November California Home Sales

The Sanborn Team follows the Real Estate market very closely and we'd like to share what we know with you! According to this Data Quick report, foreclosures and short sales account for over 30% of homes sold in November. To read the report in it's entirety, please click here: Southland November Home Sales Rise; Median Price Still Below Year Ago

The Sanborn Team is here to assist you with all of your real estate needs. We have over 30 years of experience selling Probate Real Estate specifically properties that require Court Approval. Consider us a resource! For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com.

When is a property subject to Probate?

A: Property to which the decedent directly held title at his or her death is subject to a probate proceeding. Properties that are being sold when the person on title is under a conservatorship are also subject to the probate proceeding.

For additional information The Sanborn Team and our Probate listings, please visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Real Estate article in today's LA Times

The Sanborn Team would like to share an interesting real estate article from today's LA Times. Per Freddie Mac, the typical rate for a 30-year loan is at 3.99%! As the article states, it's no surprise that applications to purchase homes rose after Thanksgiving to the highest level in four months. To read the article in it's entirety, please click here:

LOS ANGELES REAL ESTATE NEWS FROM MONEY & CO.

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust real estate for over 30 years. Please call us at 310-777-2858 anytime or for more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com.

No Overbidders in Probate Court!

Our probate listing at 7438 Leescott in Van Nuys was confirmed in Probate Court this past Friday. There were no overbidders and so it went to the original buyer, who was in court and prepared to overbid themselves if needed.

The Sanborn Team has other properties coming up that will be going to Probate Court for confirmation. Stand by!

We are here to assist you with all of your real estate needs throughout Southern California. Our focus is selling Probate and Trust properties for Attorneys, Conservators, Administrators and Trustees. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

The Sanborn Team has a Probate Property going to Court!

The Sanborn Team has a Probate property that will be confirmed in court tomorrow 12/2 at 9:00AM. What a fantastic value! This three bedroom one bath at 7438 Leescott in Van Nuys is a great starter home. Wood floors throughout most of the house. Huge backyard with tons of potential. Bring your green thumb!

If you're interested in overbidding on this Probate listing, please call our office at 310-777-2858 or e-mail us at: info@sanbornteam.com. Court information as follows:

Date: 12/2/11
Place: Santa Monica Court House - 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, Department A

Time: 9:00AM

First overbid Amount: $221,000

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust Real Estate for over 30 years. We work with many Professional Fiduciaries, Probate Attorneys, Trustees and many others associated with the Probate Court process. For more information about us and our Probate Listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com.

California October Home Sales

The Sanborn Team follows the Real Estate market very closely and we'd like to share what we know with you! There isn't much of a change from last month's home sales and "distressed" properties still make up more than half of California's resale market. To read the article in it's entirely please click here: California October Home Sales





The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust real estate for over 30 years. We are here to help! Please call us anytime at 310-777-2858 or to view our Probate and Trust properties, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com.

California September Home Sales

We were somewhat encouraged to read a DataQuick article that September home sales were up 6.7% from last September. Although we are a long way from a recovery in the real estate market, The Sanborn Team is happy to report that we continue to sell probate and trust real estate and have never been busier!

To read the DataQuick article in its entirety, please click here.

The Sanborn Team works with probate attorneys, professional fiduciaries, trustees and administrators of estates in our probate and trust real estate business. Many of our listings require court approval and we have an intimate understanding of how the probate court system works.

The Sanborn Team has more than 30 years of experience selling probate and trust real estate. Please consider us a resource! To learn more about us or to view our probate listings, please visit our website at www.sanbornteam.com or call us at 310-777-2858.

Amazing Deal on a Probate Listing in West Hollywood!

We are amazed that this one isn't already gone! It's located at 968 Larrabee St. and the list price is $199,000. Trendy and cool one bedroom, one bath condo in prime West Hollywood, just south of Sunset Boulevard. This is a light and bright corner unit close to shops, restaurants and night life. The gated complex has a pool and spa and includes secure parking. This is a probate sale that will require court confirmation.

The Sanborn Team has been selling probate and trust real estate for over 30 years. We are here to help you with any and all of your real estate needs! For more information about us and our probate listings, please visit our website at www.sanbornteam.com or give us a call at 310-777-2858.

More overbidders in Probate Court!

More excitement for The Sanborn Team in Probate Court! Our Probate listing at 212 W. 46th did not go to the original buyer but to an overbidder who was willing to pay an additional 5%. The Fiduciary representing the estate was very happy as were we. The Sanborn Team works diligently to get as much as we can for the estates we work with. Often times, the property is the Estate's biggest asset.

Our second Probate listing that was overbid in Probate Court was 735 Harper in West Hollywood. This was a hot property and priced very well for the neighborhood.

We have several properties going to Probate Court in the next couple of months. Stand by!

The Sanborn Team specializes in the sale of Probate and Trust properties. We have over 30 years of experience and understand the Probate Court system very well. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com. We would love to hear from you!

LeParc for under $900K!

