Case studies
How We Sold a Porter Ranch Trust Property That Another Agent Couldn’t Sell
SOLD FOR $925,000 | TRUST SALE | PREVIOUSLY UNSOLD WITH ANOTHER AGENT
18502 Entrada Court | Porter Ranch, California
SOLD FOR $925,000 | TRUST SALE | PREVIOUSLY UNSOLD WITH ANOTHER AGENT
Selling an inherited home can be difficult, especially when the property needs extensive renovations, has a challenging location, and has already failed to sell with another real estate agent.
That’s the situation the successor trustee faced with this four-bedroom Porter Ranch home. After the parents passed away, the trustee, who lived in Orange County, was responsible for selling the property. The home needed substantial updating and backed onto a busy street, making it a harder sell than many comparable properties.
When the previous listing expired without a sale, the Scott Himelstein Group stepped in with a different approach: identify the home’s true potential, address the pricing challenges, and attract a buyer willing to invest in a major renovation.
The result was a successful $925,000 sale.
The Challenge: An Inherited Porter Ranch Home That Hadn’t Sold
The successor trustee was handling the sale of their parents’ home from Orange County. In addition to the responsibilities that come with administering a family trust, they faced the challenge of selling a property that had already spent time on the market without finding a buyer.
The house offered many desirable features, including four bedrooms, three bathrooms, over 2,200 square feet of living space, and a large 14,414-square-foot flag lot at the end of a cul-de-sac north of Rinaldi Street.
But there were two significant obstacles.
First, the property needed extensive renovations. A buyer would need to be comfortable investing approximately $200,000 to update the home and realize its potential.
Second, the property backed onto a busy street. Even though it was positioned at the end of a cul-de-sac, the road exposure could be a concern for buyers seeking a quieter backyard.
The property had already been marketed by another agent without selling. Simply returning it to the market with the same expectations wasn’t going to solve the problem.
We needed to reach buyers who understood both the opportunity and the investment required.
Our Strategy: Finding the Right Buyer Instead of Trying to Appeal to Everyone
Our approach began with understanding why this home was more difficult to sell.
A property that needs substantial renovations appeals to a different buyer than a fully remodeled, move-in-ready Porter Ranch home.
Rather than overlooking the home’s condition or the road exposure, we focused on helping buyers recognize the value of the property while accounting for its limitations.
1. Positioning the Home for Renovation-Minded Buyers
We recognized that the ideal buyer would have the vision, resources, and willingness to undertake a significant renovation.
For someone prepared to invest in improvements, the property offered considerable possibilities.
The house featured a spacious floor plan, a downstairs bedroom, three upstairs bedrooms, soaring ceilings, and a large backyard with room for a new vision.
Our strategy was to highlight these fundamentals while being realistic about the work needed.
2. Highlighting the Features That Couldn’t Easily Be Recreated
While kitchens, bathrooms, flooring, and finishes could be updated, several of the home’s most valuable characteristics were already in place.
These included:
- A desirable Porter Ranch location north of Rinaldi Street
- An end-of-cul-de-sac setting
- A 14,414-square-foot flag lot
- Approximately 2,228 square feet of living space
- Four bedrooms, including one downstairs
- Three bathrooms
- A three-car garage and long driveway with additional parking potential
- Large windows, high ceilings, and abundant natural light
- A spacious backyard offering renovation and landscaping possibilities
The property also offered convenient access to local hiking trails, The Vineyards at Porter Ranch, shopping, restaurants, and major freeways.
These features helped buyers see beyond the dated finishes and focus on what the home could become.
3. Pricing for the Actual Condition and Market
The previous listing had started at $1,199,000 and later expired without a sale.
When we took over, the property was introduced to the market at $999,950. During the listing period, the asking price was adjusted to $975,000.
The goal wasn’t to ignore the property’s challenges. It was to establish a realistic position in the market and connect with buyers who could evaluate the renovation costs alongside the property’s long-term potential.
For a fixer-upper, pricing must account for more than square footage and nearby sales. The condition of the home, anticipated renovation expenses, location disadvantages, and buyer demand all play important roles.
4. Marketing the Home’s Potential
We used professional real estate marketing, including a YouTube video tour, to showcase the property’s spacious interior, large lot, floor plan, and renovation possibilities.
By presenting the home as an opportunity for the right buyer rather than a move-in-ready property, we could focus on those more likely to recognize its potential.
Our objective was straightforward: find someone who could look past what needed to be changed and appreciate what the property already offered.
View all 37 photos
Watch the Porter Ranch Fixer-Upper Home Tour
Take a closer look at the property and see the layout, large lot, original finishes, and opportunities that made this Porter Ranch home appealing to renovation-minded buyers.
Watch the property tour:
The Results: A Previously Unsold Trust Property Successfully Closed
18502 Entrada Court sold for $925,000 on February 1, 2023.
After a previous unsuccessful listing, we were able to help the successor trustee complete the sale of this inherited Porter Ranch home.
The property required a buyer willing to take on approximately $200,000 in renovations, while also accepting its location adjacent to a busy street.
