You don’t have to figure out Mom’s house by yourself.

With a conversation, not a dumpster. Before anyone hauls, paints, or lists anything, we walk through the house and talk about what’s going on: who’s moving, where, by when, and who gets to decide.

You leave with a short list of what needs to happen, in what order. That’s the start.

Some, maybe. Fewer than you think, usually. Safety problems and leaks, yes. A new kitchen, almost never.

I’ll tell you what I’d fix and what I’d leave alone. Read the guide to repairs →

First, the family takes what matters. Then, before anything gets thrown out, let an estate sale professional look. What sells will surprise you.

After that it’s donation and a clean-out. I can connect you with people for each step and keep them from tripping over each other.

Then you need one person on the ground. That’s me. I meet the estate sale company, let the contractor in, check on the house, and send you photos and updates.

Most of the paperwork can be signed from wherever you are. Read the out-of-state guide →

Tell me early. The title company will need to see the documents, and whether a power of attorney can be used to sell the house depends on how it’s written.

The legal questions belong to an attorney. My part is making sure the right people see the paperwork at the beginning, so it doesn’t become a closing-week surprise.

In order, ideally. Family keepsakes out first. Movers take what’s going to the new place. Then the estate sale. Then the clean-out. Then repairs, cleaning and photos.

Get the order wrong and you pay for it: the contractor can’t work around the furniture, or the clean-out crew removes what the estate sale would have sold. I keep the calendar.

Yes. He can live in the home while it’s on the market, and the closing and move-out dates can be negotiated so he isn’t rushed.

Sometimes it’s easier to move first and sell the house empty. Which is better depends on his health, his finances, and where he’s going. We’ll talk through both.

Honestly, it depends. Some families are ready in a few weeks. Others need several months.

The house is rarely the slow part. The belongings and the decisions are. Once we’ve walked through, I can give you a realistic timeline for your situation.