Q: How can you sell a home that's a part of an estate without putting a lot of money into it? My siblings and I have been trying to sell my mother's home, after she passed. It is a wonderful home, but she was 86 years old and the basement has not been cleaned in probably 10-15 years. We have not gotten an offer in over six months.
A: First, condolences on the loss of your mother. Managing the estate of a loved one isn't an easy task.
Make the house inviting
When selling a house that's part of an estate, you may assume potential buyers should expect a certain degree of repairs would be necessary upon purchasing the property. Unfortunately, many buyers are looking for a home that's turnkey. The good news is there's a lot you can do to help improve its chances on the real estate market.
Selling a house that's a part of an estate is like selling any other house. Your situation isn't uncommon, in that when an elderly family member dies, the house typically is dated and sometimes unkempt.
Clear out and clean up
The first thing you can do, which doesn't cost a dime, is to clear out her belongings. Once your family has taken what they want, sell, donate or toss the remaining items. You want to give potential home buyers an empty canvas instead of a cluttered mess when they walk through the house.
A deep cleaning would be next on the list. If you don't want to do it yourself, consider hiring a house cleaning service, which averages $200 to $400 for a deep clean, depending on the size of the house.
Repair, repaint, replace
Fix anything that needs to be repaired, or be prepared to compensate for broken items in the home's final sale price. Any experienced buyer will want to conduct a home inspection before signing on the dotted line, so if the house needs a new water heater and furnace, you'll have to either put in a new one or lower the price
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for a house — stick with neutral colors. If you're feeling ambitious, replace old light fixtures and faucets with more contemporary styles. Don't forget about curb appeal. Make sure the lawn is mowed, shrubs trimmed and add seasonal flowers for a touch of color.
Angie Hicks is founder of AngiesList.com.
