
How Shore Town Property Ventures Helps Families Sell Probate Homes in Toms River
We’ve made it our mission to support families during life’s most challenging transitions. Here’s how we take the burden off your shoulders:
- Fair, Fast Cash Offers: We’ll present a competitive cash offer within 24–48 hours—no repairs or showings required.
- Local Expertise You Can Trust: As Jersey Shore locals, we know the ins and outs of the Toms River market and probate process.
- Virtual Closings Available: Managing an estate from out of state? No problem. We can close 100% remotely.
- Estate Sale Assistance: We’ll help coordinate estate sales so your family can maximize the home’s remaining value.
- We Handle the Hard Stuff: From title issues and liens to clean-outs and legal coordination—we’ve got it covered.
- No Fees, No Commissions, No Closing Costs: What we offer is what you take home. No surprises.
Why Families in Probate Trust Shore Town Property Ventures
Executors across New Jersey choose us because we make the process simple. We offer clear guidance, handle the paperwork, and buy properties as-is—no cleanouts, repairs, or open houses required.
We’re direct buyers, so there are no commissions, no hidden fees, and we cover all closing costs. Whether the home is in great shape or needs work, we provide fair cash offers and flexible options, including programs that can put more money in your pocket.
Our goal is to help you move forward without the stress.
Our Simple Probate Home Sale Process
Step 1 – Contact Us
Call or fill out our short form. We’ll schedule a no-pressure conversation to learn about your situation.
Step 2 – Get a Fair Cash Offer
We’ll evaluate the property and provide a transparent, as-is offer—no repairs or clean-up needed.
Step 3 – Choose Your Closing Date
We close on your schedule—fast or flexible—whichever works best for you and your family.
Step 4 – Move Forward With Confidence
We’ll handle the paperwork and process, so you can focus on what matters most—healing and family.
The Shore Town Property Ventures Difference: We’re Invested in You and Your Community
Founded by a former mortgage lender turned local home renovation expert, Shore Town Property Ventures was built on the belief that real estate is about people, not just properties. We’re not a national chain. We’re your neighbors. And we’re proud to reinvest in Toms River by transforming inherited homes into beautiful spaces for new families to grow.
Q&A:
Can a House Be Sold While in Probate?
Yes. In New Jersey, once the Surrogate’s Court issues Letters Testamentary (for executors) or Letters of Administration (for administrators if there is no will), the estate has the legal authority to sell the decedent’s property—including real estate.
This means the executor or administrator can:
- List the property for sale
- Accept offers
- Sign contracts
- Complete the closing
No court approval is required to sell the house in most standard probate cases once those documents are issued, unless there is a dispute among heirs or an issue with the estate itself.
What Does It Take to Sell a House in New Jersey While in Probate?
In New Jersey, once the Surrogate’s Court issues Letters Testamentary (if there is a will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no will), the executor or administrator has full legal authority to sell real estate owned by the estate. Court approval is generally not required beyond that point unless there is a dispute or special circumstance.
Selling a home during probate is extremely common. Sometimes it’s done to pay off outstanding debts like medical bills, credit cards, or back taxes. Other times, the heirs may prefer to sell the property and divide the proceeds rather than take on the responsibilities of owning it.
Example Scenario
Let’s say an elderly woman passes away and names an executor in her will. She has two heirs. At the time of her passing:
- The home is worth $150,000
- There are no other cash assets
- She owes $80,000 in hospital bills and $10,000 in credit card debt
Since the estate owes a total of $90,000 and has no liquid funds, the executor has the authority to sell the home. After closing, the debts are paid from the sale proceeds, and the remaining $60,000 is distributed between the heirs.
What If There’s No Will or Immediate Heirs?
If someone passes away without a will and has no direct heirs, the court will appoint an administrator to manage the estate. The property may be sold, and the proceeds distributed to the closest living relatives under New Jersey’s intestate succession laws, such as siblings, nieces, nephews, or cousins.
Decide How to Sell the Property
Once you’ve received Letters Testamentary (or Letters of Administration if there is no will), you have the legal authority to sell any real estate held in the estate. Here’s what that process typically looks like in New Jersey:
🥇 Step 1: Decide How You Want to Sell
The first step is deciding how you want to approach the sale. As the executor, your role is to preserve the estate’s value and choose the path that best fits the property’s condition, your timeline, and the needs of any heirs.
Here are your options:
- ✅ Sell directly to a local cash buyer – the fastest and simplest option. No cleanouts, no repairs, no showings. We handle everything and pay all closing costs.
- 🏠 List the property with a real estate agent – this may result in a higher sale price, but often involves cleaning, staging, repairs, inspections, buyer financing delays, and commissions. After all those added costs and time, you may walk away with more… or you may not.
- 🔁 Explore creative or partnership strategies – helpful in unique situations where the home has potential for added value under the right terms.