Reduced!! Elegant living in LeParc. This two bedroom, two and half bath is a front facing unit and in a great locale in the complex. Grand living room with fireplace that opens to massive terrace, great for entertaining and enjoying the outdoors. Nice size master suite with double closets also leads to terrace. Large kitchen has a dine in area and a wonderful patio to enjoy your morning coffee while overlooking lovely greenery. En suite bedroom currently used as a den/office. High ceilings throughout. Great lush surroundings and serene setting in a wonderful complex with fantastic amenities and a 24 hour guard gate.

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust properties for over 30 years. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com or you can always call us at 310-277-2858. We would love to hear from you!

Probate Real Estate Could Be Your Pot of Gold!

Attention Buyers who are looking for Real Estate opportunities. The Probate
Real Estate marketplace may be your pot of gold!

In a struggling real estate market, many homeowners who don't have to sell
will choose to wait until conditions improve. However, regardless of the market,
selling real property when someone has died may not be an option. With an
unusual volume of foreclosed properties pulling housing prices downward, the
prices for Probate properties are also pulled down. What this means for today's
home buyers is that they may get more house for their money and they may also
find it in the neighborhood of their dreams!

Unlike foreclosed or bank-owned (REO) properties, in which the buyer
negotiates their purchase with the institution that owns the property, Probate
purchases may be negotiated directly with the owners or their representatives.
(In some cases this process requires court confirmation.) This will allow a
buyer to move forward with a purchase.

Probate Real Estate opportunities exist in every neighborhood and every
price range, but buyer beware! Secure your financing and make sure your real
estate agent understands and explains Probate policies, disclosures and court
proceedings. We see opportunity in this market-and of course we would be happy
to help you find it!

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust properties all over
Southern California for 30 plus years. We work with Probate Attorneys,
Fiduciaries, Trustees and Heirs on a regular basis and understand the Probate
Court system very well. We are happily busy having already sold many properties
this year and still counting!

To view our Probate listings and to learn more about The Sanborn Team, your
Probate and Trust Real Estate specialists, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com
or give us a call at 310-277-2858. We look forward to hearing from you!

Six Good-News Reports

Fires, floods, earthquakes and unrest crowd the airwaves. But guess what? There’s good news out there, too. Here are six examples:

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its first NAHB/First American Improving Markets Index (IMI) yesterday. The IMI lists “metropolitan areas that have shown improvement for at least six months in three key economic areas—housing permits, employment and housing prices.” Okay, none of the 12 metro areas listed are in California, but improvement is encouraging!

On a similar note, the Northwest Multiple Listing Service reports this week that “August now ranks as this year’s best month for both pending and closed sales around Washington state.” While prices are still down, “Last month’s volume of pending sales was the highest number of mutually accepted offers since April 2010 when the homebuyer tax incentive expired,” the NWMLS reports.

In its August 2011 Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), released yesterday, ISM reports that “Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in August for the 21st consecutive month.”

In case you missed it, last week Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 771, which prevents excess document fees for home buyers in a common interest development, such as a condominium or townhome.

In his press briefing Tuesday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) director, Thomas R. Frieden, said, “we have good news, which is that there are fewer Americans smoking today than in the past.” There were three million fewer smokers in 2010; additionally, heavy smokers are now smoking less.

Finally, The Sanborn Team is hard at work selling homes in Southern California. Probate properties continue to sell at very attractive prices, even when those prices are above asking! Our attentive service and decades of work with heirs, conservators, trustees and probate attorneys gives our clients the solid footing they need to make great decisions.

The Sanborn Team knows how to deliver good news! Browse our website or contact us now at 310-277-2858.

California July Home Sales

DataQuick's California home sales report for July is not encouraging, explaining that both prices and numbers of sales are down. To read the August 16 article from DataQuick, click here.

In spite of such gloomy news, the Sanborn Team is happy to report that we've had several properties in escrow this year and many have sold for more than the asking price. We work very hard to get top dollar for the executors, trustees, conservators and probate attorneys we work with.

We just had two properties confirmed in Probate Court this morning. Both had overbidders and sold for well over asking. We were thrilled!

The Sanborn Team has more than 30 years of experience selling Probate and Trust Real Estate. To learn more about us and our probate expertise, or to view properties currently offered for sale, please call us at 310-777-2858 or visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/. We look forward to assisting you.

The Sanborn Team has two Probate Properties going to Court!

Our Probate property at 1464 Sunset Plaza Drive in LA will be confirmed in Probate Court on Tuesday, 8/30. This house has such gorgeous views and the interest has been tremendous! It is a three bedroom two bath home. We anticipate overbidders on this one. The first overbid for this house is: $900,350. Please call The Sanborn Team or e-mail us at : info@sanbornteam.com for instructions on how to purchase this property at the Probate hearing.

The second Probate property is located at 2923 La Brea Avenue and will also be confirmed in court on Tuesday, 8/30. This is a cozy two bedroom one bath home with a great backyard. Really amazing price! The first overbid for this house is: $104,450. Please call The Sanborn Team or e-mail us at: info@sanbornteam.com for instructions on how to purchase this property at the Probate Hearing.

