You have a lot weighing on you when you're the personal representative of an estate. You feel the weight of your loss, and the weight of your responsibilities. You want to faithfully carry out your duties. At the same time there are so many details to be attended to, so many decisions to be made. 

Selling your loved one's home

It can be tremendously helpful to think of the sale as a group effort, where you bring in local specialists to address the work that needs to be done. With each specialist doing their part, your physical and emotional load become much more manageable. Here are 5 key areas to focus on in advance of the sale. 

Item disposition/removal 

You and your family members will decide what personal items will stay with the family. For those items that won't stay, we recommend bringing in local professionals to help you donate, sell, and dispose of the remaining items, as appropriate. Depending on your situation, this may include bringing in a trusted company for an estate sale. 

Yard care  

Hiring a local company to assist with lawn care, yard clean-up, and snow removal will help you stay focused on your most important duties as the personal representative. 

Home repair and minor cosmetic updates 

Chances are, the home will require some maintenance and repairs. It's also possible that the home will benefit from a few simple cosmetic updates. You could sell the home "as is", but selectively addressing a few repairs and updates will maximize the financial benefit your family receives from the sale. 

Cleaning

A professional cleaning company and carpet cleaner will take hours of work off your plate, and help you stay focused on your most important duties as the personal representative. 

Project management 

This is the vital role played by your realtor. Your project manager/realtor will help you oversee all of the above activities, and develop a timeline and plan for all of the work to be done. A big part of this role is helping you hire the right professionals. Professionals who will do a great a job for you and your family, and for a fair fee, too. 

What questions do you have about selling your loved one's home? As your dedicated real estate professionals, we are here to help you make the right decisions, hire the right people, and manage all of the important activities leading up to the sale. Contact us for a helpful planning session. We'd love to be a resource for you.