Attorney Real Estate Partnerships
Bring Real Estate Matters to a Clean Close
Russell Real Estate Group acts as your dedicated real estate arm. We manage valuation, access, cleanup, marketing, contract compliance, and closing coordination so the property moves efficiently, in compliance with court requirements, and with a defensible record. You stay focused on legal strategy and resolution. We deliver a documented closing.
Who We Serve
We work with attorneys and court-appointed professionals across Seattle and Washington state, including:
⚖ Chapter 7, 11, & 13 Bankruptcy attorneys and trustees
⚖ Probate and estate litigators
⚖ Guardians ad litem and professional guardians
⚖ Trustees and fiduciaries
⚖ Counsel handling partition actions, judgments, and court-ordered dispositions
⚖ Family law and dissolution counsel
Most of our work comes through repeat referrals. Attorneys bring us the order and the file. We move the real estate to closing.
Two Clear Paths for Guardian-Directed Sales
Every guardianship/property file fits into one of two tracks. We help you determine the right one and execute accordingly.
Retail Listing: Maximum Exposure and Market Value
For matters where time, access, and condition support a full market launch, a retail listing creates the widest buyer pool and often delivers the strongest financial outcome for the protected individual.
We manage the complete process, including:
⌂ Property preparation guidance based on condition and budget
⌂ Coordinating minor repairs or safety improvements when approved
⌂ Professional photography and compliant marketing
⌂ Managing showings, buyer screening, and communication
⌂ Navigating offers, timelines, and required court approvals
⌂ Overseeing inspections, appraisals, and closing milestones
A retail approach is best when the property can be safely accessed, presented to the market without hazard, and marketed within the time allowed by the order. It maximizes exposure while still adhering to all court requirements and documentation standards.
As-Is Investor Sale: Fastest Path to Resolution
Best when:
☑ The property is unsafe, inaccessible, or heavily damaged
☑ Financing is unlikely due to condition
☑ The guardian needs certainty and speed
☑ Deadlines imposed by the court or third parties restrict marketing
We manage:
⌂ Vetted investor placement
⌂ Minimal-contingency timelines
⌂ Occupant coordination
⌂ Hazard cleanup
⌂ Documented as-is condition reporting
⌂ Closing logistics designed for court review
Both paths include full lien resolution, title and escrow coordination, and settlement statement alignment so approved fees appear for payment at closing.
Matters We Handle
We specialize exclusively in real estate tied to active or pending legal matters, including:
Pre-foreclosure and foreclosure
Short sales and lender negotiations
Probate, estate, and fiduciary sales
Court-ordered dispositions (divorce, partition, judgments)
Bankruptcy sales under Chapter 7, 11, or 13
Guardianship and conservatorship sales
REO and distressed property dispositions
Many of these properties have title issues, hazardous conditions, occupant problems, or limited equity. That’s the work we are built for.
CASE STUDY
Foreclosure Avoided and Equity Preserved: Everett Estate Case
Snapshot
We negotiated a foreclosure extension with the bank, marketed the property as-is, secured a buyer in under two weeks, and closed in a way that preserved equity and allowed the estate to meet its obligations.
Seller Net: $90,000+
As-is sale completed in 13 days
The Challenge
After the veteran husband died, the surviving spouse and family could not pay the mortgage. The loan went unpaid for 20 months, creating $40,000 in arrears and leaving nearly $350,000 owed to the bank. Foreclosure timelines were active and the estate risked losing equity needed to satisfy debts and beneficiaries.
Ongoing liability for an estate while occupants remain on the property.
Escalating expenses (mortgage interest, attorney fees, potential property damage).
Potential delays and reputational risk if mishandled.
How We Helped
1. Lender Negotiation and Foreclosure Extension
We worked directly with the mortgage servicer to negotiate an extension of the foreclosure timeline, creating a narrow but critical window to sell the property rather than lose it at auction.
2. As-Is Marketing and Fast Buyer Placement
We positioned the home for an as-is sale, targeting buyers capable of closing without contingencies. A purchase and sale agreement was secured after only 13 days on the market.
