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A Piece of Cake....HA!

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) DRE# 00949880

     Some transactions are a piece of cake...Ha!  This one was not.  Everything about this transaction really happened, except one thing.  What did not happen?

     One of my closest friends, Mark, was raised in this home and I spent a lot of time visiting him back in 1970 something.  It is a very cute home in Stockton, CA with a large yard.  It was built in 1947 and it looked almost exactly the same in 2017 as it did when we were in high school.  In other words, it needed some love.  Mark reached out to me in late 2017.  His step father had passed away and he needed to sell this house.  Here were some of the challenges.

  • There was no will and there was 16 heirs.  The sale would need court approval and approval of each of the heirs.  Did I mention almost every heir lived outside of CA.?  Only one of the heirs lived in the Bay Area.
  •  The house had over forty years worth of possessions in it.  The garage was full, floor to ceiling.  I think there were 3 pianos, all kinds of power tools, furniture, appliances, books, cloths, etc.  Family members removed took their keepsakes.  We had 3 or 4 estate sales, then we hired a contractor to throw away the rest.  We needed 3 large dumpsters. It was pretty sad to see so many memories go away.

Stockton garage               Backyard

  •  I had to hire a contractor to break into a safe, then figure out how to sell the contents, mostly old silver coins.  There was also a large, very old record collection to sell.  It turns out the silver had value, the records did not.  I should have kept the Burl Ives record.
  • There was an old, homemade, cinder block pool and spa in severe disrepair along the side of the house.

Records, lots of records               Cinder block pool and spa

  • The very cool roof was not certifiable.  The paper under the tile had gone bad.
  • There was no AC unit and the heater was only in the hallway.
  • There was a dead tree that decided to fall over one day and we had to hire the contractor to get another dumpster.
  • Once the dumpster went out front, everybody knew the house was vacant and we had almost nightly break ins.  It became so bad that we hired a security company to walk through the house every night.  Of course, they never found anyone in the house.  One day, I showed up to rap music being blasted from the back bedroom about 10 am.  I called the police and they showed up about 4 hours later, but about 3 hours after the call, the "house guests" decided to leave.  I just had to say something and I do have to admit, it may not of been polite.  Big mistake, one of the "guests" spun around and the pepper spray was half way too me before I knew what was happening.  I was actually kind of pretty, but YIKES!  It just missed.  The police were not interested in the pictures I took of our "house guests."  It was only considered trespassing so c'est la vie.

                                                              Houseguest

 

  •  During the listing period, doors and windows were broken, junk was left in the house and we found numerous crack pipes.  At least, I think they were crack pipes.

I just do not remember learning about this stuff in Real Estate 101.  The house did sell relatively quickly.  I was glad that I was able to manage it all for Mark.   He had enough to work through on his own and it was a tough time for him and his family.  This all started in 2017 and the court room work  wrapped up for Mark in late 2019.  It is a good reminder that we all need to get our affairs in order.  It makes life so much easier for our heirs.

Thank you Carol Williams  and Anna Kruchten for this month's ActiveRain Challenge.  Now, my challenge to everyone, which event did not happen?

If you need help getting your home ready to sell, give me a call.  I would be glad to help.  916-698-8414

 

Mark

Owner/Brewmaster Kaktus Brewing

I hired Ray to sell a house for me in Stockton. It was a house owned by my Step-Father, who had passed away, without a will or clear instructions on what he wanted done. The house went through probate with 16 beneficiaries. Ray worked with the lawyer guiding the estate through probate and interacted with several beneficiaries. He was great, he made the whole process understandable and ultimately proved invaluable in getting the house sold. With every new problem we had, he found a solution so we could move on and get across the goal line. I could not recommend Ray enough, he is a Realtor with broad knowledge and integrity. He is the best that I have worked with.  More Reach 150 Testimonials
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

Posted by

             eXp Realty of California, Inc

Raymond Henson, SRES, GRI, e-Pro

Past Client Testimonials   

3412 Babson Drive

Elk Grove, CA 95758

RayRHenson@gmail.com

916-698-8415

 

 

Comments (29)

Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Myrl Jeffcoat and Brian England thank you for stopping by.  Any ideas on which item I made up? 

Dec 31, 2019 07:46 AM
Brian England

The cops not interested in the trespasser?

Dec 31, 2019 07:50 AM
Ray Henson

The police were not interested at all.  I mentioned breaking and entering and they told me that was not the case.  I was simple tresspassing.  If they caught someone in the house, they would give them a stern talking to and send them on there way.  I had another listing were we actually caught a guy in the backyard.  He had his stuff in the house and stuff from other houses with his name on it and nothing.  It can be very frustrating.

Dec 31, 2019 08:23 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Good morning, Carol Williams .  Those were very good guesses.  The pepper spray was a surprise and true.  I learned keeping space is very important and I learned it maybe good to just let the miscreants just walk away.  There could have been a gun involved.

