Lafayette · Probate & Trust
Probate and Trust Sales in Lafayette
Real experience selling a family home after a parent's passing, handled with the compassion those situations actually need.
Probate and Trust Sales in Lafayette, What You Get
An inherited Lafayette home has often been in one family for decades, sometimes on a large lot that hasn't been fully maintained in years. As executor or trustee, you have a duty to get a fair price, and in a fire zone the sale may also need a defensible space inspection. I hold the CREDS certification for this kind of sale.
You get a real number, a clear plan, and someone who respects what the house means to your family.
Curious what your home is worth?
Get a real number for your specific street. No obligation.
Get My Free Home ValueOr call/text (415) 722-0472
Or read how we do it, step by stepWhy Lafayette Executors and Trustees Choose Tanja Odzak
A past East Bay seller wrote that I "was very sensitive to the fact that the property became available as a result of the loss of parents." I bring that same care to every estate sale, along with real comps and close coordination with the attorney or trustee.
Our Probate and Trust Sale Process in Lafayette, What to Expect
We start with where the estate stands: timeline, heirs, and what the court or trust requires. Then: comps for similar homes and lots, a walkthrough to decide what's worth fixing, an early fire zone check and inspection request, and coordination with the attorney so paperwork moves on schedule.
The full method is on how I sell a home.
Local Context & Proof for Lafayette
Long-held Lafayette homes often need work on the house and the land: overgrown vegetation, aging roofs and systems, and drainage on sloped lots. Knowing the list early helps you price with confidence. In September 2026, the median single-family sale price in Lafayette was $1,925,000 across 27 sales, a market-wide figure and not a value for any one property (source: Bridge MLS).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need probate to sell an inherited house in California?
It depends on how title was held. A home in a living trust usually skips probate, while a home passed by will, or without a will, often needs it. Your probate attorney will tell you which applies.
How long does probate take before I can sell?
Even a simple California probate usually runs many months, and disputes add more time. Trust sales are often faster. I plan the listing around whatever timeline your attorney sets.
What is court confirmation, and what is overbidding?
Some probate sales need a judge to approve the accepted offer at a hearing, where another buyer can bid higher. It adds time and some uncertainty, so I explain it to the family and to buyers at the start.
What is a stepped-up basis?
For federal tax purposes, an inherited home usually takes a new basis equal to its value at the date of death, which can reduce the taxable gain on a sale. A tax professional can confirm it for your estate.
Does an estate sale in Lafayette need a defensible space inspection?
If the home is in a High or Very High fire hazard severity zone, the state's rule applies to the sale, and Contra Costa County Fire does the inspections. An overgrown lot may need clearing first, so I check the zone right away.
Do we need to fix the house before listing?
Not always. Many estates sell as-is with full disclosure. I recommend an inspection so we price accurately, and we decide together which repairs, if any, will pay off.
Curious what your home is worth?
Get a real number for your specific street. No obligation.
Get My Free Home ValueOr call/text (415) 722-0472
Or read how we do it, step by stepLafayette
What probate & trust looks like in Lafayette
Lafayette sits in a valley in the Contra Costa hills, just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, with a small-town downtown surrounded by wooded, hillside neighborhoods.
Lafayette sits in a valley in the Contra Costa hills, just east of the Caldecott Tunnel, with a small-town downtown surrounded by wooded, hillside neighborhoods. It's one of the more rural-feeling cities in the East Bay despite being minutes from Walnut Creek and BART, which is a big part of its appeal.
Lafayette's neighborhoods range from streets close to downtown to larger properties up in the hills, where lot size and privacy tend to matter as much as square footage. The city is known for its top-rated schools and a more spacious feel than Oakland or Berkeley.
- The homes
- Lafayette's housing stock leans toward larger, single-family homes on generous lots, ranch homes and custom builds in the hills, along with a smaller supply of townhomes and condos closer to downtown and BART.
- Why people choose it
- Whether you're looking for more space and a bigger lot, or you're a longtime owner wondering what your hillside property is really worth.
The method
