01Start with who can make the decision
If the owner is selling, they sign. If a family member is helping under a power of attorney, ask a lawyer to confirm the document covers selling real estate before anyone accepts an offer; a power of attorney ends when the person dies. If the home is a spouse’s homestead, that spouse may need to consent to the sale. Everyone involved should have independent legal advice.
02Line the sale up with the move
Moves into care or a smaller home often have their own dates. Tell any buyer the timeline you need. A later possession date, or extra time to remove belongings, can be written into a purchase agreement if both sides agree.
- Confirm the move-in date for the new home or care residence
- Decide which belongings stay with the family
- Ask whether furniture or items can be left behind, and put it in writing
- Keep utilities and insurance active until closing, and tell the insurer if the house will sit empty
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