Are you a newcomer to probate? For buyers, homes in probate can be a great investment opportunity and because this segment of the market isn’t well known, these properties can offer an advantage. As a buyer, before you make an offer, be certain you read the disclosures and understand the terms, timeline, and which forms to use. A home in probate may be sold in order to settle outstanding debts, or the house may be in a state of disrepair. When already dealing with the devastating loss of a loved one, it can be shocking to find yourself now carrying another financial burden. Depending on your circumstances, this may not be a feasible situation. This leads us to the subject of selling probate property in Baltimore. Whether you are a buyer or a seller, it is vital that you understand the following 4 things.
1. The Personal Representative
Real estate that is to be passed down to heirs, is not in a trust and is without the instructions of a legal Will prompts the probate court to appoint a personal representative or administrator. When there is a Will, the named personal representative or executor is responsible for following the terms as they are laid out. This legal process is overseen by a special court whereby ownership of the property is legally transferred to the rightful heirs of the property and then is sold and the profits are distributed. When you become the personal representative of a Baltimore intestate estate, you are now the administrator of the estate. This is a big responsibility, which can be made all the more stressful by any infighting among the heirs or even lead to your being sued for mismanagement or fraud by the beneficiaries.
2. Sell As-Is
Whether you are buying or selling probate property in Baltimore, it is extremely important to know that the sale will be completed with the property in “as-is” condition. As a buyer, this means you won’t be in a position to demand repairs be made prior to closing. Often, in traditional real estate transactions, the contract for the home can include a contingency of waiting until the current residence of the buyer has been sold, as this sale is the financial source to buy the probate home. You should be aware that the guidelines governing this type of real estate transaction does not allow for any contingencies. Because the court requires the purchase price of the real estate sold in probate to bring the highest possible price, often the property is offered at auction.
3. Local State Laws
An important aspect of buying or selling probate property in Baltimore is to understand the legal specifics of the process, which can vary from state to state. Should their loved one have died without a Will, the death is known as being intestate. While the personal representative has been advised that they are now responsible for the estate, most are left wondering what to do next. If you should find yourself in this situation, the importance of acting quickly in the matter cannot be overstated. There are forms that must be used for the process and special deadlines that must be met. You will find yourself having to learn everything necessary about the process, all while jumping through legal hoops in order to sell a home in probate. The additional stress of meeting urgent legal timeline demands in addition to the difficult time of mourning can be overwhelming. When not handled properly, a transaction can be voided.
4. Work with Experts
It can be very complicated! Buying or selling probate property in Baltimore can leave the inexperienced feeling very alone and sometimes even under legal attack by the heirs, leading to making costly mistakes. There is a great deal of information to absorb, all while facing probate proceedings. Filling in forms unique to the probate process must be used and can be a daunting task. Not to mention the stress from looming deadlines. Let a professional take the weight off of your shoulders. It is important that your needs be met in the transaction. You should feel that they are listening and willing to meet your needs. They should be happy to explain every step of the process. They should be able to tell you how many other people they have helped through this process. They should have a team of reliable professionals who can handle everything for you, from initial cleanup, maintenance of the property during the probate period, and any other job that needs to be completed. Their team of experts should be readily available to support you from the start through to the final day of closing.
Bonus: We have the solution! Ease the strain of these concerns when you are buying or selling probate property in Baltimore by working with Maryland Home Buyers by your side. We can help make the process easy. We buy probate properties directly and will help you through the entire process step by step. Send us a message or give us a call at (410) 657-2523 today to learn more!