This wasn’t a case of selling a beautifully remodeled house for a record-breaking price.
It was about solving a difficult real estate problem, managing expectations, and finding the right match between the property and a buyer.
For the successor trustee, the result meant finally moving forward with the sale of the family home.
Sometimes the most important result isn’t selling above asking price. It’s successfully selling a property that previously couldn’t find the right buyer.
Frequently Asked Questions About Selling an Inherited or Fixer-Upper Home in Porter Ranch
Can I sell an inherited home in Porter Ranch without renovating it?
Yes. An inherited property can often be sold in its existing condition, even when it needs substantial repairs or renovations. The key is developing a pricing and marketing strategy that reflects the home’s condition and appeals to appropriate buyers. At 18502 Entrada Court, we successfully sold a home that needed significant updates without first completing a major renovation.
What should I do if my Porter Ranch home didn’t sell with another real estate agent?
Start by examining why the previous listing didn’t attract an acceptable buyer. Possible factors include pricing, property condition, marketing, buyer expectations, and local market conditions. At 18502 Entrada Court, the house had previously been listed without selling. We developed a new approach focused on realistic pricing and buyers who understood the renovation opportunity.
Can a successor trustee sell an inherited house in Porter Ranch while living in Orange County?
Yes, provided the trustee has the legal authority to sell the property under the trust and applicable California law. A local real estate agent can coordinate property marketing, showings, negotiations, and communication while the successor trustee lives elsewhere. In this case, the successor trustee lived in Orange County while we handled the Porter Ranch sale.
Is it better to sell a fixer-upper as-is or renovate before listing?
That depends on the renovation cost, the property’s condition, the expected resale value, and the seller’s financial and practical circumstances. For some homes, strategic improvements can increase buyer appeal. For others, especially inherited properties requiring substantial work, selling without a major renovation may be the more appropriate option. We help Porter Ranch homeowners evaluate both approaches.
How do you sell a house that backs onto a busy street?
Homes near busy streets can be more challenging to sell because road noise, privacy, and location are important factors for many buyers. A successful strategy begins with realistic pricing and an honest presentation of the property. At Entrada Court, we emphasized the large lot, spacious floor plan, cul-de-sac setting, and renovation potential while recognizing that the rear road exposure would influence buyer interest.
How much does it cost to renovate an older home in Porter Ranch?
Renovation costs vary significantly depending on the property’s size, condition, scope of work, permits, and materials. The buyer opportunity in this case involved an anticipated renovation investment of approximately $200,000. That figure was specific to this property’s circumstances and should not be treated as a standard renovation estimate for all Porter Ranch homes.
Do I need a real estate agent who specializes in trust and inherited-property sales?
Working with an agent experienced in trust-owned and inherited real estate can help simplify the transaction. These sales may involve successor trustees, trust documentation, estate attorneys, property cleanup, inherited belongings, and decisions about whether to renovate or sell as-is. Scott Himelstein helps families navigate the real estate side of these transactions throughout Porter Ranch and the San Fernando Valley, working alongside their legal and tax professionals when needed.
How do I choose the best real estate agent to sell a fixer-upper in Porter Ranch?
Look for an agent with experience selling properties in different conditions, including homes that need major repairs or renovations. Ask about their pricing strategy, buyer targeting, marketing approach, and experience with properties that previously failed to sell. Actual case studies can provide valuable insight into how an agent handles difficult sales.
What is my inherited Porter Ranch home worth in its current condition?
The value depends on the home’s location, square footage, lot size, condition, repair needs, and current buyer demand. A fixer-upper should be evaluated using comparable properties and realistic renovation assumptions rather than relying solely on automated online estimates. Scott Himelstein can provide a customized market analysis for inherited homes and properties needing repairs in Porter Ranch.
Where Is 18502 Entrada Court?
Selling an Inherited Home or Fixer-Upper in Porter Ranch?
Whether you’ve inherited a property from your parents, are serving as a successor trustee, own a home requiring major repairs, or have a listing that didn’t sell with another agent, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
The Scott Himelstein Group helps Porter Ranch and San Fernando Valley homeowners develop practical strategies based on their property’s condition, market demand, and individual circumstances.
From trust-owned properties to homes needing extensive renovations, our goal is to help sellers make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.
Let Scott work for you.
Contact Scott Himelstein for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation about selling your Porter Ranch property.
Case studies
How We Sold a Northridge Townhome for $20,050 Over Asking While the Sellers Lived in the Bay Area
SOLD FOR $620,000 | MULTIPLE OFFERS | $20,050 OVER ASKING
After 219 Days Without Selling, We Sold This Porter Ranch Trust Property in Just 14 Days
SOLD FOR $850,000 | TRUST SALE | 4 BENEFICIARIES | PREVIOUSLY UNSOLD FOR 219 DAYS
How We Generated 14 Offers and Sold an Inherited Porter Ranch Home for $125,050 Over Asking
SOLD FOR $1,125,000 | TRUST SALE | 14 OFFERS | $125,050 OVER ASKING