Yes. In Washington, including Kitsap County, you can sell a house while it is in probate, but only under specific legal conditions and with the right person signing the paperwork.

Who can actually sell it?

• Only the court‑appointed personal representative (executor/administrator) can legally list and sell the home.
• They must first receive Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration from the probate court; until then, no one (including heirs) can validly sign a listing agreement or purchase and sale agreement.

Is court approval always required?

• Washington is a nonintervention state: if the will grants “nonintervention powers” and the court confirms them, the personal representative often may sell the property without a separate court order for the sale, using standard closing procedures.
• If the PR has only limited authority or there is no will, they typically must get a court order approving the sale price and terms before the sale can be finalized.

When in the probate timeline can you sell?

• The house can usually be listed and put under contract after probate is opened and the personal representative is appointed.
• In many cases, the sale can close before probate is fully finished, but the sale proceeds stay in the estate until debts, taxes, and expenses are paid and the court approves distribution to heirs.

Extra rules to keep in mind

• Courts and buyers often expect a professional appraisal or clear market‑value support; some guidance notes that probate sales generally should not be below roughly fair market value to protect heirs.
• Beneficiaries usually must receive notice of the intended sale (often at least 10 days before closing in nonintervention situations), so they have a chance to object if they believe the price or terms harm the estate.

Because details can hinge on the exact wording of the will and the type of authority granted, it is wise for a Kitsap‑area seller to work with both a probate attorney and a local agent who has handled probate sales before.

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