Losing a loved one is an emotional and challenging experience, and the responsibility of handling their property— distributing items, cleaning and selling their home—can feel overwhelming. We’ve put together a guide to help you navigate the process step by step, from sorting through personal belongings to preparing the property for sale.
Take Time to Process and Plan
Give yourself space and time to grieve before rushing to sell the home. This part takes a lot out of you. Selling a late loved one's home is not just a financial decision—it’s an emotional one, too. Hopefully your loved one left behind what they would like done with the home in their legal documents, stored in Deadbook. If not, we suggest gathering close family members to decide on a plan that honors your loved one’s wishes while being practical for all involved.
Understand the Legal and Financial Aspects
Selling a late loved one’s home often involves probate court unless the property was in a trust or the executor’s name was put on the loan prior to the passing. If it wasn’t in a trust,
File a petition to open probate (probate court) in the county of the home and submit the original will (if this exists)
Request an appointment as the executor
Once the court gives you authorization, you will receive legal documents that grant the executor authority to manage the estate.
Secure the Property
One of the first steps you should take after a loved one’s passing is securing their home. This means:
Changing the locks if necessary
Notifying the post office to forward mail to your address
Updating or canceling home utilities and insurance policies
We recommend keeping insurance until the house is sold, but updating to bundle with your own home insurance if possible
Assigning a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on the house
Continue paying mortgage, HOA, property taxes
This is where the accounts and logins section of Deadbook comes in
Gather Important Documents
Before you sell the home, ensure you have all the important documents below in one place, like Deadbook:
The will or trust
Deeds and mortgage statements
Homeowners insurance policy
Utility and property tax records
Any additional financial documents related to the estate
Sort and Distribute Belongings
Decluttering a loved one's home is an emotional task, but it helps to break it down into manageable steps:
Keep: Sentimental or essential items for family members
Donate: Items in good condition to charities
Sell: Valuable collectibles, jewelry, antiques, or furniture
Dispose: Broken, expired, or unusable items
If your loved one has left behind a list of items to bequeath and who to leave the items to, that’s a great place to get started.
Host an Estate Sale or Online Auction
Hosting an estate sale is an effective way to clear out belongings while generating extra funds for the estate. Consider hiring a professional estate sale company or using online platforms such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or estate auction sites to list items in exchange for money.
Clean and Repair the Home
A well-maintained home sells faster and at a better price. Consider if the house needs:
A deep cleaning - find a local cleaning company
Any structural or cosmetic issues fixed (peeling paint, broken fixtures, etc.)
Lawncare or cleanup of the outdoor area
Work with a Real Estate Agent
A real estate agent specializing in estate sales can help navigate the complexities of selling a deceased loved one’s home. They’ll guide you through:
Pricing the home appropriately
Staging and marketing the property
Negotiating with potential buyers
List and Sell the Home
Once the home is ready, your real estate agent will list it for sale and maximize the home’s visibility by leveraging:
High-quality listing photos
Virtual tours and online marketing
Open houses and private showings
Close the Sale and Move Forward
After accepting an offer, finalize the paperwork, transfer ownership, and close the estate. While this chapter may be difficult, selling a loved one’s home also offers closure in some areas.
Let Deadbook Guide You
Navigating the process of cleaning and selling a loved one's home can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone. Deadbook helps you organize estate planning, end-of-life wishes, and financial matters in one place—so your loved ones aren’t left with uncertainty.
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