Bankruptcy Real Estate Specialist

Bankruptcy Home Sales in Michigan

Bankruptcy Doesn't Mean Losing Everything. Let's Protect What We Can.

Michigan Bankruptcy Real Estate · Chapter 7, 11, 13 · Since 2004

You are probably here because you need to know one thing: what happens to the house. Whether you are filing Chapter 7, working through a Chapter 13 plan, or a trustee has already been appointed, Realty Concierge Group knows the rules, the timelines, and what the court expects. We handle the real estate across all of Michigan so you can focus on the rest of it.

Confidential Consultation I'm a Bankruptcy Attorney or call 800-417-0117
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Court-CompliantWe know the process
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Discreet, Not EvasiveDisclosed where required, private everywhere else
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Trustee-ReadyDocumentation that works
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Since 2004Proven team

If You're Facing Bankruptcy in Michigan, You're Not Alone

Life happens. Medical bills, job loss, divorce, a business that didn't make it — there are many paths that lead here. What matters now is making the best decisions with what you have.

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You're filing Chapter 7 and need to know if you can keep your home — or if selling is the smarter move.

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You're in Chapter 13 and need court approval to sell. The paperwork feels overwhelming.

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A trustee has been appointed and needs to liquidate the property. You want it handled right.

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You're behind on the mortgage and considering bankruptcy to stop foreclosure.

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You don't know if selling before or after filing is the right move — you need guidance.

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You haven't told your family yet, and you'd rather not have to explain any of this to a stranger.

Most people who call us start by explaining themselves. They tell us about the medical bills, or the business, or the year everything went sideways — because they think we need a reason to take them seriously.

You don't have to do that here. We have been doing this since 2004, and by now we have learned that decent, hardworking people end up in bankruptcy for reasons that had very little to do with any choice they made. Tell us as much or as little as you want. What we actually need to know is what the house is, what chapter you're in, and what your deadline looks like.

Not sure where to start? A confidential conversation can help you understand your options.

Free Consultation or 800-417-0117

On Discretion

What We Will Never Do

"We're discreet" is easy to say and impossible to check. So here is the specific version, including the part most pages leave out: there are things a bankruptcy sale legally requires us to disclose, and we will not pretend otherwise. Discretion is about everything past that line.

We will never hide what has to be disclosed

If a trustee is the seller, or the sale needs bankruptcy court approval, that condition goes in the listing. A buyer has a right to know their offer is subject to the court and the timeline is not a normal one. Concealing it would not protect you. It would put the sale at risk later and expose you to a concealment claim.

We will never volunteer anything past that

There is a wide gap between "this sale is subject to court approval" and your story. The buyer's agent gets the procedural facts that affect their client. They do not get the medical bills, the business that closed, or the year it all went sideways. "The sellers are motivated" is not a sentence we say.

We will never let you think you have control you don't

In a Chapter 7 trustee sale the trustee is the seller, not you. The court can approve, deny, or in some situations entertain a higher offer at the hearing. We will tell you exactly where each decision sits before we start, because finding that out at a hearing is a bad way to learn it.

We will never discuss your situation with neighbors

People ask at open houses and while a sign is going in. The answer is that the owners are moving. That is all anyone is ever told.

We will never push you toward selling

Sometimes the right answer is that your equity is protected and you should keep the house. We would rather tell you that and earn a referral than take a listing you shouldn't have signed.

We will never use distress language in marketing

Stating a required condition is not the same as advertising desperation. No "must sell," no "priced to move," no urgency signals in the photos or the copy. The presentation of your home looks like any other listing on the market.

We will never make you explain yourself

You are not going to be asked how this happened. We need the property details and the court timeline. The rest is yours to share or not.

Two things we cannot promise. Bankruptcy filings are public record, and that is outside anyone's control. And if the court is involved in your sale, the buyer will know that much, because the law requires it. What we can promise is that nothing beyond the required disclosure will ever come from us — and that if you are selling before you file, there is no bankruptcy to disclose at all.

Understanding Your Michigan Bankruptcy Real Estate Options

Different types of bankruptcy have different implications for your home:

Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

"Liquidation" Bankruptcy

Debts are discharged, but non-exempt assets may be sold. If your home has significant equity above Michigan's homestead exemption, the trustee may sell it.

