Probate Property Guide · For personal representatives

You’ve been handed a to-do list at one of the hardest times.

A quick guide to what typically happens with the house, what to do first, and where I can help.

What happens to the house

Six stages, from opening the estate to the proceeds.

Every estate is different. Talk to your attorney for help with legal procedures and working with the court.

1Estate
opened
2Property
evaluated
3Decision
made
4House
prepared
5House
sold
6Closing &
proceeds

First 5 things to do now

Call the homeowner’s insurance company and ask about coverage for vacancy
Rekey the locks and secure all windows and doors
Keep utilities on to protect the house
Take dated photos and video of every room before anything is moved
Wait to sell, give away, or discard belongings until your attorney says it’s okay

Problems I help prevent

The house sits empty. I set up a check-in routine.
Heirs disagree. Together we make a plan everyone can agree on.
Pressure to sell fast. I give you data on what the market would actually pay.
Small repairs become big ones. I flag issues early.
Selling at the wrong time. I lay out expected timing and numbers.

How I help

One point of contact, from walk-through to closing day.

Assess

I walk the property with you (in person or virtual) and give you a clear, detailed market assessment.

Prepare

I coordinate clean-out, repairs, and vendors to get the house stable and market-ready.

Sell and Close

Pricing strategy, proven marketing, strong negotiation, and clear communication through closing day.

Concierge full service or à la carte, you choose. Expect no pressure from me.

Have an estate with real property?

Get the full guide, request a free assessment, or reach out.

The full 8-page guide

The stage-by-stage overview, a first-30-days checklist, 10 common problems, and everything the concierge service covers.

Enter your email and the PDF downloads right away.

Get a Preliminary Property Assessment

Tell me a bit about the property and I’ll put together a no-obligation look at its likely value, condition, and options.

Name

Email address

Your role

Phone number

Property address

Where the estate stands

Who’s living there

Property condition

Anything else I should know?

Message Daniel

Share as much or as little as you like. I’ll get back to you, and there’s no obligation.

Prefer to talk? Call (206) 335-8994 or email daniel@danielmcdougall.com.

This guide is not legal advice. Talk to your attorney for help with legal procedures and working with the court. Real estate information for Washington State only. Not legal, tax, or financial advice.