Information for both as follows:

Date: 8/30/11

Time: 8:30AM
Place: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles - Department 11

Sunset Plaza First Overbid Amount: $900,350

La Brea First Overbid Amount: $104,450

Please contact our office at 310-777-2858 for overbid instructions. The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust real estate for over 30 years. Please call us for any and all of your real estate needs. We are here to help! For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

Colfax court date Thursday 8/18!

This is by far the best deal on a condo in Studio City! Our Probate listing at 4311 Colfax Avenue is a steal in the desirable Colfax Meadows area. Great location near trendy shops and restaurants.

Court date and information as follows:

Date: 8/18/11
Time: 8:30AM
Place: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles
First Overbid Amount: $173,750

This one is worth a trip to the courthouse!

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust Real Estate for over 30 years. Please call us at 310-777-2858 for all of your real estate needs. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

The Sanborn Team has overbidders in Court!

It was an exciting day in Probate court today for our listing at 16102 Sandy Lane in Encino! The original buyer and three other buyers showed up to bid on the property. The property sold to one of the buyers who was willing to bid an additional $100,000 more for the property! Needless to say, the Trustee and the Probate Attorney were ecstatic. Even in these tough economic times, The Sanborn Team works very hard to get as much as we can for the Trustees, Conservators, Probate Attorneys and Professional Fiduciaries we work with. We are proud of our reputation of helping families and beneficiaries get the most from their assets.

We have three other Probate listings going to court this month. Stand by!

For more information about The Sanborn Team and our Probate Properties, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

The Sanborn Team has another Probate listing going to Court!

Attention all contractors! Land value in Royal Oaks! Great opportunity to build a custom house.

Our phones rang off the hook on this property and although we don't always know until the actual court date, we anticipate that there will be overbidders in court. Don't miss the excitement! Call our office at 310-777-2858 for overbid instructions.

Court information as follows:

Date: 8/9/11

Time: 8:30Am

Place: 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys - Department NW C

First Overbid Amount: $604,250

The Sanborn Team has three other properties that will be confirmed in Probate Court this month. Stand by!

We have been selling Probate and Trust Real Estate for over 30 years. Consider us a resource! For more information about our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/.

The Sanborn Team has Overbidders in Court!

A very exciting day in court!

Our listing at 2900 W. 85th was confirmed in court on 7/19/11. Two overbidders as well as the original buyer attended the court proceeding and it went to the highest bidder! We are always happy to get the most we can for our clients. In some cases, the Fiduciaries, Conservators and Probate Attorneys we work with represent estates that are in financial distress, so getting top dollar is crucial.

The Sanborn Team understands Court approval sales throughtout Southern California. For more information about us and our listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/. We are here to help you with all of your real estate needs!

Another Probate Property Confirmed in Court!

Our probate listing on Angeles Vista was confirmed in court this morning. There were no overbidders and so it went to the original buyer, who was in court and prepared to overbid themselves if needed.

The Sanborn Team has several other properties coming up that will be going to Probate Court for confirmation. Our duplex at 2900 W. 85th will go to court on 7/19. Details to follow!

We are here to assist you with all of your real estate needs throughout Southern California. Our focus is selling Probate and Trust properties for Attorneys, Conservators, Administrators and Trustees. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

The Sanborn Team has another Probate Lising going to Court!

Attention investors and contractors! This two bedroom two bath house is located at 5535 Angeles Vista Blvd. in Los Angeles. The property sits on a corner lot and is truly an amazing value!

The sale of this Probate listing will be confirmed in court on July 12th. For those interested parties who wish to come to court to overbid, information is as follows:

Date: 7/12/11
Place: 111 North Hill Street, Dept. 5, Los Angeles
Time: 8:30AM
First Overbid: $268,775

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust properties for over 30 years. Please call us for any and all of your real estate needs. We are here to help! For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

Team Work Counts in Probate and Trust Real Estate Sales

Buyers and sellers of probate real estate do not really realize how much work is required to put a property on the market and to position it to sell quickly. At the Sanborn Team we work closely with the law firm that is handling the Estate/Conservatorship or Trust matter to assure that when a property is placed on the market all issues that may exist have been resolved.

This past week we have had several examples of how we all work together to assure the buyer/seller that the process is seamless and will go without a hitch. For example...

We received a petition for the sale of a property from a law firm, but discovered a calculation error on the over-bid amount. We identified it so that the petition could be properly amended before it came before the Probate Court.

Another petition was received and we noticed that the address was incorrect (a simple typo), but again we were able to notify everyone so the petition could be amended.

We are currently working closely with an administrator, the attorney for the estate, Escrow of the West (Marcine Kline) and California Title (Bill Thomas) to clear up title issues on a property that we are getting ready to place on the market. Everyone involved knows how urgent it is to clear up the problems and they are all working together to expedite the process.

At the Sanborn Team we value our partners and know how vital they are to helping us solve problems.