3. Delayed Possession for Estate Stability
We negotiated a 14 day delayed possession, allowing the seller time to access necessary funds and coordinate other estate obligations without rushing or risking default at closing.
4. Clean Closing That Preserved Estate Equity
The transaction closed smoothly, satisfying the lender and resolving the foreclosure while protecting the estate’s remaining equity.
View Property Images
Clear intake and authority review
Retail or as-is investor execution based on the file
Coordination of access, occupants, cleanup, and repairs
Concise status updates suitable for the court record
Court-aligned valuation and pricing strategy
Lien, utility, and title issue resolution
Escrow coordination and settlement statement alignment
What Partnership Looks Like
We act as an extension of your practice for the real estate portion of the file. Our role is to remove bottlenecks, manage risk, and deliver a clean closing that supports case resolution. You can expect:
Approved legal fees are reflected on the settlement statement and paid at closing whenever permissible, subject to court approval and case specifics.
How Legal Fees are Paid
Our aim is to have approved legal fees shown on the settlement statement and paid at closing. When equity is limited, we pursue options such as:
Negotiated buyer contributions and closing cost structures
Investor purchases (as-is) to shorten timelines
Short-sale approvals with documented fee disbursements
(Arrangements depend on case facts, court approval, and counterparties.)
We Remove the Bottlenecks That Stall Files
Court-directed sales often fail due to condition, access, or safety. We address those issues directly.
Hazards and Biohazard
If the property is unsafe or unsanitary, we handle it. Our team is equipped to address the most challenging conditions, ensuring the property is ready for sale.
Our affiliated vendors remediate:
Biohazards (bodily fluids, medical waste)
Human and animal waste
Hoarding and extreme debris
Structural hazards
Mold or moisture damage
Pest infestations
Drug paraphernalia
Tenants and Occupants
We regularly work on properties with difficult access issues. Our approach balances efficiency with legal compliance.
Our approach includes:
Lawful access plans coordinated with counsel
Notices prepared and delivered in compliance
Documented communication trails
Cash-for-keys coordination when appropriate
Investor purchase options that allow occupants to remain through closing if needed
Escrow, Contract, and Compliance Support
Our team ensures contracts and timelines comply with court requirements.
Required court language and addenda
Confirmation timelines
Inspection and contingency control
Buyer management
Notice and overbid procedures (when applicable)
Verification of funds
Payoff statements and lien releases
Weekly summaries for the case file
Appraisal, Valuation, and Pricing Strategy
For court-required valuations, we coordinate comprehensive pricing analysis to support defensible court presentations.
Present defensible, well-documented pricing during court review
Five business day appraisal delivery
Comparative market analysis (CMA)
Broker price opinions (BPOs)
Renovation vs. as-is scenarios
Market timing strategies
Ready to Move Your Court-Directed Sale Forward?
When a legal matter depends on selling real property, the right execution partner makes the difference. Russell Real Estate Group works alongside attorneys, guardians, trustees, and fiduciaries to move property sales forward efficiently, compliantly, and with full documentation.
Whether the property is distressed, occupied, tied to bankruptcy, or subject to a court order, we step in to manage the real estate so you can stay focused on the case.
Attorney and Court Directed Real Estate FAQs
How fast can you list a court ordered or attorney directed property?
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In many cases we can list within seventy two hours of receiving authority, access, and a clear path for valuation and marketing. That window allows us to confirm the order, pull preliminary title, coordinate photographs or as is documentation, and select the appropriate strategy for the file. If timelines are extremely tight, we can often move even faster with an investor driven path.
What do you need from the attorney or guardian to get started?
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At minimum we need a copy of the order or authority, confirmation of who can sign on behalf of the seller, basic file facts, and any deadlines imposed by the court, lender, or foreclosure trustee. If there are known liens, title issues, or occupant concerns, we ask for those upfront. From there we complete a brief intake with you or your staff so we can take the real estate piece off your desk.
How are legal fees handled and shown on the settlement statement?
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Our goal is to have approved legal fees reflected on the settlement statement and paid directly from escrow at closing. We work with you and escrow to document the fee structure in a way that supports court review and lender approval. When equity is limited, we may explore buyer contributions, short sale approvals, or as is investor terms, subject to approval by the court and any lienholders.
