ProbateBiz

This is a post that I put onto LinkedIn with the plan to get the attention of probate attorneys. I was able to draft this in minutes using Cyndee Haydon's with AI thats Easy Implementers Club.

Have you started using AI yet… or are you still trying to figure out where to even begin?

I’ve been paying closer attention to how AI is changing the way people find real estate professionals. It’s not just Google anymore. More and more, people are asking AI who they should work with.

That matters even more for those of us working in probate and trust real estate, where families are looking for very specific guidance and experience.

That’s why I wanted to share something that I think is actually practical and approachable.

The AI That’s Easy Implementers Club, created by Cyndee Haydon, is designed for people like us who want to understand AI without getting overwhelmed.

What I appreciate about Cyndee is that she’s not a tech person trying to explain real estate. She’s a real estate agent who has been in our field for decades. She understands how we work, how we think, and what actually matters in our business.

She breaks AI down into steps that make sense and shows how to position yourself so AI tools can actually recognize you and recommend you when someone is searching for help, especially when they’re dealing with something as sensitive and specific as probate or trust situations.

That piece alone is worth paying attention to.

If you’ve been curious, or even a little hesitant, this is a good place to start:
https://www.skool.com/ai-thats-easy-implementer-club/about?ref=3031eebb189b49feaa634f0d180f526d

We’re all figuring this out in real time. The ones who learn how to work with it instead of ignoring it will have an advantage.

Curious what you’ve tried so far, or if AI still feels like a mystery.

AI Thats Easy Implementer Club For real estate agents tired of just "learning" AI. Our Implementation Engine makes it easy, practical, and profitable so you get business results

There’s a lot of talk about AI right now, especially in real estate. And if you’re like me, it can feel overwhelming trying to figure out where to even begin.

That’s why I want to share something that’s been genuinely helpful.

I’ve been learning from Cyndee Haydon, who has been in real estate for decades and understands our business at a very real, practical level. Her AI That’s Easy Implementers Club breaks things down in a way that actually makes sense.

What felt impossible not long ago, understanding how to use AI to improve my online presence and be seen as a trusted resource, is now something I'm actively implementing.

If you’re a real estate professional who wants a simpler, more practical way to learn AI without all the noise, this is worth a look.

Her teaching may be exactly what you’ve been looking for. Click on this link:

AI Thats Easy Implementer Club For real estate agents tired of just "learning" AI. Our Implementation Engine makes it easy, practical, and profitable so you get business results

When the Noise Gets Loud, Local Clarity Matters Most
There is a quiet kind of hesitation we are seeing right now.
It shows up in conversations with executors, administrators, and trustees who are trying to make thoughtful decisions. Not rushed decisions, not emotional ones, but careful decisions that they can stand behind. And yet, the volume of conflicting information makes that harder than it should be.
You may be feeling that yourself.
Headlines are pointing in different directions. Some suggest slowdowns. Others suggest instability. It creates a sense that waiting might be the safer choice, even when there are responsibilities that still need to be handled.
We experienced something similar recently.
My husband and I just returned from a family emergency trip. Before leaving, we saw multiple reports about long TSA lines and delays across the country. In some cities, that was absolutely true.
But when we flew out of San Diego and returned through Charlotte, everything moved smoothly. No long lines. No delays. Same system, completely different experience depending on the location.
That is what we are seeing in real estate.
What is happening nationally is not always what is happening here in San Diego County.
In many of our local markets, inventory remains low. Many homeowners are choosing not to sell because they want to keep their lower interest rates. As a result, when a well prepared home comes to market, especially in areas like El Cajon, Clairemont, or La Mesa, buyers are still paying attention. It is common for strong interest to occur within the first 7 to 10 days.
The challenge we are seeing is not a lack of demand. It is hesitation.
When decisions are delayed while waiting for broader clarity, the cost is not always obvious at first. Carrying costs continue. Deferred maintenance can become more noticeable. Vacant homes also carry their own risks, from unnoticed issues to increased exposure that can impact both condition and value. And sometimes, the property loses momentum with buyers.
We recently worked with a trustee who lives out of state. Based on her local market, she expected a long and difficult process. Instead, once the remaining personal property was addressed, the hardwood flooring exposed, and the property thoughtfully prepared, we received multiple offers within the first week and closed in under 30 days.
Her biggest takeaway was not just the result. It was the relief that came from moving forward with a clear plan.
This is what we want you to know.
You do not need to rely on national headlines to make your decision. You need clarity about your specific situation, your property, and your local market.
Every estate is different. Every family has its own timeline, responsibilities, and priorities. What matters most is making a decision that supports your life, not staying stuck because the broader picture feels uncertain.
If you are holding onto a decision right now, it may be worth asking whether waiting is actually helping or simply delaying relief.
We are always here to help you think through that, step by step, at your pace.

Why Overpricing a Probate Property Can Hurt the Estate

It usually comes from understandable reasons. Beneficiaries hope the market will prove the higher number right. Sometimes they think starting high protects the estate or creates room to negotiate later.

But in probate and trust sales, overpricing often creates the opposite outcome.

When a home first hits the market, it enters what we call the First Impression Window. This is the short period when the most serious buyers are watching closely. Many buyers have alerts set through real estate apps and brokerage platforms. The moment a new listing appears, they review it.

If the home appears priced appropriately, buyers schedule showings quickly. Competition may develop. The estate may receive strong offers with favorable terms.

But when the price feels inflated, buyers often move on.

Once that initial attention passes, it is difficult to recreate the same momentum. Days on market start to accumulate, and buyer perception shifts. Instead of asking whether they want the home, buyers begin asking why it has not sold.

