Helping your parents sell their home (or selling on their behalf) isn’t your average real estate journey. Along with the basics, there are a lot of unique nuances and special factors involved – not to mention emotions.
That said, with the right planning and preparation, the process doesn’t need to be stressful or overwhelming. In this blog, we’ll touch on some important tips for helping your parents sell.
Be Proactive
Just like if you were selling your own home, helping your parents take theirs to the market will require a fair amount of planning. With that in mind, it helps to think ahead (if it’s possible). There are a lot of steps involved in a home sale and they don’t all need to happen at once. Therefore, getting the ball rolling early can help make the selling process feel less rushed and take away some of the stresses that may arise.
Of course, life doesn’t always follow a pre-set schedule and unexpected events or surprises can happen. If you find yourself selling on a tight timeline, that’s okay too. However, it does make the process of being proactive even more important.
Searching for home-selling advice? We’ve got you covered. Check out these other blogs for important insights!
- How to Find a Reliable Real Estate Agent
- Is Now a Good Time to Sell My House?
- Do I Need to Make Property Upgrades Before I Sell?
Find the Right Help
Once you’re ready to put the wheels in motion, it’s time to find professional support for your parents’ home sale – i.e. a local real estate agent. When it comes to selling a home (no matter who it belongs to) there’s no detail more important than the agent you choose to work with.
So what makes a great, trustworthy real estate agent? One of the most important qualities to look for is experience. An agent with several decades of experience will have sold a wide range of properties (including some that are just like your parents’ home) in a wide range of market conditions (including conditions just like the current market). Using this real-world experience, they’ll be well-equipped to help you get a great result.
As a bonus, look for a real estate agent who has specific experience in working with older clients. Some may even have a dedicated system in place for supporting seniors.
Want to know more about getting the best result from the sale of your parents’ home? Check out these blogs next.
- How to Price a Home to Sell
- Selling a Home During the Winter Months
- Moving Up to a New Home – Should You Buy or Sell First
Know if You Need Power of Attorney
Depending on your personal circumstances, you may be required to obtain Power of Attorney (POA) before you’re able to sell your parents’ home. In simple terms, POA grants you permission to make legally binding decisions on behalf of someone who is unable to attend to their own affairs – usually due to medical reasons or similar circumstances.
Because of the legalities involved, being granted POA can be a bit of a process. So, if you think you may need POA in order to sell your parents’ home or you’re unsure, ask your lawyer. They can assess your situation and point you in the right direction.
Keep Communication Top of Mind
Depending on the circumstances, you may not be the only person taking the reins on your parents’ home sale and could find yourself helping alongside siblings, extended family members, friends, or even your parents themselves. So, as you approach the sale of your parents’ home, keep communication top of mind.
Selling your parents’ home – especially one they’ve lived in for a long time involves a lot of moving pieces (and a whole lot of emotions). With that in mind, it’s important to keep an open and honest dialogue with everyone involved. Strong communication will make the process as easy and low-stress as possible. While having a lot of cooks in the kitchen can make things more complicated, strive to ensure everyone feels heard, respected and involved when appropriate.
Looking for a compassionate real estate team that can help you sell your parents’ home? We’re here for you. Call 905-985-7300 to reach our team or click here to send us an email.
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