When someone dies and leaves a home behind, nobody hands the family a manual. Here is a plain guide to the real estate side of the first 30 days.
Your first call about the house
- 20+ years of Brooklyn and NYC real estate experience
- Free preliminary comps and a detailed CMA for families and attorneys
- Third-party vendors coordinated, so you make one call
Key takeaways
- Find the will and call an estate attorney.
- Secure the home and call the insurer.
- Do not sign, discard or give away anything yet.
- Keep carrying costs from falling behind.
Need a value for the estate property?
Free preliminary comps and a detailed CMA, coordinated with your attorney.
The estate sale journey
Death notificationVerify and gather records
Inventory assetsIdentify the property and costs
Court hearingsYour attorney handles the court
Property valuationComps and market analysis
Strategic marketingQualified buyers, once authorized
ClosingTitle, debts and distribution
See each stage in our Brooklyn probate and estate sale process.
Who we can coordinate at the property this month
Vendors are independent third parties. We coordinate them, and the person with legal authority decides what gets done.
Who to call first
| Who to call | Why |
|---|---|
| Estate attorney | Court papers and authority to act |
| Insurance carrier | Coverage can change when a home is vacant |
| Accountant | Date of death value and tax questions |
| Licensed broker | Market analysis and property logistics |
Avoid costly mistakes
This week
- Get several certified copies of the death certificate.
- Find the original will, if there is one, along with the deed, mortgage statements, tax bills and insurance policy.
- Call an estate attorney. In most estates, only a court-appointed fiduciary can act for the estate. Your attorney will confirm who that is.
- Secure the home. If it is empty, make sure doors and windows are locked and that you know who holds keys.
- Call the insurance company. Many policies change when a home becomes vacant.
Before you share details: we are real estate brokers, not attorneys or tax advisors. Legal, court and tax questions belong with your attorney, accountant and tax advisor.
What not to touch yet
- Do not sign a contract or accept a deposit until your attorney confirms who has authority to sell.
- Do not throw away papers. Bills, deeds and old statements can matter.
- Do not give away or sell contents until your attorney says you can.
- Do not change locks or shut off utilities if anyone is living there. Speak with your attorney first.
Weeks two to four
- Keep mortgage, property tax, insurance and utility payments from falling behind, and ask your attorney how they should be paid.
- Take dated photos of every room for your records.
- Ask your attorney whether the estate goes through the Kings County Surrogate’s Court at 2 Johnson Street, and what papers are needed.
- Get a sense of value. Your attorney or accountant may require a formal date of death appraisal.
Where a broker fits
A broker does not replace your attorney. We can provide a market analysis, coordinate cleanouts, locksmiths and security, and prepare the property for sale once the person with authority is ready.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean out the house now?
Ask your attorney first. Papers and contents may be estate assets.
Do I need an appraisal?
Often, for estate or tax purposes. Ask your attorney or accountant.
Can I live far away and still handle this?
Yes. Many executors manage the property side remotely.
Helpful public resources
NY Courts: fiduciary responsibilities | ACRIS property records
The Brooklyn Probate Sale Roadmap
- Secure the property. Keep insurance and utilities active and protect a vacant home.
- Get court authority. Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the Kings County Surrogate's Court.
- Value the property. Free preliminary comps and a detailed CMA.
- Prepare and market. Only the repairs that pay back, then open market or private outreach.
- Close with your attorney. Contract, any court approval and closing follow your attorney's direction.
More Guides for Executors and Heirs
Talk to Mendy Realty About the Estate Property
Tell us about the property and your role in the estate. We will reply with preliminary comps and a clear plan. Prefer to talk? Call 718-751-0738 or WhatsApp 646-662-5454.
Mendy Realty Inc. is a licensed New York real estate broker and court approved fiduciary (FID 107645). We are not attorneys, accountants or tax advisors, and this article is not legal or tax advice. Please consult your estate attorney, accountant and tax advisor.