Can you help when there is little or no equity in the property?
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Yes. Many of our matters involve limited or negative equity. In those situations we evaluate options such as lender approved short sales, negotiated buyer contributions toward costs and fees, and as is cash offers from our investor network. We are candid about what is realistic and we coordinate with you so the proposed structure can be presented for court or trustee approval.
Do you work with properties in active foreclosure or with a sale date set?
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We handle many files that are in pre foreclosure or already scheduled for a trustee sale. Our first step is to understand the timeline and any prior loss mitigation efforts. When appropriate, we work with the lender or trustee to request additional time while a sale is structured. Results depend on the specific lender and file history, but our experience and documentation significantly improve the chances of a cooperative solution.
Can you sell a property as is, or does it need to be repaired first?
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We sell properties both as is and after targeted make ready work. When speed or condition is the main concern, we often place a vetted investor buyer who can close quickly and take on cleanup and repairs themselves. When the file would benefit from broader market exposure, we may recommend limited repairs or cleanup to support retail financing. In either case, we coordinate the work so you are not managing vendors.
How do you handle hoarding, biohazards, or unsafe property conditions?
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We routinely work with properties that have significant hazards, including hoarding, biohazard and infectious waste, paraphernalia, rodents or insects, mold, and heavy debris. We engage specialized cleanup and remediation vendors, coordinate access, and document the work for the file. When funds are tight, we explore vendors who are willing to be paid at closing, subject to the numbers and approvals.
Can you help with tenants, occupants, or squatters who are not cooperating?
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Yes. We coordinate lawful access plans and documentation that align with your legal strategy. That can include notices, cash for keys arrangements where appropriate, and careful tracking of communications and entry. Our investor network can also purchase properties with occupants in place when a move out is not feasible before closing. We work closely with counsel so that every step supports the record.
How do you align contracts and timelines with court requirements?
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We structure purchase contracts to reflect required court language, notice periods, overbid rules where they apply, and confirmation steps for your jurisdiction. We confirm expectations with you before going under contract and build timelines that allow for hearings, objections, or overbid opportunities if needed. The intent is to reduce rework, avoid post approval surprises, and protect your record.
What is your experience with bankruptcy related real estate sales?
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We have extensive experience with Chapter Seven, Eleven, and Thirteen sales, including trustee and debtor driven matters. We understand how to coordinate with the trustee, court, and lender so contracts, timelines, and proceeds distribution reflect the requirements of the bankruptcy case. Our role is to manage valuation, marketing, buyers, and closing so you can focus on the legal strategy.
What geographic areas do you serve for attorney and guardian matters?
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We are based in Seattle and handle matters throughout the greater Puget Sound and across Washington state. Many of our files are in King, Snohomish, Pierce, and Kitsap counties, but we are frequently engaged on matters in surrounding counties as well. If you have a property outside that footprint, we are happy to discuss whether it is a fit or help you identify local resources.
How do you communicate status so I can document the file easily?
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You will have one primary point of contact from intake through closing. We provide concise email updates you can drop directly into the file, along with key milestones such as valuation, listing launch, offers, contract execution, and closing. When needed, we also join status calls with you and your client or your team so everyone stays aligned.
How are your services compensated and do you charge retainers to attorneys?
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Our compensation is typically paid as a broker commission through escrow at closing, not as an hourly fee or retainer to the attorney. In some distressed or investor driven matters the structure may look slightly different, but our goal is always to align compensation with a successful closing. We are transparent about costs and will outline the proposed structure early so you can present it for approval.
Can you assist before an order is entered or while options are being evaluated?
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Yes. Many attorneys ask us to provide preliminary pricing guidance, estimated net sheets, and scenario comparisons before an order is entered or a plan is presented to the court. We are glad to consult in the background so you can advise your client on what is realistic and what timelines and outcomes to expect if a sale is ordered.
How do I refer a case or set up an initial conversation?
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You can call our office, email a brief summary of the matter, or submit details through the contact form on this site. From there we schedule a short call to review the file, confirm authority, and outline options. Once you are ready for us to proceed, we coordinate directly with your office and the client according to your preferences.