If you would like the Sanborn Team to work for you please contact us at 310-277-2858 or email us at info@sanbornteam.com
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Cash is King in the Probate Marketplace

According to DataQuick, which gathers and maintains statistics on the real estate industry, an average of about 10.6 percent of Los Angeles County home purchases made in the last ten years were all cash sales, that is, bought without a mortgage. In January 2010 and January 2011, that number spiked to right around 25 percent.

DataQuick explains: “For the past couple of years all-cash deals have become far more common in lower-cost markets where prices have dropped sharply, luring investors and other buyers who either can't qualify for a traditional mortgage, or who simply view housing as a relatively attractive place to park their money. Moreover, using cash can get you to the head of the line if there are multiple offers on a property, given sellers favor the relative speed and certainty of all-cash transactions.”

Not surprising that we would find that kind of head-of-the-line thinking among buyers making offers on probate properties. Such buyers have the flexibility to over-bid in court when the opportunity presents itself and to grab undervalued probate homes for family, http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifinvestment or resale. Cash can also be critically important when as-is probate properties need extensive repairs and don’t meet the bank’s standards for a loan.

If you have cash to invest or real property to sell through probate, trust or conservatorship, The Sanborn Team delivers head-of-the-line results. Call us at 310-777-2858.

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The Probate Market: Prices Down, Investors Up

The newspaper isn’t exactly bringing home the recovery reports we’ve been hoping for. While lower-than-ever prices are good news for buyers, they’re discouraging to sellers who have been holding on for an improved market – or those, like probate sellers, who are disposing of real property on the court’s schedule.

If most buyers are feeling a little cautious these days, investors are encouraged by market conditions, according to a Realtor.com survey reported by Inman News. Asking about anticipated purchases in the next two years, interviewers found that a third of investors plan to buy during that time, while only 8.6 percent of home-seekers expect to make a deal. In the two-to-five year time frame, investors outnumber residence-seekers three to one.

What does that mean for people who need a place to live? Make a plan: talk with your lender and get pre-approved so you know exactly what you can afford. Work with your Realtor to locate homes that meet your needs. Look for quality homes offered for sale through probate or trust. Talk with a probate expert. Follow the court’s instructions. Make the best offer you can.

The Sanborn Team has been selling real property in greater Los Angeles for more than 30 years. If you have questions about any aspect of probate or trust real estate, visit our website, www.sanbornteam.com, or call us at 310-777-2858 today.

The Sanborn Team closes another escrow!

This multi-unit listing at the corner of Montana and Harvard in Santa Monica sold for over asking. We listed the property at $1,400,000 and it sold for $1,505,000!

This was a probate sale that required court confirmation. We had several overbidders in court, however it went to the original buyer.

The Sanborn Team has been selling probate and trust properties for more than 30 years. For more information about us and our probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Probate, trust, conservatorship....and copyright?

We were delighted to read Bernice Ross’s succinct and informative article on copyright, “Know the basics of copyright, trademark infringement” in today’s issue of Inman News. Bernice is not only an extremely knowledgeable and successful real estate coach and author, she is also a dear friend of The Sanborn Team. What’s more, she’s right on target with her information about copyright.

It’s an issue we’ve thought about a great deal. As we’ve worked to create original text for our posts, we’ve observed that not everyone is quite so conscientious. In fact, a while back, purely by accident, we discovered that the text from our blog was being “borrowed” in its entirety by another agent who was posting it as their own.

The irony, of course, is that a huge part of our business representing clients in the sale of real property through probate, trust and conservatorship is sharing information. We advise other agents, buyers, sellers, fiduciaries, administrators, conservators, trustees, accountants, executors and even attorneys to make sure that the parties to a transaction have all of the information they need, when and where they need it.

We do our homework. And we respect the talent and integrity of the many skilled individuals and businesses with whom we work. It’s a pretty simple way of doing business: surround yourself with smart, honest people and do the work right the first time. It’s a philosophy that’s served us well for more than 30 years.

If you have questions about real estate sales through probate, trust or conservatorship, we would be happy to talk with you. Call Nancy at The Sanborn Team: 310-777-2858.

The Sanborn Team reduces price on Culver City Condo!

Price reduction from $299,950 to $275,000! This is a great two bedroom two bath condo in trendy Culver City, close to great shops and restaurants. Complex features 24 hour guard gated community, two pools, two spas, exercise and rec area.

This is a probate sale that will require court approval. The Sanborn Team has been is here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Give us a call at 310-777-2858 or visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

Streamlining Probate and Trust Sales with Electronic Signatures

Anyone who has been involved in a real estate transaction in the last 15 years knows that it takes a lot of trees to sell or buy a piece of property. Even as listing and purchase contracts have increasingly favored electronic over paper formatting, pages would still need to be printed to secure and distribute the necessary signatures on all the required documents.

DocuSign has changed all that – and The Sanborn Team’s clients love it.

