When someone passes away, they typically leave behind a few things. While some belongings may be shared among family members, donated, or thrown away, larger assets like the home are sold.
In Ontario, selling a person’s home that has passed away is known as an estate sale. Most often, this process is handled by an immediate family member.
If you’ve been tasked with selling a loved one’s house, knowing where to begin can be a challenge, especially while dealing with the emotions it can come with.
As a Peterborough and Kawartha Lakes Realtor, I understand the nuances of estate sales and the unique needs of families navigating them.
In this blog post, I’m sharing a few pieces of advice to help you prepare for selling a house as part of an estate sale.
Understand Your Role and Responsibilities
It’s not uncommon for multiple people to want to be involved in an estate sale. If you’ll be working with siblings, relatives, or other loved ones, you’ll want to define each role early on.
Usually, it’s the executor named in the will (also called an estate trustee) who takes the lead during an estate sale, while other family members offer help and support along the way.
Ensuring everyone understands their role and responsibilities before getting into the core components of the sale can prevent miscommunications.
Connect With a Local Real Estate Agent
Once you’ve determined your role in the estate sale, your next step is to hire a real estate agent. The earlier you do this, the more ways an agent can support you.
Choosing a Realtor isn’t just a formality; it’s one of the most crucial decisions you will face when selling a loved one’s home. Beyond helping you get a great return, the right professional can make the estate sale process significantly easier.
Do your research and consider multiple options before making a decision. You’ll want a professional who is local to the area and has direct experience with estate sales, even better if they offer a full service experience.
Need personalized support? Discover my estate sale services.
Complete Probate
Even if you’ve been named as the executor in the homeowner’s will, you will likely need to complete the probate process. In simple terms, probate is when the Provincial Court confirms your role as an estate trustee, granting you the legal authority to sell the house.
In Ontario, probate can take multiple weeks to be processed. Therefore, it’s a good idea to get started as early as possible.
If you need help, your agent can connect you with a local real estate lawyer.
Declutter and Manage Belongings
Before listing the house for sale, you’ll need to do some decluttering. Go through the property room by room and decide which items will be kept, which will be donated, and which will be recycled or thrown away.
Clearing out the house can feel like a monumental task on its own. Once again, this is where a full service real estate agent can make a world of difference.
As a Realtor, I’m able to coordinate decluttering and junk removal services on my clients’ behalf, ensuring they don’t have to lift a finger while simultaneously helping them reach the market faster.
Need real estate advice? You’ll find tips on a wide range of topics in these blog posts!
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- Why Sell Your House With Roger Currier
- Why You Need A Free Home Value Analysis
Make Market-Conscious Preparations
When done right, repairs, renovations, and other strategies like home staging can add significant value to the home. With that in mind, your real estate agent may recommend additional preparations after the property has been cleaned and decluttered. Even small changes like a fresh coat of paint can go a long way.
Understand the Importance of Pricing
Pricing is an intricate aspect of any home sale. While emotions and sentimental value may influence your opinion of what the property is worth, it’s important to trust your real estate agent’s guidance on choosing an asking price. A strategic, carefully picked price maximizes the home’s exposure without leaving money on the table.
Wondering what your parents’ house could be worth?
Schedule a property evaluation.
Guiding Your Estate Sale
The idea of managing an estate sale can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t need to be. With the right Realtor by your side, you can sell a loved one’s home smoothly and seamlessly.
That’s where I come in, Roger Currier.
Having sold homes across Peterborough and the Kawarthas for more than 30 years, I’ve developed a specialized process for families facing estate sales. My approach is full service and completely tailored to your individual needs, allowing you to take a step back and focus your energy on what matters most.
Selling real estate? I can help! Reach me at 705-927-2774 or email roger@teamcurrierhomes.ca
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