Selling a Parent’s Home Around the Move

Selling a parent's home comes with a move to plan, a house full of memories, and siblings in different states who all want to hear what's going on.

 

I'm Tim Desmarais, a Realtor in Lowell and Dracut with Keller Williams Success Realty. I help families sell a parent's home when the parent is moving to a smaller place, a 55+ community, assisted living or closer to family. We plan the sale around the move.

Start with the move, then the sale

Before we talk price, I'll ask where Mom or Dad is going, and when.

 

If the new apartment or community has a move-in date, we work backward from it: when to list, when to close, and whether a short rent-back would save your parent from moving twice. If the date is still open, you can take your time.

Working with families who live out of town

In a lot of senior moves, the adult children live out of town. I keep the whole family updated, so one sibling doesn't end up relaying every phone call to the others.

 

You don't have to be here for most of the work. I can handle showings, inspections, repair quotes and paperwork while you follow along by phone. In Massachusetts, attorneys run the closing, and many let you sign documents ahead of time. Ask the closing attorney what works for your family.

Who can sign?

Sort this out first. If your parent can sign, the sale works like any other. If not, the person signing needs legal authority, such as a power of attorney or court approval. If the home sits in a trust, or your parent has passed away, the trustee or the estate's representative signs.

 

Families' situations differ. Talk with an elder law or estate attorney before you list, so the right person is ready to sign.

What to do with the house first

Less than most families expect. A house someone lived in for decades needs cleanup, paint and a few repairs far more often than a renovation.

I once sold a Dracut property for a client whose brother had passed away. It needed a full clean-up, and the family had legal issues with the town to resolve before it could sell. Most houses are far simpler, and even that one sold once we had a plan.

I'll walk through the house and tell you what's worth doing and what the next owner can handle. Clean-out and estate-sale companies can clear what the family doesn't keep. Ask me for names.

 

Massachusetts steps to plan for

- Smoke and CO certificate: the local fire department checks the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms before closing.
- Lead paint notice: homes built before 1978 need a lead paint disclosure, and many Lowell and Dracut homes are older than that.
- Deed excise tax: the seller pays $4.56 per $1,000 of the sale price.


I'll help you get each one scheduled.

 

What families say

Real feedback from the people I'm proud to serve.

FAQ

Can I sell my parent's house if I live out of state?

Often, yes. I can handle showings, inspections and most paperwork while you're away, and I'll keep the family updated. The person signing needs the legal authority to sell, such as a power of attorney, so check with an attorney before you list.

Should we sell before or after my parent moves?

Do we need to empty the house before listing?

How do we know what the house is worth?

Helping a parent plan a move?

We can start with a conversation, and you won't be committing to anything. Call or text me at 603-765-1965, or get a free home value estimate. If your parent is moving to a smaller home, see my downsizing page. My Lowell page has local prices and selling steps, and my selling page explains how I work.

Pelham Public Library, Pelham NH