Sometimes, your loved one’s will directly states who will inherit their home, or at least directs you what to do with the home after they pass away.
However, there are many cases where selling your loved one’s home is the way forward, whether it is out of necessity or choice. Preparing a house for sale usually means addressing some repairs and updates to increase curb appeal and value – but does that apply to your loved one’s probate property?
Should I make repairs?
There are two main challenges that you could face when it comes to repairing your loved one’s home for a probate sale. They generally include:
- Time: Repairing and preparing a house for sale takes time. In the middle of probate proceedings, you may not be able to dedicate so much time to assessing and making the proper repairs.
- Money: Of course, the cost of repairs depends on the type of repairs the house needs. Even so, Better Homes & Gardens reported that two average repair projects cost roughly $2,231 – and that cost only looks to increase in 2022. Additionally, money can pose a particular challenge when it is necessary to sell the house in order to pay off debts the estate still holds.
Investing time and money into this project can be difficult while navigating the loss of a loved one as well as the other tasks of probate.
What are my options?
How you choose to move forward generally depends on your specific case and circumstances. If you have the time and financial wiggle room, you can certainly obtain an inspection, an appraisal and then make the necessary repairs to your loved one’s home before a sale. The other option could be to sell the house as-is.
Selling the house as-is is often a more attractive option for many people facing probate. It is allowed under Florida law, as long as you make the proper disclosures needed in this type of sale.
However, there are a few things to consider when it comes to this option:
- This type of sale may not generate as much profit
- But this process is often faster than a traditional sale
- You can usually save time and money selling as-is
You must still make sure you adhere to Florida’s rules regarding probate properties when selling a house as-is. It will help to assess your situation as well as the condition of your loved one’s house to help you decide which option will work best for you.