In short, with DocuSign, documents (such as contracts, disclosure forms, instructions, etc.) are uploaded and sent by e-mail. The recipient (buyer/seller) receives an e-mail, clicks on Review Documents and is guided through the document. The recipient selects or writes a signature, signs the document and follows instructions to complete the transmission. In addition to a full signature, the signer can also initial certain provisions in the document, just as with a paper contract. DocuSign also has a sign-on-paper option, if preferred.

Transactions are password protected and secure, streamlined and fast, while eliminating paper and document transportation costs. All that’s needed is a browser or a mobile device (iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Google Android).

After federal ESIGN legislation established electronic records and signatures as legally binding, DocuSign pioneered e-signature technology in 2003. Today the company has more than 4.5 million unique users and 97% of Fortune 100 companies have used DocuSign.

The Sanborn Team provides efficient, comprehensive real estate representation for the sale of real property through probate and trust. If you have questions, call Nancy Sanborn at 310-777-2858.

The Sanborn Team introduces a new condo in Culver City!

Great Condo in trendy Culver City! Well-maintained two bedroom, two bath corner unit with serene views and beam ceilings. List price is $299,950. Complex features 24-hour guard gated community, two pools, two spas, exercise and rec areas. Two carport parking. Probate sale. Court Confirmation Required.

The Sanborn Team understands real estate in Southern California. We specialize in Probate and Trust Real Estate and we are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! Please call us at 310-777-2858 or visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/

The Sanborn Team just listed an exceptional property

This gated property at the end of a cul de sac in Los Feliz is being sold through a probate proceeding. To learn more about probate real estate purchases please visit our website at www.sanbornteam.com.

This four bedroom, four bath home also has maids quarters, making it a five bedroom. Sweeping downtown and hillside views. Open , airy, light and contemporary. Huge cook's kitchen, walk-in-closets and ample parking. This is a must see!

We will have it open on caravan this Tuesday 4/12 from 11:00-2:00. Please stop by and say Hello!

This property is a probate that requires court approval. The Sanborn Team has over 30 years of experience selling Probate and Trust properties. Call us for all of your real estate needs! We're here to help. For more information about us and our probate listings, please visit our website at www.sanbornteam.com

Collaborating for Successful Probate and Trust Sales

The Sanborn Team offers a comprehensive array of real estate services for those selling real property through probate, trust and conservatorship.

At The Sanborn Team, we take the word Team very seriously. Beyond disclosures and documentation, knowledge of Probate Code and court requirements, counseling of buyers, sellers and agents, and aggressive marketing of property, we also bring access to experienced professionals who understand the complexities of court-administered sales.

• We cooperate with other real estate companies and real estate agents to offer sellers the widest exposure to potential buyers.
• We interact with a network of skilled local agents who can provide showings and other on-site services in communities throughout Southern California.
• We work with escrow officers who have years of experience with probate contracts, including specialized disclosures, inspection reports and the need for on-time precision to meet the court’s demands.
• We work with title officers who provide critical historic information on properties in probate.
• We counsel buyers’ agents to assure that buyers are prepared to bid or overbid with the necessary timing and paperwork.
• We bring in property-readiness services to make the most of “as-is” sales.
• We cooperate with the preferences, presentation methods and contract terms of attorneys.

Our services save time, expedite the transaction and assure that if a higher price can be attained for the property, it will be.

At The Sanborn Team, we are comfortable with clients, other agents, attorneys, fiduciaries, administrators, conservators, trustees, accountants, executors, court personnel and other parties to the transaction. Our business is to achieve the highest selling price for the heirs.

Call Nancy Sanborn for further details: 310-777-2858.

5 Ways to Get a Probate Home in Show-Selling Shape

Probate property is sold "as is." That means no painting, no repairs or fixes or tweaks to charm the potential buyer (painting and fixing could mask a defect in the house). The usual suggestions a real estate agent might offer for getting a home in "show-sell" shape may not apply. However, there are always things that can be done to help get a home ready to be sold, even when it’s a court-supervised sale.

1. Work on curb appeal. Make sure that the lawn is mowed and all trash and debris are removed from the property. Trim overgrown trees and plants and rake around them.
2. Have all the windows in the house washed inside and out. Let the sun shine in! Also remove damaged window coverings and heavy drapery.
3. Remove stained and worn carpets. If you decide to leave the existing carpets in the house, have them cleaned professionally to remove odors. (Remember, a buyer may be sensitive to odors you can’t even smell.)
4. Have a cleaning crew scrub the house, including all the nooks and crannies such as cabinets, shelves, closets, built-in drawers and utility room.
5. Remove all personal property from the home, especially family heirlooms, photos, old clothing, etc.

If you have questions about preparing real property for sale through probate or trust, The Sanborn Team is happy to provide answers. Call us at 310-777-2858.

Pricing it right for 2011

Pricing it right for 2011

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it’s time to mention (again) the importance of right-pricing for sellers who are serious about selling their property.

Emerging from the long-haul misery of a depressed market, we’ve noticed that there’s a little “magical realism” circulating among some sellers. Now that things are improving, these sellers seem to think, prices should bounce right back to where they were in 2006.

