Probate Home Sale Case Study:

Guiding a Family Through Selling Six Properties After a Loss

  • When a Savannah attorney referred me to a family in need, they were facing not only the loss of a beloved husband and father, but also the mother moving into assisted living in Atlanta, and the overwhelming responsibility of handling six different properties tied to the patriarch’s estate.

    Suddenly a daughter - also based in Atlanta - found herself responsible for both her mother’s care and managing her father’s estate, which included:

    • The family home filled with 40 years of belongings

    • 3 vacant lots

    • 2 investment properties with tenants no longer paying rent

    The daughter felt paralyzed by paperwork, grief, and the logistics of selling these properties.

  • This situation presented several unique hurdles:

    • Some properties required probate before they could be sold.

    • The home had been vacant for over a year and was filled with personal belongings.

    • The rental properties had non-paying tenants, requiring attorney involvement.

    • The daughter initially considered keeping a rental, but managing it long-distance wasn’t realistic.

    • The mother needed to stay in Atlanta and couldn’t return to Savannah for closings.

  • To reduce the stress on the family, I created a step-by-step plan:

    1. Valuation & Strategy

      • I provided a comparative market analysis (CMA) for each property, showing both current values and the potential with improvements.

      • Together, the family decided which to sell and in what order.

    2. Quick Wins

      • We listed one vacant lot first and found a buyer within 60 days, giving the family momentum.

    3. Tenant Solutions

      • I connected them with an attorney to resolve the non-paying tenants. One left voluntarily; the other was legally removed.

    4. Bundled Sale

      • Once vacant, the two investment properties and two lots were sold together to a single buyer for $350,000.

    5. Preparing the Family Home

      • A crew cleared out the house after the daughter removed sentimental items.

      • A deep clean and HVAC servicing were completed, but we sold the home as-is.

    6. Market Positioning

      • We listed the home on the higher side due to its neighborhood.

      • After 25 days with no offers, we reduced the price — and within a week, multiple offers came in.

      • An investor purchased the home, and we closed within 30 days.

    • All 6 properties sold — 3 vacant lots, 2 investment rentals, and the family home.

      • The mother signed remotely from Atlanta; proceeds were wired directly.

      • The family avoided managing renovations, evictions, or complicated logistics from afar.

    • Family Outcome — What began as a stressful, overwhelming situation ended with clarity, closure, and financial peace of mind:

      • With the sale of all properties, the family’s Savannah chapter was now closed.

      • The daughter could focus on supporting her mother in Atlanta, rather than dealing with long-distance property issues.