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We work on a standard real estate commission (typically 2.5 to 3% listing side). For probate, divorce, and trust situations, commission may be negotiated based on complexity. There are no upfront fees — we only get paid when the deal closes.

Three key differentiators: Specialization in high-value sales, complex situations (probate, divorce, trusts), and luxury real estate. Five professional designations plus a law school background. Results: 900+ transactions and $900M+ sold with consistently top Zillow reviews.

The market is moderately balanced, with prices holding steady in luxury segments and increasing buyer activity. Neighborhoods like Newport Beach and Laguna Beach are seeing 60 to 90 days on market, while more affordable areas move faster.

Probate real estate involves selling property that is part of a deceased person's estate. In Orange County, California, the process typically involves filing with the Orange County Superior Court, getting the property appraised, listing it for sale, and potentially going through court confirmation depending on the type of administration. A CPRES-certified specialist like Paula Aragone can guide you through each step.

Yes. We specialize in divorce real estate across Orange County, acting as a neutral party to help both spouses achieve the best possible outcome on their property sale or division. With a law school background and experience in high-conflict situations, we bring the legal precision that divorce real estate requires.

The timeline varies greatly depending on court requirements. Under the Independent Administration of Estates Act (IAEA) with full authority, it can be as fast as a traditional sale (30–60 days). If limited authority or full court confirmation is required, the process typically takes 3 to 6 months or longer.

We work on standard real estate commission. Our clients find the value we bring saves them far more through strategic pricing and faster sales.

Our average is 60 days. Luxury properties may take 75–90 days due to smaller buyer pools. We position your home based on current market velocity.

We coordinate repairs or discount for buyer credits. Our Concierge program offers deferred costs for enhancements to maximize your net proceeds.

Yes. Specialized in probate and estate sales, we have cash buyer networks for closes in as little as 30 days when needed.

Beyond MLS, we use First Team's in-house agency, luxury portals, and a probate network that connects with premium off-market buyers.

The home buying process typically takes 30–45 days from offer acceptance to closing, though it can vary based on financing, inspections, and appraisals. In competitive Orange County markets like Newport Beach and Irvine, having your pre-approval and team in place can speed up the timeline significantly. Aragone & Associates guides you through each step and keeps you informed of timelines throughout.

We strongly recommend getting a mortgage pre-approval before beginning your home search. In Orange County's competitive market, sellers and their agents view pre-approved buyers much more favorably. It strengthens your offer position and helps us focus on homes within your ideal price range. We can connect you with trusted local lenders who understand the Orange County market.

Closing costs typically range from 2–5% of the home's purchase price and include loan origination fees, title insurance, inspections, appraisals, and taxes. Aragone & Associates provides a detailed Closing Disclosure 3 days before closing so you know exactly what to expect, and we negotiate to minimize your costs wherever possible.

With 23+ years of Orange County experience and 900+ closed transactions, we use market data, comparable sales analysis, and strategic timing to craft winning offers. We advise on offer price, contingency strategy, earnest money positioning, and terms that appeal to sellers — helping you win without overpaying. Our strong reputation with listing agents throughout Orange County also gives our clients a competitive advantage.

Yes — through First Team Real Estate's extensive agent network, Luxury Portfolio International, and our decades of relationships with sellers and other agents, we frequently access off-market and pre-market properties that never appear on public listing sites. This gives our buyers exclusive opportunities in some of Orange County's most desirable neighborhoods.

Paula has represented luxury properties ranging from $2 million to over $50 million across Orange County's most prestigious communities. With $850M+ in career sales volume, a 102%+ average list-to-sale ratio on luxury listings, and documented gains of up to $2.1 million above asking price, her track record in the luxury tier is among the strongest in Southern California. She is ranked in the top 1% of agents nationwide by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Luxury marketing is a completely different discipline. Paula deploys a bespoke strategy for each property that includes magazine-quality architectural photography, cinematic drone video, a custom single-property website, targeted digital campaigns, print placement in premium publications like Modern Luxury Magazine, and global exposure through Luxury Portfolio International's network of 500+ portals in 45+ countries. Every element is designed to reach the qualified buyer who will pay the property's full premium value.

Yes. A significant share of Orange County's finest estate transactions never reach the public MLS. Paula's exclusive network of top luxury agents, developers, and private equity contacts gives her clients early or exclusive access to properties that are sold privately. For buyers seeking truly exceptional homes, this off-market network is often the most valuable service Paula provides.

