I'm the Executor and Have My Letters. How Do I Sell the House in Clark County?

Updated October 2026 by Mike Tchobanian, Broker and Owner, Vegas Capital Realty

Once you have your letters from the Clark County District Court, start by protecting the house, then send your letters to a listing agent and introduce them to your probate attorney. From there, the house gets cleared out, prepared, and listed, and your attorney confirms whether the sale needs court confirmation. Mike Tchobanian, Broker and Owner of Vegas Capital Realty, has worked with many of Clark County's probate attorneys and helps executors sell estate homes in Las Vegas and Henderson.

Losing a parent or loved one is hard, and being the executor on top of it is a lot. The steps below are the same ones Mike walks families through, in the order that keeps things simple.

Step 1: Protect the house first

• Is anyone living there? Find out if the house is vacant, or if a family member or tenant is still in it.
• Who is checking on it? If you are local, stop by regularly. If you live out of town, Mike can walk the property and check on it for you, so you have someone you trust on the ground.
• Update the insurance right away. This is the step people miss most. Some insurance policies will not cover claims on a house that is vacant with nobody living in it. Call the insurance company and make sure the policy fits a vacant home.
• Keep the utilities on, and keep paying the mortgage, HOA, and property taxes.

Step 2: Send your letters and introduce your attorney

When you are ready to list, your agent will need a copy of your letters testamentary or letters of administration. That is your proof that the court appointed you. One distinction that matters: the letters show the appointment, while the authority the court granted (full or limited) decides what notices and approvals the sale needs, so this gets reviewed before anyone commits the estate to a sale. Next, introduce your agent to your probate attorney by email. The agent and attorney should work together from day one on authority, timing, and any court hearing.

Step 3: Find out if the sale needs court confirmation

With limited authority, a real property sale goes through court supervision. With full authority under Nevada's independent administration rules, many sales close without a confirmation hearing, though notice requirements still apply. If confirmation is required, the accepted offer goes to a hearing where other buyers can overbid. Your attorney will tell you which applies to your estate. The useful question to ask is: what has to happen before we sign a contract, and before we close? Read more about independent administration vs. court confirmation in Nevada.

Step 4: Clear out the belongings

This is often the hardest part emotionally. Start by photographing the rooms and setting aside important papers, valuables, and anything the will leaves to a specific person. Family members can say what they would like to keep, but as personal representative you are responsible for the estate's property, so items should leave only after you have made the call and your attorney has confirmed any approvals needed. For the rest, an estate sale company or auctioneer can sell what the family no longer needs. Get the vendor's terms in writing, including when they get paid; some will wait until closing, others will not. Items that do not sell can be donated to a nonprofit; keep the receipts and ask the estate's CPA whether any deduction applies. Every case is different, and Mike helps families decide what makes sense.

Step 5: Prepare the house for sale

Once the house is cleared out, we look at whether it needs anything before listing. Not every house does. If it does, Mike has the contacts and vendors for any work, from minor touch ups to bigger repairs, and can oversee it for you, which helps most when the family lives out of town. If the work is significant, we get a bid first so the estate can compare fixing it up against selling it as is.

Step 6: List, sell, and close

When everything is ready, we list the home, handle showings and offers, and follow the court process if confirmation is required. At closing, the sale proceeds go to the estate, and your attorney handles distribution to the heirs.

Frequently asked questions

I just got my letters. What is the very first thing I should do with the house?

Protect it. Make sure someone is checking on it, keep the utilities on, and call the insurance company, because some policies will not cover a vacant house.

What documents does a realtor need to list a probate house in Clark County?

A copy of your letters testamentary or letters of administration, plus an introduction to your probate attorney so the agent can confirm your authority to sell.

Can we list the house before probate is completely finished?

Usually you can list once you have been appointed and have your letters, even though the estate is still open. Your attorney will confirm what your authority allows.

What do we do with all the furniture in the house?

Document the contents first, then keep what the family wants, sell what you can through an estate sale or auctioneer, and donate what does not sell. Keep donation receipts and ask the estate's CPA whether any deduction applies. As executor, you make the call on what leaves the house.

Do we have to fix up the house before selling?

No. Some estate homes sell as is, and others benefit from a few touch ups. If any work is needed, Mike has the vendors to handle it. Your agent should show you the numbers both ways.

Talk to Mike about your probate property

If you are the executor or administrator of an estate with a home in Las Vegas or Henderson, call Mike Tchobanian at 702-530-5844 or email mike@vegascapital.com. Learn more about Mike, his probate assistance, and how long probate takes in Clark County.

Request a Probate Sale Plan

This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Talk with your probate attorney and CPA about your estate.

Sources

• Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 143, powers and duties of personal representatives, including NRS 143.370 to 143.405 on independent administration
• Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 148, sales of estate property