  • Faster process (typically 3–6 months)
  • Home may be sold if equity exceeds exemption limits
  • Trustee controls the sale of non-exempt assets
  • You may be able to keep your home if equity is protected
  • We help you understand your options before filing
Chapter 13 Bankruptcy

"Reorganization" Bankruptcy (Chapter 11 or 13)

You keep your assets but follow a 3–5 year repayment plan. You can sell your home, but need court approval first.

  • Keep your property while repaying debts
  • Selling requires court approval (motion to sell)
  • Sale proceeds may go toward repayment plan
  • More control, but more paperwork
  • We know the process and work with your attorney

This is general information, not legal advice. Always consult with a bankruptcy attorney about your specific situation.

Need a property valuation? Knowing what your home is worth is the first step in understanding your options under either chapter.

Get a Free Valuation or 800-417-0117

The Number Everything Depends On

The Michigan Homestead Exemption, With the Actual Figures

Most pages on this subject say the exemption protects "a certain amount of equity." That is not useful when you are trying to work out whether you keep your house. Here are the real numbers, the statute they come from, and why the figure printed in the statute is not the one that applies to you.

$51,150

Equity protected in your primary residence for most filers

$76,725

If you or a dependent is 65 or older, or disabled

Where these come from: MCL 600.5451(1)(m), Michigan's bankruptcy-specific exemption statute, for cases filed on or after April 1, 2026. If you look the statute up you will see $30,000 and $45,000 printed in the text. Those are a 2004 base figure. The Michigan State Treasurer adjusts them for inflation every three years, and the numbers above reflect the April 2026 adjustment. The next scheduled adjustment is April 1, 2029. The exemption covers the dwelling plus up to 40 acres outside a city, village, or recorded plat, or one lot inside one.

How the equity math works

Current market value of the home$285,000
Less mortgage payoff− $240,000
Less second lien or judgment− $12,000
Equity at stake$33,000

In this example the equity sits below $51,150, so it would generally fall within the exemption and the trustee would have little reason to pursue a sale. Change the market value by thirty thousand dollars and the answer changes. That is the entire reason an accurate, defensible valuation matters more in a bankruptcy than in an ordinary sale, and it is the part Realty Concierge Group handles.

State list or federal list? Michigan lets you choose, but you have to pick one set and use it for everything. For a single homeowner with real equity, Michigan's $51,150 usually beats the federal homestead figure of $31,575. For a married couple who co-own the home, the federal homestead can be doubled to $63,150, which sometimes wins. Filers with little or no home equity often do better on the federal list because of its wildcard exemption. Your attorney makes this call, and the valuation is what the math runs on.

This is general information about Michigan law, not legal advice, and exemption amounts change on a schedule and occasionally sooner through legislation. Confirm the current figures with your bankruptcy attorney before relying on them.

Need to know where your equity actually stands? That is a valuation question, and it costs you nothing to find out.

Get a Free Valuation or 800-417-0117

How Realty Concierge Group Helps With Bankruptcy Real Estate

We work alongside you and your bankruptcy attorney to handle the real estate piece properly.

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Accurate Valuations

Court-ready CMAs and appraisal coordination so everyone knows what the property is actually worth.

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Trustee Coordination

If a trustee is involved, we work with them directly. We understand the process and reporting requirements.

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Court Approval Support

For Chapter 13 sales, we provide the documentation needed for your motion to sell.

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Property Preparation

We coordinate any needed repairs, cleanouts, or staging — even if you've already moved out.

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Timeline Management

Bankruptcy has deadlines. We build our marketing and sale strategy around your court dates.

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Complete Discretion

Your situation stays private. We handle everything professionally with no unnecessary attention.

Trusted Michigan Bankruptcy Real Estate Team

We don't publish reviews that identify anyone's bankruptcy, for the same reasons listed above. These are clients who came to us during genuinely hard financial stretches and agreed to let us share what the experience was like.

"We started working with Joel when the market was slow and we were upside down on our condo. He stuck with us for many years, continuously re-evaluating the market and our situation. When the time finally came where we could sell, he made the process very easy."

