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As a Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist, Kathleen Daniels knows that managing the probate real estate sales process is not for everyone. Probate real estate is a highly specialized real estate practice much the same as probate is a highly specialized area of law.
Personal representatives want to hire an attorney and a real estate agent well-versed in probate. It is unfortunate however there are far too many attorneys and real estate agents pretending to be experts in the field of probate. One size definitely does not fit all when it comes to managing and estate and selling probate real estate.
Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist | CPRES
Kathleen Daniels was contacted by an estate planning attorney looking for a real estate agent that “really knows” probate. After 1.5 hours of discussing Kathleen’s experience and qualifications, the attorney was impressed. One would have to know probate and the real estate sales process to answer the questions the attorney asked.
The attorney was looking for someone with a compassionate hand and heart to work with their client who had lost their spouse during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. The sudden death of their spouse left them feeling enormous grief.
Receiving referrals from attorneys is always an honor. This particular referral was extraordinary because it came from an attorney seeking a probate real estate agent who would take excellent care of their client as well as sell the family home.
While it is common for Kathleen to receive referrals from attorneys who need a real estate agent to sell a probate home, this particular referral was made following a rather intensive phone interview. The attorney expressed their frustration with other real estate agents that did not have experience selling real estate in probate and who refused to listen to the attorney!
Probate Real Estate | Sales Process
Following a lengthy phone consultation, the client hired Kathleen Daniels to sell the family home. There are times when we just feel a connection to people and this was one of those times. Due to COVID and the shelter-in-place orders, meeting people face-to-face was something to be done only when necessary.
It was certainly necessary for Kathleen to see the home she was hired to sell. Following all the COVID-19 real estate guidelines and protocols, Kathleen visited her client in their home. Unlike many homes she has sold in probate, the family homes had many upgrades and needed very little to be done to ready the home for the real estate market.
Many probate homes Kathleen sells are vacant which makes showing the homes easier even when not listed during a pandemic. Given that Kathleen’s client was living in the family home until it sold, Kathleen attended every showing to ensure other agents and their clients were following the guidelines and protocols. The client’s safety is always top of mind.
Unfortunately, the client’s spouse did not have a Will. The spouse was appointed administrator of the estate with full authority under the Independent Administration of Estates Act or IAEA. To understand IAEA watch the short video below.
This was a probate sale without court confirmation and not subject to the California probate sale overbid process making the sale more similar to a non-probate sale with only a few exceptions. The home sold for the asking price. The client is happy with the results of the sale and is doing their best to move on to the next chapter of their life. It is always an honor to serve in such a time of crisis and need.
Probate Real Estate | What Many Clients Need
The one common thing nearly all of Kathleen’s probate clients want and need, above and beyond selling the real estate, is someone to talk with and someone who will listen. A client’s emotions are typically all over the place, from deep sadness to anger with family members.
This particular client not only lost their spouse to a sudden and unexpected death, but it was also during COVID and they could not have a funeral service or a celebration of life gathering.
Throughout the sales process, Kathleen had many long telephone conversations with this client and for the most part, just listened.
Sure, a lot of questions were asked about the probate process, many were answered as they related to the sale of real estate and many were not answered as they were more legal in nature. Despite the fact that we may know the answers to legal questions we are not licensed to practice law. Kathleen always directs her clients to address legal questions with their attorneys.
Get the help you need to sell probate real estate. Know that all real estate agents are not created equal. Why hire a generalist when you can hire Kathleen Daniels, Certified Probate Real Estate Specialist who knows and understands probate real estate and the sales process? Request a consultation with Kathleen.