For many parents today, downsizing is a natural part of life — but that reality doesn’t make the process any easier. Chances are, parents transitioning into a smaller house are leaving the place where they raised their kids and built a life, which means emotions (and nostalgia) are, fittingly, bound to run high. And then there are all the logistics to consider — from finding the right agent to sorting through precious mementos and making necessary upgrades.

Does the thought of getting your parents’ home ready for market feel more daunting than buying or selling your own? Don’t stress — we’ve got you covered. Keep reading for the most important steps you should take, and the top considerations to weigh, so your parents can sell successfully and start the next chapter of their lives on the right foot.

Have The Conversation

Once your parents have decided they’re ready to move, we suggest starting a conversation about how much help they want from you along the way. Defining your role early on will help eliminate unnecessary confusion in the coming months…and why make things harder than they need to be? Some items they might want your assistance with include:

– Collaborating with the agent
– Helping with sorting, packing, and throwing away/distributing items
– Deciding how to stage the house
– Finalizing a sale price
– All of the above!

Find An Agent Who Knows The Market

Have your parents been out of the real estate game for the past 20, 30, or even 40 years? In that case, now — more than ever — they need the support of a knowledgeable agent who can explain what selling their house might look like, guide them every step of the way, and help make the experience both smooth and positive.

Identify The Most Important Sales Factors

Do your parents have a date they must move by? Is there a target sales price that they expect to hit? Do they need to sell their house in order to move into their next home? These types of goals will drive many of the decisions you make next, which makes identifying them first particularly top of mind.

Need more advice on home selling? Check out these blogs next.

• Should You Hire a Friend to Sell Your Home?
• Top Home Selling Mistakes to Avoid
• How Long Does it Take to Sell a Home in DC?

To Spruce, Or Not To Spruce?

With the advice of your agent in mind, it’s now time to determine if the home will be sold as-is, or if you want to invest in valuable updates before going live.

Determine Residency Status

Another critical decision to make? Whether the house will be unoccupied and staged for showtime, or whether your parents will continue residing there until it’s sold. Of course, your Realtor can provide input on what strategy is best for the sale, but at the end of the day, it all comes down to your parents and what’s right for them.

Make Moves On Packing

First, determine if it’s worth hiring a downsizing/packing company to help clear out the home. If the answer’s yes, it’s in your best interest to engage them before packing begins. In our experience, working with a person or team who specializes in this type of move can be extremely helpful and save you & your parents a lot of time!

Sort Items In The Home

At this step, you’ll want to ask questions such as: Realistically, how many things can your parents take with them? What needs to be thrown out? What needs to be passed down (to charity, friends or family)? What can be sold?

Consider Storage Options

If your parents’ house will, in fact, be occupied during the sales process, you should determine if any of the items they’re taking with them will need to be moved to temporary storage while the house is on the market.

Have more questions about the selling process? Read these other blogs from our site for helpful insights.

• Should You Sell Your Home or Renovate It?
• Are Pre-Listing Home Inspections Worth It?
• How Much Does it Cost to Sell Your Home?

Not Selling As-Is? Here’s What You Should Do Next

– Take a detailed walk through the home. Engage plumbers, electricians, exterminators, roofers, or any experts you need to evaluate known issues with the home so you can size up what needs to be fixed.
– With your agent, determine what cosmetic upgrades should be made. These can include new paint, flooring, lighting, landscaping, etc.
– Ensure all improvements are made before the house goes on the market!

Hold An Open House

Once the house is ready for its photo-op, talk to your parents and agent about the logistics involved with hosting open houses. For instance: If there are showings booked when the house is still occupied, do your parents have a place to go? How far in advance do showings need to be booked in order to ensure your parents have adequate notice?

More On Cleaning Out The House

Without a doubt, one of the most challenging steps involved with selling your parents’ home is helping them pack invaluable memories away. Our advice? Temper your expectations now, so you’re prepared for what’s on the horizon.

On that note, here’s what you should know: Even if your parents are excited about the prospect of downsizing, the process can still be highly emotional and stressful for everyone involved — in large part due to the fact you’ll inevitably have to sell, give away, or distribute many of their things. Just take our word for it: Simply because a home seems to be well-organized doesn’t mean there aren’t heaps more items to sort through than originally meet the eye. Belongings can be jammed into drawers, cabinets, closets, garages, and basements, making the act of deciding what to keep or part with incredibly hard for even the most dispassionate people.

Case in point: Your parents might have spent a lot of money on an item that now has almost no monetary value, or there may be a family heirloom that means little to anyone but them. In other words: Be prepared for the sorting process to take weeks and potentially months, and remember that a little patience goes a long way!

The bottom line? Helping your parents downsize is a multifaceted process — and this guide is only the beginning. Feeling overwhelmed? Our team is here for you. Meet Sarah Bradley, the agent you can trust to sell your parent’s home and be there every step of the way.

Need help selling your parent’s home? Click here to get in touch with Sarah today!