My Experience Selling An Inherited Home

Dealing with a loved one’s home after their passing can be an emotional and overwhelming experience. When my mother-in-law passed away, my husband and I faced the challenging task of handling her home. As an only child, my husband inherited the property, but we had different opinions about what to do with it.

The house was a charming 3 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom ranch that my father-in-law had built in 1953. It was in need of renovations, with outdated kitchen cabinets, counters, and floors, as well as three layers of wallpaper and carpet hiding the beautiful wood floors. I saw potential in the house and wanted to renovate it before selling, while my husband preferred to clean it out and sell it as-is.

Renovating An Inherited Home

Clearing out my mother-in-law’s belongings was emotionally draining, but instead of having a tag sale, we decided to hire a junk hauler to take everything and donate any worthwhile items. I took on the role of contractor, managing every aspect from demolition to painting and hiring various contractors such as flooring installers, handymen, power washers, plumbers, electricians, and chimney sweeps.

Despite the challenges I faced, including the flooring guy going out of business and the handyman installing the kitchen cabinets incorrectly🤦‍♀️, I finally succeeded in transforming the house. Regardless of the fact that I went over budget and lost some sleep in the process, seeing the end result was incredibly rewarding.

Before & After Photos

Selling An Inherited Home

In just two days, we received two offers and accepted a cash offer that was $5,000 above our list price. Although the emotional toll was great, we were able to honor my mother-in-law’s memory by giving her beloved family home a new life.

I’m not sure I would choose to renovate again, selling as-is can be a lot less stressful and less time-consuming. If I were to do it again, I would take the extra time and hold a tag sale, including being more realistic about the budget and ensuring that only top-quality professionals were hired. Managing the progress and being present in the process is crucial to avoid any setbacks.

At the end of the day, renovating and selling my mother-in-law’s home was a bittersweet experience. But knowing that we were able to give the home a new life and honor her memory made it all worth it.

Need To Sell An Inherited Home?

If you find yourself in a similar situation and need help, reach out to me at 614-830-9767. We’ll discuss your situation and your needs to determine the best path for you and your family.

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