Paula specializes in all of Orange County's luxury communities, with particular depth in Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Newport Coast, Corona del Mar, Pelican Hill, Crystal Cove, Emerald Bay, Three Arch Bay, and Dana Point. She also serves Coto de Caza, Ladera Ranch, Irvine's premium neighborhoods, and coastal communities throughout Southern California.

Luxury Portfolio International is the luxury marketing division of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World® — the world's most prestigious global network of independent luxury brokerages. As a member through First Team Real Estate, Paula's listings receive global distribution across 500+ luxury real estate portals in 45+ countries, with direct access to high-net-worth buyers in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East actively seeking property in Southern California.

Pricing a luxury property is both an art and a science. Paula performs a comprehensive analysis of recent comparable sales, off-market transactions, current active competition, lot premiums, view premiums, and micro-neighborhood demand indicators. She supplements this data with insights from her network of luxury agents and developers. The result is a pricing strategy designed to attract serious qualified buyers while maximizing the seller's net proceeds — not simply the list price.

A standard probate property sale takes 6 to 12 months from the initial petition to final sale and distribution. The timeline depends on whether the estate qualifies for independent administration (faster) or requires full court supervision, how quickly the property sells, court scheduling, and any complications or disputes. We work to keep the process moving efficiently while ensuring all legal requirements are met.

In a full probate sale, after an offer is accepted and submitted to the court for confirmation, an overbidding period begins. During this period, anyone — including heirs or outside bidders — can submit a higher offer. If a higher offer is received, a court auction may occur. This process protects the estate by ensuring the best possible price. Independent administrations (IAEA) may not require overbidding periods.

It depends on the type of probate administration. In a full probate estate, yes — the executor must file a petition and obtain court approval before selling. In an independent administration (IAEA), the executor has more freedom and may not need court approval for each sale, though certain filings and beneficiary notifications are still required. We assess your specific situation and guide you through the appropriate process.

The executor is the fiduciary — they must act in the best interests of the estate and its beneficiaries. Responsibilities include managing the probate petition, authorizing the sale, reviewing offers, ensuring court requirements are met, maintaining the property during the sale process, and overseeing the distribution of proceeds. While we handle much of the real estate work, the executor remains ultimately responsible for fiduciary duties and court compliance.

The property is appraised by a qualified appraiser to establish fair market value for the probate court record. This appraisal becomes the "probate value" used for court filings and tax purposes. Market conditions, property condition, location, and comparable sales all factor into the valuation. The sale price may be higher or lower than the appraisal value depending on market response and the overbidding process.

Probate sales typically involve real estate commission, probate court fees and filing costs, property appraisal fees, title insurance, inspections and repairs, and potentially attorney fees. Additionally, the estate may owe probate administration fees and taxes. The exact costs depend on the property value, condition, and local probate court fees. We provide transparent estimates upfront so you understand all expenses.

Yes, you can sell during the probate process. In fact, most estate property is sold while probate is ongoing. The sale is part of the probate proceedings. You must follow the proper procedures: file the petition, obtain court authorization, market and accept an offer, and then proceed through court confirmation and closing. This is different from selling a non-probate property, but it's a standard part of estate administration.

The earlier, the better. Most families find that starting 6–12 months before your target move date gives you ample time to sort belongings, prepare the home, and make thoughtful financial decisions without feeling rushed. Paula offers complimentary consultations with no obligation, so there is no reason to wait.

Paula has guided hundreds of seniors through this transition and understands that letting go of a family home is deeply emotional. She moves at your pace, listens without judgment, and connects you with professional organizers and estate specialists who work with compassion and professionalism. The goal is to honor what matters most, find good homes for items with sentimental or monetary value, and simplify the process for you and your family every step of the way.

Absolutely. Paula represents both sellers and buyers and is available to guide you through the purchase of your next home — whether that is a condominium in Newport Beach, a detached home in a gated 55+ community, or a home in another part of California. Her deep knowledge of Orange County's 55+ landscape, combined with her Prop 19 expertise, makes her uniquely qualified to help you find the right destination as well as execute the sale of your current home.

Every situation is different. Paula works with timelines ranging from a few weeks (for seniors who need to move quickly) to 6–9 months (for those who prefer a gradual, well-planned transition). She will tailor your sales strategy and listing date to align with your personal schedule and financial goals, not an arbitrary market calendar.