We don’t think that this market, or today’s buyers, will welcome higher prices. In fact, price seems to be one of the major factors keeping buyers away from new listings. With plenty of foreclosures and short sales still on the market, buyers are looking for opportunity they can afford.

Buyers are doing their home-work. They’re spending time searching online, studying values and making lists of essential and optional features. They know what they can afford – and how they’ll pay – and they’re ready to act when all the pieces fall into place.

Sellers might take a page from the buyer’s book: think like a buyer. Search the market as if you’re buying, not selling. Visit open houses and look at properties for sale that are similar to yours. Note particularly how long a property has been on the market because that often says something significant about the price.

There’s a right price in every market. The right price for 2011 is slightly below market so it attracts sellers and agents in good number and may even land the home in multiple-offer territory.

If you have questions about pricing, or about any aspect of selling real property, The Sanborn Team has more than 30 years of experience (through all kinds of markets) to help you. Give us a call at 310-777-2858.

The Sanborn Team has another overbidder in probate court!

Our listing at 3342 Maceo was confirmed in court this morning. We had an overbidder who bid $15,000 over the first overbid amount. The original buyer really wanted the house and bid up another $5,000! It ultimately went to that buyer, who was very happy. The Sanborn Team was even happier since we were able to get more money for the estate.

The Sanborn Team works very hard to get the most we can for the executors, administrators, conservators, and probate attorneys who represent the estates we sell. The continual overbidding in court is truly a testament to our aggressive marketing plan for each of our properties. We continue to market our listings right up until the actual court date.

The Sanborn Team has more than 30 years of experience selling real property through probate and trust. Call us anytime for all of your real estate needs! For more information about our probate listings, please visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Housing Market Index Encouraging

While The Sanborn Team focuses on the resale of existing homes, especially real property sold through probate, trust and conservatorship, we keep a close eye on what's happening in the new-homes market as well. Trends in new construction tend to have a ripple effect on employment, local economies and, sooner or later, home sales.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released its Housing Market Index on March 15 with a note of cautious optimism. Builder confidence is up to its highest level since "May 2010, when the survey period corresponded with the final days of the federal home buyer tax credit program," NAHB says. The West showed the highest gains.

What this uptick in the HMI means is that builders believe home-buyers will begin making new-home purchases in the coming months.

While the NAHB is far from enthusiastic about the market's immediate prospects, this new report suggests to us that home sellers need to be even more on-target with their pricing as competition from new homes gains momentum.

The Sanborn Team has been selling real property on the Los Angeles Westside for more than 30 years. If you have questions about pricing or timing your home sale or about any aspect of probate and trust real estate, visit our website, http://www.sanbornteam.com/ or call us at 310-777-2858 today.

Probate court date on 3/24 for 3342 Maceo St. !

Date: 3/24/11

Time: 8:30AM

Place: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles - Dept. 11

First Overbid Amount: $198,950

Attention Investors and Contractors!! Here's a great opportunity to come to court and overbid on this property.

Charming two bedroom one bath house with enclosed front porch. Probate Sale. Court Confirmation required.

The Sanborn Team is here to help you with all of your real estate needs! We specialize in Probate and Trust properties that require court confirmation such as this one. For more information about us and our probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Neighborhood expert vs. probate expert: finding the right agent to sell your home

For decades, one of the staples of real estate marketing has been neighborhood expertise. It makes sense, really: you want your agent to have local knowledge that he or she will use to appeal to the right buyer for your home.

But when it comes to selling real property through probate, trust or conservatorship, technical expertise is critical. These transactions operate by a stringent set of rules, with few allowances for the agent who guesses wrong or "just didn't know." Your neighborhood expert may not have the knowledge of court proceedings, disclosures or documentation that can make or break a deal.

The Sanborn Team recognizes that both local knowledge and technical knowledge are essential to successful probate and trust sales. That's why we have built an extensive Southern California network of real estate professionals who are respected neighborhood experts. We work closely with them to assure that local representation and technical representation work together to the full advantage of the client.

Our role is advising, guiding and informing all of the parties to a sale who require our expertise, including buyers, heirs, probate attorneys, accountants, fiduciaries, executors, trustees and other real estate agents.

The Sanborn Team has been selling probate and trust real estate for more than 30 years. Please visit our website at http://www.sanbornteam.com/ and call us with your questions at 310-777-2858.

Overbidders in Probate Court!

Several of our probate listings have gone to court in the past couple of weeks. And we've been amazed at the number of overbidders who have gotten the property over the accepted offer!

This month alone, the following properties went to an overbidder in court:

1652 W. 222nd Street, Torrance

1310 N. Hoover, Silver Lake

5755 Kelvin Avenue, Woodland Hills

The Sanborn Team has always worked on assisting executors, administrators, trustees and probate attorneys in pricing properties to generate as much buzz as possible. And once we have an accepted offer and a court date is scheduled, we continue to market the property. Our goal is to get the highest dollar value for our clients.