I was also shocked to learn that a house I spent so much time in never had ac.  Summers in Stockton can get very hot.  And yes, there was only one heater in the hallway.  In the living room was a fireplace.  I made something else up. 

Thank you for playing!  Happy New Year! 

Dec 31, 2019 07:51 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Wello good for you Raymond,  You got the worst one out of the way and now it will be smooth sailing for the next 100 deals.  Happy New Year.

 

Dec 31, 2019 09:02 AM
Gloria Todor
Premier Property Sales & Rentals - Springfield, PA
& Doug Durren (484) 431-3686 in SE PA

Oh my Raymond, 16 heirs!  And a full house!  Wow!  No not something we learned in RE 101.  You did it though!  Thanks for sharing!

Dec 31, 2019 09:23 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

 Will Hamm,   Happy New Year!

Gloria Todor, Maybe we should start are own Real Estate class.  Happy New Year!  

Dec 31, 2019 10:21 AM
Gloria Todor

Raymond the stories we could share with our students!  Happy New Year and on to gathering more stories!

Dec 31, 2019 10:25 AM
Ray Henson

I am ready for lots of 2020 stories!

Jan 01, 2020 04:04 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

OMG Raymond when I heard 16 heirs I knew it would be a nightmare. And with all the other issues.......I don't believe I've had anything close to that challenging.  You are a kind and caring man to help out your friend Mark and I am sure he so appreciated it.

 

And....Happy Birthday to your wife - from another Christmas Time baby!!  Glad you two celebrated in Hawaii!  Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2019 10:52 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you Anna Banana Kruchten CRB, CRS and Happy Birthday to you!

Any time I have a friend approach me about helping them, especially when it is a long time family home, I am humbled that they would trust me with their home.  That makes the work much easier.

Dec 31, 2019 11:45 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Raymond,  Wow, you really had to work through some issues with this house.  Glad things finally worked out in the end.  I think the thing you made up is the number of heirs.  16 is an awful lot - not too far out, but more than the usual.

Dec 31, 2019 12:30 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Bob Crane, good guess, but there were 16 heirs and that did not include Mark because he was the step son.  Happy New Year!

Dec 31, 2019 04:02 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Raymond-wow- some transactions will have one of the many issues you mentioned above but you hit the jackpot with this one!!!!   All I can say is thank goodness your friend could count on you to see this through. 

Dec 31, 2019 06:21 PM
Ray Henson

I feel fortunate that he trusted me enough to let me help.  Thank you for stopping by.

Jan 01, 2020 07:47 AM
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

The tree falling? Did you make that up? Like if a tree falls in the forest and no one is there is the man still wrong? Or something like that.... 

16 heirs.... but you were probably lucky they werent in the area That would have been even worse!

Jan 01, 2020 12:45 AM
Ray Henson

Good guess, you are correct.  In this case, if a tree does not fall, can you still hear it? 

Jan 01, 2020 07:49 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

What a story! You truly ARE a good friend and what you did to get this place sold was above and beyond! I do find it odd that "police were not interested in the pictures," of the trespassers. Was that part true? 

Nonetheless this was definitely a challenge and you are a true blue good friend! Congratulations on the sale!

 

Jan 01, 2020 05:16 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Debra LeisekYou are 100% correct!  There was a dead tree that was leaning precariously over the street, but some great neighbors banded together to cut it down.   One neighbor across the street even tried to go through the house each morning and send whoever was there on their way.  Great neighbors!

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP  The police were very disinterested.  I even called the non-emergency number numerous times when people broke into the home.  They basically told me to stop calling.  I do not hold it against them.  The laws in CA make it difficult for them to do anything.  I was more irritated with the security company.  They were not very helpful at all. 

Jan 01, 2020 07:45 AM
Debra Leisek

That is really wonderful the neighbors were so good!  Glad they helped along the way!

Jan 01, 2020 10:59 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Wow!  This is quite a story to share. They were smart to select you as the listing agent.

Jan 17, 2020 05:51 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you, Roy Kelley.  It was quite an adventure, for sure. 

Jan 17, 2020 05:58 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Have a great day and an outstanding weekend.

We have a sunny but cold day in Maryland. Snow is predicted for Saturday.

Jan 17, 2020 06:14 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Raymond:

That was quite a story, and certainly far more complicated than any transaction I have dealt with. Glad it all finally worked out!!

Jeff

Jan 18, 2020 04:36 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you Jeff Dowler, CRS.  There were times I was a little worried, but we all just kept plugging away. 

Jan 19, 2020 03:55 AM
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

Sounds like a script for a movie, Raymond Henson ... one with lots of twists and turns.  Kudos to you for being such a supportive and helpful friend ... and on a very challenging, but successful transaction ...

Gene

 
Jan 21, 2020 02:40 PM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you, Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi.  All we need to do now is find the right actor to play me in the movie.  

Jan 22, 2020 01:39 PM