How To Clean Out A Menlo Park Home Before A Probate Sale

There is nothing I enjoy more than helping a family sell a Menlo Park home left to heirs through probate. I know, it doesn’t take much to make me happy, but I am who I am. Over the years I have developed a system to sell Menlo Park homes in probate and it works really well!

 1. Look at a home and see if there are valuables that are worth selling in the Menlo Park home in probate. Many homes are left with enormous amounts of personal property, sometimes with value and sometimes not. For example crappy cars have value, but beautiful over stuffed furniture does not.

2. If there is something of value to sell I usually recommend calling an auction house to come and take over the job of selling the personal property they believe will sell. I like DGW, but there are others. They sell the property at auction, deduct their percentage and fees, and send a check to the heirs.

3. The next step is to separate the recyclable items and find places to recycle. There are people who take metal, The Ecunemical Hunger Project will take clothes, and the City of Menlo Park will come to take paint.

4. Next are items that can be donated. Organizations like Goodwill and Saint Vincent De Paul will take some furniture.

5. After everything that can be sold, donated, or recycled is gone then call the haulers. I like Junk King. Since it costs money to haul away trash I only do it after all other ways of disposing of unwanted property have been exhausted.

6. Once the home is free of personal property and debris, the process of making it look as good as possible for sale can begin.

So, if you have a home in Menlo Park to be sold through Probate and it is filled with stuff, it may seem overwhelming. Many people who lived through the depression maintained the habit of never throwing anything out. If you are the personal representative for the estate of a home in Probate in Menlo Park you may feel overwhelmed. But if you use a system (or hire me and let me organize the sale of your Menlo Park home in Probate ), it becomes a much less daunting task.

If you have any questions about Selling a Menlo Park home in Probate please feel free to contact me.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285

D.R.E. 01191194

Menlo Park Probate Short Sale: Why Bother?

The question of whether to short sell a home in probate used to be rare, but now unfortunately it is not. There are estates where the owner dies, owes more than the house is worth, and a decision needs to be made by the Personal Representative (executor) as to what to do.

My opinion, try it. If it is in the best interest of the bank/investor to short sell rather than foreclose they will do it. If it is not, they won't and will take it to foreclosure.

So who benefits if the home is sold as a short sale?  Well the realtor for sure.  The commission is paid by the bank.

However, if the attorney's fees are put on the HUD1 statement (the statement saying who is paying for what and who is receiving what money) the bank may pay them.  Also, the payment to the personal representative can go on the HUD1. This would make it worthwhile for the Personal Representative to try and do the short sale.  This can be very handy if the representative is a Bank or Professional Fiduciary. 

The heirs do not get anything out of a short sale so it does not matter to them if the property is foreclosed or sold short, but it does matter to the neighborhood.  A vacant foreclosed home brings the other homes around it down, while a short sale is cared for by the realtor and even if vacant is not abandoned.

So should you bother?

I think so.

If you have any questions about probate or short sales, please feel free to contact me.

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285

D.R.E.  01191194

Marcy Moyer Keller Williams Realty Palo Alto, Ca. Specialist in Trust and Probate Sales

Probate Referees: Why Are They Used?

At the beginning of probate when there is a petition to administer the estate the court will appoint someone to be the personal representative of the estate. This is often the person that was named as the executor in the will, unless that person is unavailable, unwilling, or there is a challenge from someone else. Once the personal representative is appointed, the court will also appoint a probate referee.  This person is charged with valuing the estate including the personal property and real property. There is a form that the personal representative is supposed to fill out within 60 days which gives the value of the estate for both tax purposes, and in order to settle the estate.

The referee will determine the fair market value for the estate and in the case of a probate sale that needs court confirmation the general rule is that the offers should be within 10% of this value.  It is possible to sell the home for less, but a little trickier and often involves re-doing the appraisal. The sales that require court confirmation can not be confirmed until the referee has valued the estate. 

 If the personal representative has full authority to sell the real property without court confirmation then the sale can go through, but the probate can not be completed and the monies distributed until the referee has done his or her job.