Call us anytime for all of your real estate needs! Please visit our website to find a wealth of information on probates and to view our current listings: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

My Client Cannot Be in Probate Court to Bid on a Property. What should I do?

Just this past week this question came up twice. Two buyers were expected to over-bid on a property.

The first buyer contacted us prior to the sale date. We were able to provide the buyer with detailed instructions on what the attorney for the estate would require in order for someone to bid on the buyer's behalf. Every attorney has his or her own guidelines, but in general most agree that the Power of Attorney needs to be specific to the property that is being sold.

The second buyer sent his real estate agent to court and did not contact us prior to the hearing. The estate's attorney was able to speak to the agent prior to the hearing and establish the ground rules under which he could bid. In this case, the agent had a Power of Attorney specific to the property, but he wanted to enter the name of the buyer as an LLC. This was not acceptable to the attorney, who stated that the name of the buyer for the purposes of the sale had to be an individual, not an LLC.

The bottom line? If you are buying real property through probate or trust, or if you are a real estate agent representing such a buyer, be aware that the court has no flexibility when it comes to overbidding. A phone call in advance to the estate's attorney or the probate real estate agent could save the sale and get you the property you want.

No one wants to get in the way of an over-bid in court.The Sanborn Team spends a lot of time working with buyers and agents to assist them in getting ready to over-bid. We send out instructions to the agents so they know how to counsel their clients - and we're always happy to answer questions about court proceedings. The goal of the Sanborn Team is to see that every property sells for the maximum price.

The Sanborn Team has more than 30 years of real estate experience specializing in the sale of probate and trust properties. For more information about us and to view our probate listings, please visit our website at www.sanbornteam.com

Cash-only homes on the rise

I recently read an article in the business section of the LA Times about how all cash buyers are grabbing homes in record numbers.


Nearly 100% of the Probate and Trust properties we list require buyers to pay all cash. This is because they are being sold "as is" with no contingencies, i.e. financing, inspections, appraisals or any approvals. And in most cases the Seller will not do any repairs including termite and retrofit. Who can afford such a deal? Investors that's who! We have definitely seen more investors and investor groups making offers as well as coming to court to overbid.


As the article points it's incredibly difficult to qualify for jumbo loans from lenders who are still reeling from the mortgage fallout. On the up side, unemployment is at its lowest since April, 2009. Since jobs are so directly related to the real estate market, we are hopeful that things will level off.


To read the article in its entirety, please click here: http://lat.ms/glX6un


The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust Real Estate for over 30 years. Please call us for all of your real estate needs! To find out more about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Property of the week!! 5162 Etheldo Avenue

Light and bright three bedroom, 1.75 bath home in Culver City P.O. Hardwood floors in most rooms. Family room with fireplace and brand new carpet. Sliding glass doors lead to grassy backyard. This is a very charming house with tons of potential! A must see! Probate sale. Court Confirmation required.

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust properties for over 30 years. To find out about why we are the experts, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

Is paperwork different in a Probate Sale?

With a keen insight of the marketplace and familiarity of the Probate Code, The Sanborn Team handles the sale of real property through Probate & Trust accurately and promptly. As you may know, the sale of property through Probate & Trust is not the same as the sale of property outside of the court system. Probate and Trust sales require special disclosures, listing agreements and purchase contracts.*
Since the seller of a probate has usually never lived in the decedent's or conservatee's house, they are not required to fill out certain disclosures that express the condition of the property. These disclosures are:

• Real Estate Transfer Disclosure Statement
• Earthquake Hazards Report
• Statewide Buyer and Seller Advisory
• Local Area Disclosures
• Seller Property Questionnaire
• Agent Visual Inspection Disclosure

Also, the listing agreement and purchase contract are different as well. Probate & Conservatorship listings must be on the Probate Purchase Listing Agreement and all offers must be on Probate Purchase Agreement.

You may also know that when it comes to the sale of real property through probate and trust, not all agents are created equal! Lack of experience can only lead to the trustee/administrator to fail finding the best buyer and fail to provide the correct paperwork that protects the trustee/administrator. Although to many real estate agents the sale of probate seems similar enough to a traditional transaction, this sale takes a comprehensive understanding of the court requirements.

The Sanborn Team brings you and your clients over 30 years experience of marketing and selling Probate and Trust properties. To find out about why we are the experts, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

* These forms are created by the California Association of Realtors

Property of the week! 3500 W. Manchester, #223, Inglewood

List Price: $225,000

Spacious two story townhome in desirable Briarwood complex with formal dining room, large living room with fireplace that overlooks private patio. Master suite plus two additional bedrooms with great closet space. Fresh paint and newer carpeting throughout. Detached garage with direct access to patio. Well located in the complex, close to clubhouse and pool. Convienent location close to Hollywood Park and LAX. Probate sale. Court confirmation required.

This townhome is a great value!

The Sanborn Team has over 30 years of experience selling Probate and Trust properties all over Southern California! For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

Three Properties going to Probate Court on 3/1/11!

