Should we sell Mom's house before or after she moves into care?

It depends on her timeline and how the move is being paid for. If the sale money is needed for the new residence, many families sell first or line up the closing dates so they overlap. If there's no rush, moving Mom first often makes the sale easier, because the house can be prepared and shown without disrupting her day. I walk through both options with the whole family before anyone signs anything.

Who has to agree before we can sell a parent's home?

The owner has to agree. If the parent can't sign, the person named in their power of attorney for property can sign for them. If the parent has passed away, the estate trustee named in the will handles the sale. Siblings usually don't have a legal say, but getting everyone on the same page early saves a lot of stress later, which is why family alignment is the first step of the Guided Move Method. For anything legal, I'll point you to an estate lawyer.

What do we do with everything in the house?

Start with what your parent wants to keep for their next home and what family members want. After that, the rest can be sold, donated or removed. I coordinate the selling or donating of furniture and contents, junk removal and cleaners, so you're not chasing five different companies. Most families are relieved to have a plan for this part, because it's usually the most emotional.

Do we need to renovate before we list?

Usually not. In most parents' homes, the best return comes from the basics: decluttering, cleaning, fresh paint, small repairs, yard work and good staging. Bigger renovations rarely pay for themselves before a sale. I'll tell you honestly which jobs are worth doing for that house and which ones aren't.

What is the Guided Move Method?

It's my six-step process for selling a family home, built from years of helping families through these moves: family alignment, a preparation plan, hands-on coordination, downsizing and senior transition support, strategic preparation and marketing, and transition resources and support after the sale. The idea is that you have one plan and one person managing it, from the first family conversation through moving day.

What does SRES® mean?

SRES® stands for Seniors Real Estate Specialist®. It's a designation for REALTORS® who complete extra training in helping people over 50 with housing decisions, like downsizing, moving closer to family, or moving into retirement living or care. For you, it means I understand the money and timing questions that come with a senior move.