If you have any questions about buying or selling a home in probate in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, please feel free to contact me. I am an experienced probate realtor.

There is Gold In That Silicon Valley Probate or Trust Sale

Have you ever noticed that homes where there has been a death on the property sell for less than a comparable home where there has not been a death ?  In California it is mandated that if there has been a death on the property it must be disclosed. There are many people who do not want to buy a home if there has been a death because either they think it is bad luck, or they feel that other people will think it is bad luck, and therefore have bad resale value.

Problem: with the incredible growth of home hospice, as well as an aging population, a lot more people are dying at home.  Most relatives do not tell their family members to go die somewhere else so the house is worth more. No, they provide loving hospice care so that people can die in peace in familiar surroundings.

Solution on the horizon.  More and more buyers are saying that they do not care if someone has died, but they are worried that a future buyer will care or their parents will say it is a bad investment.

If you understand the premise that real estate is long term investment and not a short term road to riches for most people, then you can see that the younger generation of buyers are not nearly as worried about ghosts as their parents. Over time, the parents will be gone, and this generation will probably have very few people who are concerned about a death on the property.

The point of this:  If you buy a Silicon Valley probate or trust sale and there was a death on the property you will probably get a great discount.  The homes I list where there has been a death are selling about 10% less than homes where there has not been a death.  If you sell again in 10-15 years there will probably be many fewer buyers who care and you may make 4-7% just on the death in house issue plus any appreciation earned over time and for modernizing a home.  On a $600,000 that is $24,000 to $42,000 just for buying a Silicon Valley probate or trust sale where there has been a death. For a million dollar property that is $40,000 to $70,000.

So, maybe it is time to re-adjust your thinking about what was once considered a major flaw in a property.

California Disclosures and Probate Sales

California has very extensive disclosure requirements for residential sales which are of great benefit to the buyer. They are a very good blue print for what kinds of issues need to be disclosed, which is of great benefit for the seller. However, when you’re in charge of selling a home that’s in probate the personal representative for the estate is not required to give some of the California mandated disclosures to the buyer.

The disclosures that are not provided by the personal representative include: The Transfer Disclosure Statement, The Seller’s Questionnaire, Earthquake Hazard Booklet, Earthquake Hazard Questionnaire, the signature on the Natural Hazard Disclosure but the report needs to be provided, and Smoke Detector Compliance.  The personal representative of the estate is not exempt from Lead Based Disclosure, Data Base Disclosure (Megan’s Law), Water Heater Disclosure and strapping, and disclosing anything that is personally known by the representative.

The anything that is known is the big one. It is probably better to do this on a separate addendum rather than just answer a few of the questions on the seller’s disclosure forms. So if you ever lived in the house or spent time there and know something, disclose it. It is so much easier to disclose before the sale, than after in front of an arbitrator or judge.  The estate will thank you!

Marcy Moyer

Keller Williams Realty

www.marcymoyer.com

marcy@marcymoyer.com

650-619-9285
Twitter

*photo courtesy of Housing Information

You Can Afford a Green Home in Menlo Park CA: MASSIVE PRICE REDUCTION

YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A GREEN HOME IN MENLO PARK

501 Sandlewood St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

JUST REDUCED! UNBELIEVABLY LOW PRICE 

$560,000.00

Welcome to 501 Sandlewood St, a Green Home in an enclave of 3 year young Green Homes in Menlo Park.Conveniently located near the Dumbarton Bridge, gorgeous new office buildings, Mid Peninsula High School, and even a new Starbucks. You owe it to yourself to see how the city of Menlo Park has done a spectacular job on this re-development area, and to see what a wonderful home Clarum has built.

