Navigating Loss: Managing Estate Affairs After a Loved One's Passing

Selling a Loved One's Home After Their Passing

After a friend or family member passes away, you may find yourself responsible for his or her home. Unlike listing your own home, selling the home of a deceased loved one comes with extra logistical issues and emotional weight. While this might seem like an unnavigable journey, a few steps in the right direction will help you move forward. Here are some suggestions, courtesy of the .

Make a Plan

The first step of the home-selling process is making a plan. Estimate the profit or loss expected on the home sale. Examining the housing market in the local area can help you get a better idea of how much the home should sell for. Research estate taxes and other financial considerations associated with the death of a loved one. can be a big help in this regard!

It’s also important to discuss the situation with other family members, a financial advisor, and all lawyers involved to make sure everyone is on the same page. Walk through the home to get an idea of what you will be working with. Take note of any repairs that need to be addressed before listing the home, and take steps to reduce energy usage.

Avoid Unwanted Calls and Scams

Using a reverse phone lookup tool can be incredibly helpful when cleaning out a deceased loved one’s home, especially to manage unexpected calls and avoid potential scams. During this sensitive time, you may receive a variety of calls – some legitimate, others unwanted or even predatory. With a reverse lookup, you can quickly identify unknown numbers, filtering out spam calls and safeguarding against scammers who often target families in transition. For instance, this one will provide . This simple tool helps keep your focus on honoring your loved one’s memory without the distraction of unsolicited or misleading calls.

Clean Out

When you , Well + Good notes you may feel overwhelmed. There may be decades worth of “stuff” for you to go through. Some of these items may be sentimental for you, but keep in mind that you do not have to keep the objects to keep the memories.

Ask friends and family to help, and remember that you do not have to have everything cleaned out immediately. If necessary, hire an estate cleanout service to expedite the process. Set a reasonable deadline and do your best to stick to it so that you do not have the task hanging over your head indefinitely.

To make the process easier, have an organization plan in place before you start. You will likely separate the items into several categories: keep, donate, sell, and trash. If possible, before holding an estate sale or donating items. Allow other family members and close friends to walk through the home and see if there is anything they would like to keep. Understand that this can be a very tense process and there may be disagreements if the will does not account for everything. If you are the executor, to distribute sentimental items fairly. You may have to wait a while for all involved to calm down and approach the situation with a clear head.

After all or most of the items in the home have been cleared out, it’s time to begin cleaning and making repairs or upgrades. Your real estate agent can be invaluable at this stage of the process. He or she will likely have a better idea of what improvements will help the home sell more quickly in your area.

Sell

When you are ready to list the home, determine how to stage the home. Keep in mind that a nearly empty house may actually be easier to sell. Try to keep the staging decorations pleasing to a wide variety of homebuyers. Avoid loud fragrances and accessories that could be off-putting. When it’s time to advertise the home, there are a multitude of approaches. According to recent research, over half of all home buyers found their future homes on the internet. However, flyers, yard signs, and other types of advertising can attract a variety of potential buyers. Typically, your agent will handle the bulk of this task.

Selling the home of a deceased loved one is often a very difficult task. In addition to the emotional strain, there will be paperwork and finances to handle. Family, friends, and professionals can all help with these tasks. Remember to give yourself plenty of time, and make a plan for getting everything done and staying organized.

This article was provided by Courtney Rosenfeld, a frequent contributor to our Blog, and brought to you by the RJ Fichera Law Firm, where our mission is to provide trusted, professional legal services and strategic advice to assist our clients in their personal and business matters. Our firm is committed to delivering efficient and cost-effective legal services focusing on communication, responsiveness, and attention to detail. For more information about our services, contact us today!

Content in this material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

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