If the property is dated, vacant, or needs work, a direct sale may be the most efficient route. If it’s market-ready and you’re in no rush, listing could be worth considering—but it’s important to look at the full picture before deciding.
🥈 Step 2: Determine the Property’s Value
Once you’ve chosen how you’d like to sell, the next step is figuring out what the property is worth. This might involve:
- A formal appraisal if required by the estate or for tax reporting
- A valuation from a trusted buyer (like us) who can provide a no-cost, no-obligation cash offer
- Consulting a real estate agent if you plan to list the property traditionally
In New Jersey, there is no requirement to sell at a certain percentage of the appraised value; however, pricing correctly helps avoid disputes among heirs and ensures transparency in probate.
🥉 Step 3: Review and Accept Offers
Once offers come in, you’ll want to weigh them against your goals:
- Is a fast closing more important than top dollar?
- Are you trying to avoid repairs and cleanouts?
- Do all heirs agree on how to proceed?
As the executor, you have the authority to select the offer that best serves the estate. Just ensure clear communication with any co-heirs to avoid disputes.
✅ Step 4: Complete the Sale
When an offer is accepted:
- You’ll sign the contract on behalf of the estate
- The buyer proceeds with title and closing preparations
- Sale proceeds are deposited into the estate account to pay debts or distribute to heirs
Unless there is a formal objection, New Jersey probate does not require court approval of the sale once the executor is appointed—making this process faster than in many other states.
Want a Faster, Easier Option?
At Shore Town Property Ventures, we specialize in buying probate homes as-is with no commissions, cleanouts, or closing costs. We guide you through every step of the process, so you can focus on what matters most.
Mistakes to Avoid When Selling a Probate Property
Selling a home during probate can be overwhelming—but avoiding these common mistakes can save time, reduce stress, and protect the estate’s value.
⏳ 1. Waiting Too Long to Start the Probate Process
Delays often cost more than people expect. While grieving is important, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance don’t stop. Letting these expenses pile up can quickly eat away at the estate’s equity.
Tip: Open the estate early. This gives you flexibility and keeps the property protected—financially and physically.
🧾 2. Confusion About Disclosure Requirements
If you never lived in the home, you may not know what to disclose to buyers—and that’s okay. In probate cases, the executor is often exempt from standard disclosure forms, but basic known defects still need to be shared.
Tip: Work with someone who understands how to navigate these situations. We know what’s required—and what isn’t—to keep your sale on track and protect you legally.
🛠️ 3. Thinking You Need to Fix the Property Before Selling
Many heirs assume they need to clean out or repair the house before they can sell—but this isn’t necessary. Trying to coordinate contractors or remove personal items can be time-consuming and emotionally exhausting.
Tip: You can sell the home exactly as-is, even with everything inside. No cleanout. No repairs. No stress. We’ll handle all of that.
⚖️ 4. Letting Family Disagreements Delay the Sale
When multiple heirs are involved, decision-making can become complicated. Different opinions about what to do with the home can stall the process—and every month of delay adds more costs to the estate.
Tip: As the executor, you’re responsible for acting in the best interest of the estate. Having a fair offer and a straightforward process often helps everyone move forward with less friction.
What Does it Take to Sell a House in Toms River While in Probate?
An executor’s main responsibility is to preserve the estate’s assets for distribution to any Heirs or beneficiaries, as outlined in the will. Sometimes a situation might occur where the estate owes a large amount of debt to creditors or the property has been neglected and back taxes are owed to the government. In this situation, the executor of the estate, the administrator, or the Court is allowed to sell the property to settle all debts, even if there are Heirs.
A good example of this is an elderly woman who passes away with an executor for her estate to manage her affairs. She has two Heirs. By the time she dies, she has racked up both hospital and credit card debt to the amount of $90,000. She leaves a home worth $150,000 but no cash assets and owes $80,000 to the hospital and $10,000 in credit card debt. Despite having passed, the estate still must find a way to pay off these debts. If the Heirs are unable to cover the debt themselves, the executor will need to sell the property to pay off the $90,000 of debt. Once the house is sold, the remaining $60,000 would be divided between the two Heirs.
A property in probate may also be sold if the person died with no will and there are no immediate Heirs. In this situation, the Courts can order the property to be sold and any profits distributed to the closest relatives
Who Buys Houses in Probate?
We do! Shore Town Property Ventures is a direct house buying company that has built our reputation on buying houses for cash with less stress and less fees. Contact us today and get a competitive cash offer for that house or property that’s stuck in probate. We buy homes in any condition. We can help you with the convoluted process of selling a house in probate, making the process faster and as stress-free as possible.
Get an offer for your home
Who Buys Houses in Probate?
We do! Shore Town Property Ventures is a direct house buying company that has built our reputation on buying houses for cash with less stress and less fees. Contact us today and get a competitive cash offer for that house or property that’s stuck in probate. We buy homes in any condition. We can help you with the convoluted process of selling a house in probate, making the process faster and as stress-free as possible.