Some of the fantastic features include photoelectric roof panels which keep the PG&E bill to under $500 a year, tankless water heater so you never run out of hot water, tiles made from recycled glass, a lawn that looks gorgeous but never needs watering, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, solid surface tub surrounds, a huge master bath with a soaking tub, double paned windows and tons of natural light, walk in closet, and a bonus landing that is great for an extra office or playroom. There is a neighborhood park and a great community surrounding you. All this for under $600,000!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it is real. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

GREAT features include:

3 Bedrooms including a large master suite

2 ½ bathrooms with granite topped vanities, solid surface bath surrounds, and tiled floors

A wonderful U shaped kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, granite counters, maple cabinets, tiled floors, and a large pantry

Large, doubled paned windows

No water lawn

Attached 2 car garage

Re-circulating water heater pump

1,640 square feet of living space (per assessor)

3464 square foot lot (per assessor)

Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
Follow Me, Marcyagent, on Twitter!

DRE # 01191194

Menlo Park Ca Open House Sat & Sun 1:30-4:30: A Green Home You CAN Afford

YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A GREEN HOME IN MENLO PARK

501 Sandlewood St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

VERY ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT $598,000.00

Open House This Weekend, Saturday June 26th and Sunday June 27th from 1:30-4:30.

ALL GUESTS ARE ENTERED TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TIFFANY'S

Welcome to 501 Sandlewood St, a Green Home in an enclave of 3 year young Green Homes in Menlo Park.Conveniently located near the Dumbarton Bridge, gorgeous new office buildings, Mid Peninsula High School, and even a new Starbucks. You owe it to yourself to see how the city of Menlo Park has done a spectacular job on this re-development area, and to see what a wonderful home Clarum has built.

Some of the fantastic features include photoelectric roof panels which keep the PG&E bill to under $500 a year, tankless water heater so you never run out of hot water, tiles made from recycled glass, a lawn that looks gorgeous but never needs watering, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, solid surface tub surrounds, a huge master bath with a soaking tub, double paned windows and tons of natural light, walk in closet, and a bonus landing that is great for an extra office or playroom. There is aneighborhood park and a great community surrounding you. All this for under $600,000!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it is real. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

GREAT features include:

3 Bedrooms including a large master suite

2 ½ bathrooms with granite topped vanities, solid surface bath surrounds, and tiled floors

A wonderful U shaped kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, granite counters, maple cabinets, tiled floors, and a large pantry

Large, doubled paned windows

No water lawn

Attached 2 car garage

Re-circulating water heater pump

1,640 square feet of living space (per assessor)

3464 square foot lot (per assessor)

Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
Follow Me, Marcyagent, on Twitter!

DRE # 01191194

Menlo Park Ca Open House Sat & Sun 1:30-4:30: A Green Home You CAN Afford

YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A GREEN HOME IN MENLO PARK

501 Sandlewood St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

VERY ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT $598,000.00

Open House This Weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-4:30.

ALL GUESTS ARE ENTERED TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TIFFANY'S

Welcome to 501 Sandlewood St, a Green Home in an enclave of 3 year young Green Homes in Menlo Park.Conveniently located near the Dumbarton Bridge, gorgeous new office buildings, Mid Peninsula High School, and even a new Starbucks. You owe it to yourself to see how the city of Menlo Park has done a spectacular job on this re-development area, and to see what a wonderful home Clarum has built.

Some of the fantastic features include photoelectric roof panels which keep the PG&E bill to under $500 a year, tankless water heater so you never run out of hot water, tiles made from recycled glass, a lawn that looks gorgeous but never needs watering, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, solid surface tub surrounds, a huge master bath with a soaking tub, double paned windows and tons of natural light, walk in closet, and a bonus landing that is great for an extra office or playroom. There is aneighborhood park and a great community surrounding you. All this for under $600,000!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it is real. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

GREAT features include:

3 Bedrooms including a large master suite

2 ½ bathrooms with granite topped vanities, solid surface bath surrounds, and tiled floors

A wonderful U shaped kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, granite counters, maple cabinets, tiled floors, and a large pantry

Large, doubled paned windows

No water lawn

Attached 2 car garage

Re-circulating water heater pump

1,640 square feet of living space (per assessor)

3464 square foot lot (per assessor)

Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
Follow Me, Marcyagent, on Twitter!

