8 siblings. 3 Realtors. 1 family home.
Oct 16, 20268 siblings. 3 Realtors. 1 family home.
The Challenge
Selling a longtime family home can be complicated enough. Add 8 brothers and sisters, each with their own perspectives, expectations, and concerns, and the process takes on an entirely different dimension.
The Interviews
When Leland Wardell and his family decided to sell their family home, they interviewed 3 Realtors.
What ultimately influenced their decision?
Reason 1: The Roadmap
According to Leland, the first factor was a detailed roadmap for preparing, improving, marketing, and selling the property, including a contractor who could bring the house back to like-new condition.
Reason 2: The Personality
The second was the personality of the person who would be working with the family. In Leland’s words, it was a personality that “could gel with the 8 of us.” The family walked away feeling taken care of.
Why It Matters
That second consideration is easy to underestimate. A successful family home sale requires more than an understanding of property values, marketing, and negotiations. It can require patience, communication, diplomacy, and the ability to keep multiple people moving toward a common objective.
For Attorneys and Fiduciaries
For attorneys, professional fiduciaries, and successor trustees, selecting the right real estate broker can be as much about managing the process as marketing the property.
The Takeaway
After decades in Silicon Valley real estate, I believe one principle deserves more attention. The more complicated the circumstances surrounding a sale, the more important the preparation and the people involved.
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