Greg & Laura Pemberton

Underwater and waited years before selling. Nobody rushed them.

"Joel and his associates handled the sale of our home of 45 years very efficiently and professionally. Every question we had was answered quickly and our home was sold in less than a month. Everything along the way and the closing went smoothly."

Dennis & Carol Vickers

A home of 45 years, sold on a deadline, without drama.

"They are caring, compassionate, and understanding. During a difficult transition for my family, they took all the stress away. I would recommend them to anyone going through a hard time."

James & Natalie Owens

Sold during a hard financial stretch.

Your situation deserves the same care. Let's have a confidential conversation about what's possible.

Start the Conversation or 800-417-0117

For Bankruptcy Attorneys

A Michigan Real Estate Team That Understands the Bankruptcy Process

When your clients need to sell real estate as part of a filing, you need a team that won't create complications. Realty Concierge Group handles residential, commercial, agricultural, and luxury property in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases statewide.

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Accurate, Defensible Valuations

CMAs and appraisal coordination that hold up to scrutiny from trustees and courts.

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Motion-Ready Documentation

For Chapter 13 sales, we provide the sale details your motion needs.

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Trustee Collaboration

We work directly with Chapter 7 trustees and understand their requirements.

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Deadline Awareness

We understand bankruptcy timelines and build our process around them.

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Clear Communication

You won't chase us for updates. We keep you informed throughout.

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Discreet Handling

Your client is never asked to explain themselves. We disclose exactly what the transaction requires and nothing past it.

Let's Discuss How We Can Support Your Clients

A quick call can establish whether we're the right fit for your bankruptcy real estate referrals.

Schedule Attorney Consultation

Tell Us About the Property. That's All We Need to Start.

No pressure, no obligation, and no questions about how you got here. One conversation is usually enough to know what your options actually are.

A note on privacy: we do not send an automatic confirmation email, and nothing we send will identify what this is about. If a shared inbox or shared device is a concern, choose "text only" or "call only" above and we will respect that.

Confidential. We don't share your information, and nothing you tell us obligates you to anything.

Got it. Someone from Realty Concierge Group will reach out the way you asked.
If you'd rather talk now, call 800-417-0117.
Would rather just talk? 800-417-0117

About the information on this page

Joel Schmidt

Broker of Record, Realty Concierge Group · Licensed Michigan real estate broker since 2004

I have handled bankruptcy property sales in Michigan for two decades, working with Chapter 7 trustees, debtors in possession, and bankruptcy attorneys in both the Eastern and Western Districts. The valuations my team prepares get filed with schedules and motions, which means they have to hold up to a trustee reading them closely.

Everything on this page is written from that work. Where a figure comes from a statute, the statute is cited so you can check it yourself. Where something is a legal question rather than a real estate one, this page says so and points you back to your attorney, because that is where it belongs.

Written and reviewed by Joel Schmidt, Broker of Record, Realty Concierge Group, Brighton, Michigan.
Exemption figures verified against MCL 600.5451(1)(m) as adjusted effective April 1, 2026. Page last reviewed August 2026.

