Who Ed works with
Trustees and executors
You have a duty to the beneficiaries and a house to sell, often from a distance. Ed handles the property so you can handle the estate.
Attorneys and fiduciaries
Valuations your file can rely on, including date-of-death values, and consultation or testimony when a matter goes to court.
Conservators
A sale conducted with the care, documentation and accounting a conservatorship requires.
Families
Selling a parent's home is an emotional sale. Ed has helped many families through it, and knows when to slow down.
What Ed does
The same five steps every time, from the evaluation the attorney needs to the record the estate keeps.
- 01
Evaluation
A written opinion of value for the estate, including a date-of-death valuation when the attorney or accountant needs one. Complimentary, with no obligation.
- 02
Preparing the property
Ed orchestrates the removal of personal property, arranges estate sales, cleaning, painting, carpeting and whatever else readies the home for market.
- 03
Marketing
Estate listings get the full program every Ed Stephens listing gets: photography, video, a property website, and Coldwell Banker Global Luxury's reach to agents and buyers worldwide.
- 04
Offers and the sale
Negotiation for the highest price the market will pay, with the paperwork and timelines a trust, probate or conservatorship sale requires.
- 05
Closing and accounting
A clean close and a record of the sale for the estate's files. Ed's commission schedule is competitive and flexible.
Evaluations that stand up to scrutiny
Executors, attorneys and conservators carry a duty of care. A valuation they rely on has to survive review by beneficiaries, courts and tax authorities, and Ed writes his to that standard.
Date-of-death and estate valuations
For trust administration, probate, conservatorships and tax reporting. Complimentary for fiduciaries and their counsel.
Expert witness consultation and testimony
Research, consultation and testimony in tax, litigation, divorce and business matters that turn on what a property is worth.
“He recently helped my sister and I sell our family home after my mom's passing. He listened to us carefully and helped us get through an emotional sale. He made it easier for our family.”
Jan EastmanAll testimonials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a trust sale and a probate sale?
A trust sale is handled by the trustee under the trust's terms and usually needs no court involvement. A probate sale is supervised by the court, which can add steps and time. Ed has handled both and will tell you early which path applies and what it means for the timeline.
Do we have to clear out the house before it can be listed?
No. Ed arranges the removal of personal property, estate sales and donations, then the cleaning and repairs. Families decide what to keep; Ed's people handle the rest.
Can Ed work with our attorney or accountant?
Yes, and he prefers to. He has worked with Peninsula estate attorneys, CPAs and fiduciaries for decades, and will coordinate valuations, timelines and paperwork with them directly.
What does an estate evaluation cost?
Nothing. Market, trust, probate, conservator and date-of-death evaluations are complimentary, with no obligation to list.
We live out of the area. Does that matter?
Not for a property on the Peninsula. For one elsewhere, Ed has a network of experienced agents he can refer you to and will stay involved as much as you need.
Settling an estate on the Peninsula?
Start with a conversation. Ed will tell you what the property is worth, what it needs, and what the sale will involve, at no cost or obligation.
