents serving Southern California, we have the advantage of experiencing the real estate market in many different areas. Since we sell single family residences, apartment buildings, commercial buildings and condominiums throughout the region, we also have a keen insight into what's really going on in the real estate market.

Within the last 3 weeks, we've had several properties that have been confirmed in court. As you may know, probate real estate sales that require court confirmation allow for a buyer to come to court and overbid (pay more) than what the seller initially accepted on the property. At the last 3 hearings to confirm a real property sale in court, each property sold for much more than we could have imagined. Some sold for 50% more than was initially accepted on the property!

So...is the market still declining or is it stabilizing?

On Sunday May 3, 2009, the Los Angeles Times featured a very interesting article on the front page of the Business section. The article discussed how buyers are getting into bidding wars on properties. We too have experienced this with several of our listings. Prices and home values in the city of Los Angeles have dropped. However, with interest rates so low and prices down, many buyers feel this is their opportunity to get into the real estate market before it goes back up again.

Price. It's all about price... AND... GOOD properties with good values, such as good location, desirable neighborhood, practical floor plan, etc. They will always sell fast.

Whether or not the real estate market is heating up, we are here to be a resource for you and your clients and your real estate needs. From the beaches of Santa Monica to the dry deserts in the Coachella Valley, we are your probate and trust real estate agents. If the timing is right to talk about real estate, call us at 310-777-2858 or visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

30 Percent Overbid in Court

Good News: Overbid Activity Raises Sale Price

We are very excited to report that we had some heated overbidding for real estate in court today. As a result of our marketing plan for all of our probate real estate properties we were able to secure for the estate that we represented an additional $37,000, which represented a 30% increase for the heirs of the estate.

This property was listed for sale in November 2008 for $150,000 and there were not any showings or calls. The estate reduced the price of the property to just below $100,000 and there was an increase in activity and finally a bid for $90,000 was accepted.

Once we received the court date information, we updated the multiple listing service with the overbid price. In the last 30 days we received numerous inquiries from real estate agents and from potential buyers for this property. We sent out instructions for how overbid in court and today we actually had 2 interested parties who wanted to bid on the property (there were actually 3 interested parties, but one of the overbidders arrived late :-( in spite of our clear instructions that the probate court in downtown Los Angeles starts promptly at 8:30 a.m).
The over bidding for the property was quite active and interesting and in the end the judge had the bids go up in increments of $1,000. At the end of the day the buyer for the property bid $127,000.

Everyone who represented the estate was excited to get an additional $37,000 for the property and they thanked Nancy Sanborn and Allison Sanborn of The Sanborn Team for all their efforts in getting the property sold and for dynamic marketing to attract an overbid in Probate Court.

Upcoming Court Hearings!

Upcoming Probate Real Estate Court Dates!

Call your Buyers!!!! Call your Investors!!!!

1481 W. 25th Street, Los Angeles

100% vacant side by side duplex

Each unit with 1 bedroom & 1 bath

Court date: Friday April 17, 2009

Time: 8:30am

Location: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, Department 11

Opening Bid: $208,400

317 W 93rd Street, Los Angeles

100% vacant side by side duplex

Each unit is 1 bedroom 1 bath

Needs TLC!

Court date: Tuesday April 14, 2009

Location: 111 N. Hill Street Los Angeles, CA Department 5

Time: 8:30am

Opening Bid: $95,000

For information about over-bidding on court approved real estate sales please visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

If you are in need of a probate real estate expert, please give us a call at 310-277-2858 or visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/

25200 Malibu Rd. Unit #1

Upcoming Probate Court Hearing Date
25200 Malibu Rd. Unit #1
This 2 bedroom 2 bathroom unit has an incredible view from the balcony.
You can step on the sand with direct access from this Cliff May building on Malibu Road.
The unit has created quite a stir among the locals, who feel that is one of the best opportunities in years to live on famed Malibu Road.
Just bring your toothbrush and your furniture and you can move right in and enjoy all that beaches of Malibu have to offer.
The sale will take place on May 8, 2009.
The overbid amount will be $1,339,250
For more information please visit our web site
www.sanbornteam.com
Click on the various pages and you will learn how to overbid in a Probate Court Hearing
or you can call The Sanborn Team at 310-277-2858

New Probate Listing in Compton, California

1713 Tucker Street
Compton, California
$199,000
3 bedroom 1 bath home located in a residential area east of Long Beach Blvd.
This property is being sold in a probate sale and is subject to court confirmation.
It has been freshly painted and there are newer floor coverings.
We have attached a recent article that we found on MSN.com that discusses the Compton area; we hope it will be useful for interested buyers.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/190871/

For additional information please contact Nancy Sanborn or Allison Sanborn at 310-777-2858 or visit our web site at http://www.sanbornteam.com/