DRE # 01191194

MENLO PARK OPEN HOUSE THIS WEEKEND (June 12 & 13, 1:30-4:30: A GREEN HOME YOU CAN AFFORD

YOU CAN AFFORD TO BUY A GREEN HOME IN MENLO PARK

501 Sandlewood St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

VERY ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT $598,000.00

Open House This Weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-4:30.

ALL GUESTS ARE ENTERED TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TIFFANY'S

Welcome to 501 Sandlewood St, a Green Home in an enclave of 3 year young Green Homes in Menlo Park.Conveniently located near the Dumbarton Bridge, gorgeous new office buildings, Mid Peninsula High School, and even a new Starbucks. You owe it to yourself to see how the city of Menlo Park has done a spectacular job on this re-development area, and to see what a wonderful home Clarum has built.

Some of the fantastic features include photoelectric roof panels which keep the PG&E bill to under $500 a year, tankless water heater so you never run out of hot water, tiles made from recycled glass, a lawn that looks gorgeous but never needs watering, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, solid surface tub surrounds, a huge master bath with a soaking tub, double paned windows and tons of natural light, walk in closet, and a bonus landing that is great for an extra office or playroom. There is aneighborhood park and a great community surrounding you. All this for under $600,000!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it is real. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

GREAT features include:

3 Bedrooms including a large master suite

2 ½ bathrooms with granite topped vanities, solid surface bath surrounds, and tiled floors

A wonderful U shaped kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, granite counters, maple cabinets, tiled floors, and a large pantry

Large, doubled paned windows

No water lawn

Attached 2 car garage

Re-circulating water heater pump

1,640 square feet of living space (per assessor)

3464 square foot lot (per assessor)

Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
https://twitter.com/marcyagent
DRE # 01191194

MENLO PARK CA OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FROM 1:30-4:30

501 Sandlewood St, Menlo Park, CA 94025

VERY ATTRACTIVELY PRICED AT $598,000.00

Open House This Weekend, Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-4:30.

ALL GUESTS ARE ENTERED TO WIN A $100 GIFT CERTIFICATE FOR TIFFANY'S

Welcome to 501 Sandlewood St, a Green Home in an enclave of 3 year young Green Homes in Menlo Park.Conveniently located near the Dumbarton Bridge, gorgeous new office buildings, Mid Peninsula High School, and even a new Starbucks. You owe it to yourself to see how the city of Menlo Park has done a spectacular job on this re-development area, and to see what a wonderful home Clarum has built.

Some of the fantastic features include photoelectric roof panels which keep the PG&E bill to under $500 a year, tankless water heater so you never run out of hot water, tiles made from recycled glass, a lawn that looks gorgeous but never needs watering, granite counter tops in the kitchen and baths, solid surface tub surrounds, a huge master bath with a soaking tub, double paned windows and tons of natural light, walk in closet, and a bonus landing that is great for an extra office or playroom. There is a neighborhood park and a great community surrounding you. All this for under $600,000!

Seems almost too good to be true, but it is real. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

GREAT features include:

3 Bedrooms including a large master suite

2 ½ bathrooms with granite topped vanities, solid surface bath surrounds, and tiled floors

A wonderful U shaped kitchen with a gas stove, microwave, granite counters, maple cabinets, tiled floors, and a large pantry

Large, doubled paned windows

No water lawn

Attached 2 car garage

Re-circulating water heater pump

1,640 square feet of living space (per assessor)

3464 square foot lot (per assessor)

Marcy Moyer
Keller Williams
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
https://twitter.com/marcyagent
DRE # 01191194

Menlo Park, CA: Condo For Rent, $2500 a Month

Wonderful Condo For Rent in Sharon Heights

2371 Sharon Rd., Menlo Park, Ca

CLICK HERE FOR VIRTUAL TOUR!

2 bedrooms

2 baths

Inside washer/dryer

Wood floors

Central heat and air

Patio

Pets permitted

Huge extra storage

1 car garage plus additional parking

Las Lomitas Schools

Complex with pool and lush landscaping

Close to shops and schools

Marcy Moyer
Intero Real Estate
650-619-9285
marcy@marcymoyer.com
www.marcymoyer.com