Court location: 111 N. Hill Street, Department 11, Los Angeles

1000 Glenhaven Drive

Pacific Palasades, 90272
Overbid amount: $1,082,131.25

Three bedroom, three bath home with pool in desirable Marquez Knolls area of Pacific Palasades. Gated courtyard entry and wood beam ceilings in most rooms. This is a great house with tons of potential!

1310 North Hoover

Los Angeles 90027

Overbid amount: $272,450

This is a two bedroom, two bath although tax records show it as a one bedroom, one bath. Great Silverlake neighborhood close to trendy shops and restaurants.

63 N. Mariposa
Los Angeles, 90029
Overbid amount: $310,250

Original craftsman home built in 1910! Spacious three bedroom, one bath on large lot. Convienent location close to fabulous shops and restaurants. Awsome investment opportunity!

Please call us at 31--777-2858 if you're interested in coming to court. We are happy to e-mail you instructions on how to overbid in court. Don't miss out on these wonderful properties!


The Sanborn Team are your Probate and Real Estate experts. We are here to answer any questions you have about court confirmed sales and to help with all of your real estate needs. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/


Have a wonderful weekend!!

What is a Probate Sale?

"Probate" is the court-supervised administration of a decedent's estate. The probate proceeding involves "proving the will" (if there is a will), appointing the personal representative, determining the decedent's assets that are subject to probate. More specifically, any property that the decedent owned or had an interest in at the time of death is collected into the estate and distributed to those entitled to it after all debts and expenses have been paid. Thus, the process of administering a decedent's estate is referred to as "probate" and is generally supervised by the probate court.

The Sanborn Team has over 30 years experience in selling Probate and Trust properties. We are here to help you with all of your real estate needs! For more information about us, please visit our website at: www.sanbornteam.com

How is the overbid amount established?

When a property is sold at a court hearing there is open competitive bidding. It is important to understand that in order for there to be a court hearing, an initial bid has to be accepted and the attorney for the estate must petition to have a hearing date.

The minimum first overbid price is set by a statute in the Probate Code. That amount is 5% of the accepted initial bid plus $500.

Further incremental bidding is established by the presiding judicial officer at the hearing.

The Sanborn Team is here to help you with all of your real estate needs. We specialize in Probate and Trust sales, many of which require court confirmation. For more information about us and our Probate listings, please visit our website at: www.sanborn.com

Upcoming Bar Meeting: Trust and Estates Section

Trust and Estates Section

Topic

The Road to Representing Non-Traditional Couples

Speakers

Willow A. Mc Jilton, A Law Corporation

George N. Seide, Adelman & Seide, LLP

Date

2-15-11

Location

Lawry's Restaurant

100 La Cienega Blvd.

Beverly Hills

Time

11:45 - Registration and Lunch

12:30 - 1:30 - Program

As your Probate and Trust Real Estate experts, we are here to assist you and your clients with comprehensive real estate expertise. For more information about our services, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/ or call us at 310-777-2858.

Cashier's Check Requirements for Overbidding on a piece of Real Estate in a Probate sale

Although it may come as a surprise to most of you, there are some people out there that do not understand what a cashiers check is. Yes, some people refer to them as Bank Checks, however we came across an amusing situation worth sharing.

At a court hearing to confirm the sale of a piece of Real Estate, an interested buyer tugged the back of my sweater. She needed to speak to me so I followed her outside. I proceeded to ask her to show me the check that was required for her to make a bid on the piece of real estate that was being sold. She handed me a bank statement and a personal check. I explained to her that the check had to be a cashiers check in order for her to be able to bid on the real estate. Afther a series of exchanges, she explained to me that this check was a cashiers check. The check was made payable to cash - thus a cashiers check!

The overbidding party must appear at the hearing with thier agent and a cashier's check in an amount totaling at least 10% of the minimum overbid price in order to successfully overbid.

The Sanborn Team works on taking the mystery out of Probate & Trust Real Estate Sales. We encourage you to contact us with your questions at 310-777-2858 or visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/

If The Price Is Right!

Price Reduction on 3500 W. Manchester, #223. New price is $225,000! This is a spacious two-story townhome with formal dining room, large living room with fireplace that overlooks private patio. Master suite plus two additional bedrooms with lots of closet space. Fresh paint and newer carpets throughout. Detached garage with direct access to patio. Well located in this complex, close to club house and pool. Probate sale. Court Confirmation Required.

Every house will sell if the price is right! The single most important factor to consider when selling a house is the price tag. Over the years we’ve discovered that if a buyer considers a particular home a great value they’ll go for it, otherwise they’ll wait until it goes on sale. What if your home pricing is not yielding showings or contracts (the only two signs that really matter)? You likely need a price reduction. Time and again, as soon as we reduce the price of a home that isn’t moving, there will be renewed interest among buyers and, in most cases, good solid offers.

The Sanborn Team has been selling Probate and Trust Real Estate for over 30 years. Contact us for all of your real estate needs. For more information, please visit our website at: http://www.sanbornteam.com/