The first step is confirming who has the legal authority to sign. While a parent is living, the home is still theirs, so the sale needs their signature or the signature of someone they named in a durable power of attorney. Families who get that settled early avoid the biggest delays. After that, the process usually runs in this order:
Confirm the paperwork. Check the deed, the power of attorney, and whether the house is held in a trust. An elder law or real estate attorney can confirm what’s needed.
Talk about money before anything else. Many families sell to help pay for care, so it helps to know the timeline and what the sale needs to net.
Decide what the parent wants to keep. Bring meaningful pieces to the new apartment first, then let family choose, then handle the rest through an estate sale company, consignment, or donation.
Secure the vacant house. Keep the heat on, have someone check it weekly, and call the homeowners insurance company, since many policies change once a home sits empty.
Make smart repairs only. Paint, cleaning, and fixing what an inspector would flag usually beat a big renovation.
Price it from real recent sales, not a neighbor’s guess or an online estimate.
This move is often emotional for everyone, especially when the parent has lived in the house for decades. Siblings in different states can see things differently, so keeping one person as the main contact and putting decisions in writing helps a lot.
Fred Gomberg, an SRES® (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach in Princeton, handles these sales regularly and coordinates the cleanout, repairs, and showings locally for families who live out of town. An early conversation, before the house is cleared out, saves the most time and stress.
