Our Experience Selling the Private Island in California
- Anna Lim
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
Selling Private Island Challenges: Every property has a story, but Goldrift Island came with an entire mystery novel.
When we first met the sellers, they shared that they had purchased the island over 20 years ago through a previous agent who failed to disclose a critical detail: the property could not obtain title insurance. Even worse, after the cash sale closed, that agent became completely unreachable - blocked calls, no responses, nothing. Understandably, the sellers felt misled and unsure of what to do next. As a result, they rarely used the island except for the occasional camping or fishing trip with their kids.
Fast‑forward to today. After successfully helping them sell another property, they entrusted us with the sale of the island. They are now ready to move into retirement and let go of a place they no longer visited.
The First Challenge: No Title Insurance
When we took the listing, we contacted about 10 different escrow and title companies to explore any possibility of insuring the island. Every single one came back with the same answer: no.
But one company gave us a crucial clue.
They discovered that the original transaction decades ago was recorded incorrectly. It should have been a trustee’s sale, but instead, the previous escrow recorded it as a deed of trust which is a completely different type of document. Even more concerning, we had no confirmation of whether other trustees existed who might still have a legal claim.
So our team went digging. We tracked down the previous seller’s trustee and obtained a signed document confirming they would not claim any interest in the island. That alone was a major breakthrough.
The Second Challenge: A $600,000 Surprise Lien
Just when we thought we were in the clear, the preliminary title report revealed something shocking:
A $600,000 lien recorded in the 1980s.
Both the sellers and the new buyer were stunned. Without title insurance, a buyer could theoretically become responsible for that lien. The good news? The lender hadn’t contacted anyone in decades, suggesting the lien was likely inactive or “dead.”
But “likely” isn’t good enough in real estate.
We dug deeper and discovered that the loan had been sold and resold eight times over the years. After extensive research, we finally located the current lender. We reached out, initiated the verification process, and worked toward having the lien formally removed so escrow could close cleanly and confidently.
The Outcome
What started as a seemingly impossible listing turned into a success story built on persistence, research, and advocacy. Our sellers were able to move forward with peace of mind, and the buyer gained clarity and protection before completing the purchase.
Selling private island and unique properties, especially those with complicated histories, requires more than just marketing. It requires problem‑solving, transparency, and a willingness to go the extra mile. Goldrift Island reminded us why we love what we do.
Whether your property is straightforward or comes with a few surprises, you deserve a Realtor who won’t give up. If you want expert guidance, transparency, and real problem‑solving, connect with us today.
Reach Anna directly: 925‑428‑1742 DRE #02248908
Reach Scott directly: 571-334-5104 DRE #02282756
Or book a consultation with us!
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