Selling a home after the death of a loved one

On Behalf of | Aug 4, 2017 | Probate And Estate Administration

Nevada residents who are in charge of a sibling or parent’s home after that person dies may wonder what they should do with the home. There could be options such as selling the home or renting it out although if the person is not an experienced landlord, it may be a good idea to get help with the latter option. The person might also wonder what to do if there is a reverse mortgage on the house. It is important to not be overwhelmed. Speaking to professionals, including a realtor, may be helpful. The difficulty of knowing how to proceed may be compounded by the grief and stress surrounding the loved one’s death.

If the person decides to sell the loved one’s home, there are several steps that should be taken. While it may not be a good idea to put a lot of money into the house at this stage, the person may want to take some steps to make the house more cosmetically appealing to potential buyers.

For example, cleaning out the house and repainting may be a good idea. Carpet can be replaced and wood floors cleaned or refinished. The outside of the house should be attended to as well including the lawn. Finally, the person might want to check the electricity and plumbing in the house.

If the home has been passed on through a will, it will probably have to go through probate before any of these steps can be taken. An attorney who has estate administration experience can often be of assistance at this time.