Buying Probate and Estate Real Estate

How Buying & Selling Probate Real Estate Sale Works

Buying and selling Probate-Trust Real Estate differs in many ways from a traditional real estate transaction.

Buying Probate Real EstateHistoricPhoenixDistricts.com represent buyers and sellers who are interested in purchasing or selling homes that are in the probate courts and may need court approval.

Probate properties are usually owned by the estate of a deceased homeowner and are often sold below market value to property investors and potential homebuyers. If you’re needing a licensed real estate agent and for information on selling a probate home, click here.

Why is a Home is Sold Through Probate Court?

A home is sold in probate court when someone dies intestate or without bequeathing their property. When that happens, the state takes over and administers the property’s sale.

The Courts Have Rules

The courts have plenty of rules. One biggie is they’ll be certain the property is marketed and sold at the best possible price. As a result, to ensure this, the court requires certain steps, processes and procedures be followed. Probate laws vary from state to state.

Buying a Fixer-Upper In Probate

Many homes that are in probate are fixer-uppers. There’s an art in buying fixers in probate, however, these can be very good deals depending on who is selling the property and their motivation.

Strategies for a Win-Win Probate Purchase in Phoenix

Quite often, there are family members squabbling over money. Although this can get complicating, there’s an art in navigating such sales so it’s a win-win for everyone involved. This is an area that I have multiple strategies for a smooth transaction.

Buying “AS-IS”

While buyers may be drawn in by the budget-friendly price, probate homes are not for everyone. One important fact starts is that the homes are typically sold “as is with no repairs.” Usually, the estate doesn’t have an interest in renovating the property, either because of logistics, timing, or available funds. If you’re buying a home that’s a probate sale, it doesn’t mean you should forego a home inspection and appraisal.

Quite often, the probate home for sale is already pre-approved by the courts and the closing happens very quickly.

You May Have to Wait

If the home does not not have pre-court approval for the sale, which many do, you may have to wait a little longer than your traditional purchase time-frame. If that’s the case, once your offer is accepted by the estate’s representative, the estate attorney has to petition the court to approve the sale.

As you might expect, courts move at their own pace and you can expect to wait 30 to 45 days (give or take) for the day you can claim your home.

Patience is Key

Playing the waiting game isn’t the only frustrating aspect of probate sales. In certain states, even as your offer is making its way through the courts, the home can possibly remain listed and be open to other bidders. So, other buyers may be allowed to show up at your hearing and outbid your offer. But, if you have patience, you could get a great deal.

If you’re interested in buying or selling a probate home needing court approval, contact us today and we’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.