Michigan Bankruptcy Real Estate FAQ

Yes, but the process depends on which chapter you have filed. In Chapter 7, the trustee may control the sale of non-exempt assets. In Chapter 11, debtors in possession typically continue managing assets with court oversight. In Chapter 13, you can sell but need court approval first. Realty Concierge Group works with bankruptcy attorneys and trustees across Michigan to handle all three scenarios.
It depends on your equity, exemptions, and goals. Selling before filing has risks because the court can investigate recent sales. Selling after gives you more protection but involves more process. Your bankruptcy attorney should advise on timing, and Realty Concierge Group can help execute either approach across Michigan.
Not necessarily. For cases filed on or after April 1, 2026, Michigan’s bankruptcy homestead exemption under MCL 600.5451(1)(m) protects up to $51,150 of equity in your primary residence, or $76,725 if you or a dependent is 65 or older or disabled. If your equity falls below that figure, the trustee generally has no reason to sell the home. Equity means current market value minus your mortgage payoff and any liens, which is why an accurate valuation matters. Realty Concierge Group provides that valuation. Your bankruptcy attorney determines how the exemption applies to your case.
For bankruptcy cases filed on or after April 1, 2026, Michigan protects $51,150 of home equity, or $76,725 if the debtor or a dependent is 65 or older or disabled, under MCL 600.5451(1)(m). The dollar figures printed in the statute, $30,000 and $45,000, are a 2004 base that the Michigan State Treasurer adjusts for inflation every three years. The next scheduled adjustment is April 1, 2029. The exemption covers up to 40 acres outside a city, village, or recorded plat, or one lot inside one. Confirm current figures with your bankruptcy attorney, since amounts change and pending legislation can change them sooner.
Michigan lets you choose either the state exemption list or the federal list, but you must pick one set and use it for everything. For a single homeowner with meaningful equity, Michigan’s $51,150 homestead usually protects more than the federal figure of $31,575. For a married couple who co-own the home, the federal homestead can be doubled to $63,150, which sometimes wins. Filers with little or no home equity often do better federal because of the wildcard exemption. This is a decision for your bankruptcy attorney, and the valuation Realty Concierge Group provides is what the math depends on.
Your bankruptcy attorney files a motion with details about the sale including buyer, price, terms, and proceeds distribution. Realty Concierge Group provides the documentation they need. The court reviews to ensure creditors are treated fairly, then approves or denies the sale.
In Chapter 7, the trustee may be appointed to sell non-exempt assets including real estate. Realty Concierge Group works directly with Michigan bankruptcy trustees, providing valuations, marketing, and managing the sale process according to their requirements.
It depends where you are in the process. If you are selling before you file, there is no bankruptcy to disclose. If a trustee is the seller or the sale requires bankruptcy court approval, that condition has to be disclosed to the buyer, because it affects their timeline and the terms of their offer, and concealing it would put the sale at risk. What Realty Concierge Group does not disclose is anything past the procedural facts: no reason, no circumstances, no distress language in the listing or the marketing, and nothing said to neighbors beyond that the owners are moving. Bankruptcy filings are also public record, which is outside anyone’s control.
While bankruptcy filings are public record, Realty Concierge Group handles bankruptcy real estate sales discreetly. We do not advertise that a sale is bankruptcy-related, and we treat every client with dignity regardless of their circumstances.
Realty Concierge Group serves all of Michigan for bankruptcy real estate transactions. While headquartered in Brighton serving Southeast Michigan including Livingston, Oakland, and Washtenaw Counties, RCG handles statewide bankruptcy real estate sales for residential properties, commercial real estate, agricultural land, and luxury estates across the state.
Yes. Realty Concierge Group handles Chapter 11 bankruptcy real estate sales across Michigan including commercial properties, business real estate, agricultural land, farms, and high-value residential estates. Chapter 11 reorganization sales typically involve debtors in possession, court oversight, and larger asset values — RCG provides court-compliant valuations, marketing, and transaction management.
Realty Concierge Group specializes in bankruptcy real estate sales across Michigan including Chapter 7 trustee sales, Chapter 11 business reorganization, and Chapter 13 court-approved sales. Based in Brighton, Michigan with real estate experience since 2004, RCG works directly with bankruptcy attorneys, trustees, debtors in possession, and individual homeowners on residential, commercial, agricultural, and luxury property bankruptcy sales statewide.
Yes. While the residential bankruptcy practice serves Southeast Michigan, Realty Concierge Group also handles commercial real estate, agricultural land, farms, and luxury estates in bankruptcy proceedings throughout Michigan. RCG provides court-defensible valuations, trustee coordination, and discreet transaction management for higher-value bankruptcy assets statewide.
Yes. Realty Concierge Group works directly with Michigan bankruptcy attorneys and welcomes attorney referrals. The team provides court-ready CMAs, motion-supporting documentation, trustee coordination, deadline-aware marketing, and discreet client handling. Attorneys can reach the bankruptcy real estate team at 800-417-0117 to discuss client needs.

There's a Path Forward for Your Michigan Bankruptcy Real Estate. Let's Find It Together.

A confidential conversation can help you understand your options and what the real estate piece looks like. No pressure, and no questions about how you got here — just clarity from a team that has been through this many times before.

Schedule Confidential Consultation

Or call: 800-417-0117

Confidential. We're here to help.

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