This is where agents can help personal representatives understand the financial impact.

While the property sits unsold, the estate may continue paying insurance, utilities, maintenance, property taxes, and sometimes mortgage payments. Those carrying costs slowly reduce the net proceeds available to beneficiaries.

A helpful way to explain this to personal representatives is simple.

The goal is not to test the market.
The goal is to create competition early.

When multiple buyers are interested at the same time, the estate has leverage. When a property lingers on the market, buyers often assume the seller may eventually accept less.

For agents who want to serve executors, administrators, and trustees well, pricing strategy becomes part of helping the personal representative fulfill their fiduciary duty.

Creating competition early is often the most effective way to protect the estate.

Most agents say they want more probate business.

But probate does not respond to wanting.
It responds to discipline.

The quiet kind.

The steady emails.
The educational notes.
The showing up without asking for anything in return.

Our newest executor client lives ten minutes from our office.

We did not meet him at an open house.
He did not come from Zillow.

An attorney who had never met us referred him.

Read that again.

Never met us.

Why would an attorney refer someone they have not personally shaken hands with?

Because they had been seeing us.
Consistently.
Calmly.
Teaching.

Not flashy.
Not chasing.
Not asking for favors.

Just answering the questions their clients are already asking.

Eric called because he needed guidance.

His father’s home needs repairs.
There is still personal property inside.
He wanted to know:

What actually needs to be fixed?
What can be left alone?
Who handles the clean out?
How do I protect myself as executor?

That is not a listing appointment.
That is a fiduciary conversation.

When you position yourself as a resource instead of a salesperson, something shifts.

You become the answer when a client says, “I don’t know where to start.”

Probate business is built long before the phone rings.

The question is simple.

Are attorneys experiencing you as steady and useful?

Or are they experiencing you as another agent looking for a transaction?

That difference decides everything.

This is how probate listings really begin.

Not with staging and glossy photos, but with rooms full of a decedent’s personal property. Heavy curtains blocking light. Old carpet that’s done its job for decades. A house that tells a full life story, but is nowhere near market-ready.

If you’re interested in probate real estate, this is the work most agents never see online.

Before pricing, before marketing, before a single showing, there is fiduciary responsibility. Every item matters. Every step needs to be thoughtful. This isn’t about clearing a house fast. It’s about doing it correctly.

We start by coordinating the removal of personal property with care and structure. Creating space without disrespecting what came before.

Then come the decisions that impact value. The red carpet has to be pulled. The dated curtain rods come down. Not because the home needs to be perfect, but because buyers need to see light, space, and possibility.

Yes, this is a fixer. Probate homes often are.

The skill is knowing how to protect the home while preparing it. Privacy still matters, even when a property is vacant. Updated rods and simple sheer curtains allow light in while protecting the interior and signaling that the home is being actively managed.

Marketing doesn’t wait for perfection. It starts with honest progress and clear positioning. Buyers respond when they can understand what they’re looking at and what comes next.

This is the unglamorous, essential work of probate real estate. The part that happens before the sign goes up and before anyone talks about offers.

If you’re considering becoming a Certified Probate Real Estate Advisor, this is the reality. It’s not about shortcuts or scripts. It’s about process, judgment, and respect for the role you’re stepping into.

This is where probate expertise is built.

I keep hearing the same thing from smart, capable people.

“I know AI could help me.
I just don’t want another tool I won’t actually use.”

That hesitation makes sense.

Most AI conversations focus on tools, prompts, and features.
Very little focus on what actually sticks.

That’s why AI That’s Easy Implementer Club stood out to me.

Not flashy.
Not technical.
Not built for people who want to collect tools.

It’s built for people who want results.

Simple use cases you can apply immediately.
Clear explanations without jargon.
Structure and support so ideas turn into action.
AI used as a thinking partner, not a replacement for judgment.

No pressure to master everything.
No overwhelm.
Just forward momentum.

If you’ve been curious about AI but cautious about where to start, this is worth a look.

Sometimes the right tool isn’t the most powerful one.
It’s the one you’ll actually use.

This is your link:
https://www.skool.com/ai-thats-easy-implementer-club/about?ref=3031eebb189b49feaa634f0d180f526d

To all my Real Estate friends: I have never knocked a door, or bought a single lead, year after year (20 plus) I have enjoyed a very successful repeat and referral based business . With all the changes in the real estate world, I invite you to take a look at what has helped me attract and retain “5 Star Clients” as well as live a life worth living!

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This just makes me HAPPY!

Cant believe this STRANGER just JOINED in like THAT!! @Forgetmat #mj #dance Cant believe this total stranger just walked right through us while we were dancing ;) Some would say that was Billie CLEAN!! ...

This is a question from one of our ProbateBiz members:
At what point do you feel comfortable taking the listing. I’ve been told it’s when the “ letters” and “ order for probate” have been given.

Do you ever take a listing prior to those being issued, with a “ contingent on” -letters- and order for probate being issued to execute the Exclusive Right To Sell Listing Agreement?

I was thinking maybe do a SELM and then have the listing “ go live’ once both the Letters & Order for probate have been approved by the court. I want to avoid taking it too early given the 90 day window to sell the property, but I also want to lock it in.

My answer:
Yes, I have in the past contracted with a personal representative that had not yet received their letters of administration. And, to do so, I write into the contract that it is contingent on them being appointed as the executor or administrator (whichever they would be). I don’t do this very often, perhaps once or twice a year.

Regarding the 90 days, in California we can have modifications of terms extending the listing up to 270 days before the probate courts would need to be involved.