Not necessarily. Paula will assess your property and advise on which improvements deliver the best return on investment and which ones are unnecessary. For seniors who prefer a simpler process, she can structure a sale that minimizes pre-listing work while still achieving a strong price. She also connects clients with trusted contractors and stagers who deliver results on time and on budget.

Yes, absolutely. Proposition 19 allows California homeowners age 55 and older to transfer their current property tax base to a replacement home anywhere in the state, up to three times in their lifetime. This can mean thousands of dollars in annual savings. Paula walks every eligible client through the benefit in plain language and connects them with qualified tax professionals to ensure the filing is handled correctly and on time.

Paula has extensive experience navigating the listing agreement process with divorcing couples and their attorneys. In many cases, both parties benefit from a single neutral agent who communicates equally with both sides. Your attorneys can advise on the best arrangement for your situation.

This is one of the most common challenges in divorce real estate. If cooperation breaks down, the matter typically goes before a judge who can order the sale. If a court order is already in place, Paula is experienced in working within those legal parameters to move the process forward efficiently.

Yes, and this is very common. Paula works carefully with the occupying spouse to schedule showings respectfully and keep the home in showing condition while maintaining their comfort and privacy.

Paula provides a detailed Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) based entirely on objective data — recent comparable sales, current market conditions, and property-specific factors. This data-driven approach removes emotion from the pricing discussion and gives both parties and their attorneys a defensible number.

Technically, any licensed agent can list a home in a divorce. But the legal complexity, dual-party dynamics, court requirements, and emotional sensitivity create risks that a generalist may not anticipate. An experienced divorce real estate specialist reduces those risks and helps the transaction close smoothly.

Paula communicates equally and simultaneously with both spouses and their respective attorneys. All offers, updates, and decisions are shared transparently so neither party feels excluded or disadvantaged.

A trust sale is the sale of real property held within a trust. Unlike traditional home sales where the owner decides to sell, trust property sales involve the trustee selling an asset on behalf of the trust for the benefit of its beneficiaries. Trust sales come with unique requirements, including fiduciary duties to act in beneficiaries' best interests, adherence to trust document terms, proper beneficiary notification, and thorough documentation for trust accounting. Unlike probate sales, trust sales do not require court confirmation — the trustee acts under authority granted by the trust document. Aragone & Associates specializes in navigating these complexities while ensuring fair market value and full fiduciary compliance.

Trust sales and probate sales are distinct processes. In a trust sale, the trustee has authority to sell the property under the terms of the trust document — no court confirmation or judicial approval is required. This makes trust sales generally faster and more streamlined. Probate sales, by contrast, occur when someone passes without a trust, and the property must go through the probate court system, which involves court oversight, overbid hearings, and formal confirmation. While both require specialized expertise, trust sales focus on fiduciary duty compliance, proper beneficiary notification, and trust document adherence rather than court procedures.

Trust property sales typically take 30 to 90 days from listing to closing, depending on specific circumstances. Because trust sales do not require court confirmation (unlike probate sales), they can move more efficiently. Factors affecting timeline include beneficiary notification and communication, title issues that need clearing, property condition and necessary preparation, and current market conditions. We manage the entire timeline strategically, keeping all parties informed and moving efficiently through each stage.

Trustees have significant fiduciary duties including: obtaining fair market value, acting in beneficiaries' best interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, keeping detailed records of all decisions, ensuring the sale complies with trust terms, following proper notice and approval procedures, and maintaining transparency with beneficiaries. Failure to meet these obligations can expose trustees to personal liability. We help trustees fulfill all responsibilities with proper documentation throughout.

Trust real estate requires specialized knowledge of fiduciary duties, trust administration, tax implications, beneficiary rights, and the unique title and marketing challenges of trust properties. General agents may not understand how to review trust documents, properly document fair market value for trust accounting, coordinate with multiple beneficiaries, or handle title complications common in trust-held properties. Our combination of law school education, CPRES certification, and 900+ transactions ensures the trustee fulfills all fiduciary obligations while maximizing property value.

Beneficiaries have the right to be informed about trust property sales and in some cases may object if they believe the sale doesn't serve their best interests or violates trust terms. Proper communication and documentation throughout the process helps prevent disputes and protects all parties. Our transparent approach — with documented beneficiary communication at every stage — significantly reduces the risk of objections and ensures smoother proceedings.