Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult situations we all have to go through in our lifetimes, whether it is a partner, friend or relative. As much as it a dated cliché, unfortunately the only thing guaranteed in life appears to be death and we must all reluctantly seek to manage the pain and grief in ways that we are most comfortable with – and that is before the complex administrative, bureaucratic and financial issues. 

 

We understand that selling a house after a bereavement is tough, therefore hope the knowledge and experience shared below will help ease some of the process for you.

 

Your state of mind comes first

 

Property and financial matters most certainly come second in matters of bereavement. You might still be coping with bereavement and have your ongoing responsibilities to manage, such as your employment, family and dependants. The closer the loved one, the greater the impact on you may be, therefore if you are still in shock or feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, it can be of help to talk about your feelings to a friend, family member, counsellor or your doctor. 
 

Prioritise your welfare and those around you during this time. Financial forms and documents will always be there to complete or sign, but give yourself the time you need first and get support from friends, family and advisors (such as your solicitor) if you are feeling overwhelmed. Remember, you are not alone and there is plenty of support to help you. Please refer to our useful links section for further support sources. 

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Secure the property
 

If the house of the bereaved is now unoccupied it is important that you secure the property accordingly to protect any of the previous owner’s possessions. It may be worth popping in every now and again just to check that all is intact. For an extra sense of security, you could also set a timer on the lights to give the house a lived in look to passers by.

 

Care for the pets

 

Pets are often left to others in a will, however, they will still need looking after during the time in between. Ensure that they are fed and cared for appropriately. If you are unable to take them into your own home, ask another relative or temporarily place them in care.

 

Cancel subscriptions

 

In times of grief, sometimes the smallest of things such as recurring orders and subscriptions are overlooked. Make sure you cancel orders and services such as the internet, gardeners, cleaners and the groceries to avoid any unexpected charges.

 

Sell the house quickly

 

Following a bereavement and amidst organising a funeral, actioning the will and administering the probate, a quick bereavement house sale might make a difficult time somewhat more bearable.
 

Losing someone is hard enough as it is and selling a property in any situation is a stressful thing in itself. A combination of those two is understandably very unwelcome. In our experience many of our clients have preferred for it to be dealt with in good time without any hiccups.

 

Often inherited properties are not in the same area as our client’s hometown, making it difficult to find a good local agent and maintain the property whilst waiting for a buyer. Most people also do not have the extra time available to deal with more admin work and maintenance work which a property brings along. In some situations, a property has been inherited by several siblings or other family members. Who looks after the property, who deals with the financial side of things, who is in charge and so forth can create a lot of friction which is disappointing. A quick sale is therefore often desired to avoid all this.
 

The property market is continually changing so it can be near impossible to know how quickly your house will sell. Furthermore, the longer the sales process is drawn out, the longer it will take to begin fully moving on with your life. We understand that a bereavement house sale is a tough and emotional process, that is why we offer private house sales that are quick and flexible. After the sale is completed and the funds are received, we are happy to let you stay in your property for a couple of weeks rent free until you have found your feet. There is no rush once the exchange has happened, which may be helpful in your situation.
 

Sell with comfort, trust and peace of mind
 

Whilst client's have chosen to sell their house to us simply for convenience and peace of mind, we have also been made to recognise that we are a great solution for those going through a difficult time, particularly when a property has been inherited.
 

We understand that selling an inherited house is not an easy thing to do and are very sensitive to this topic. We are incredibly proud of our personal service where you talk directly to us as opposed to frustrating and impersonal call centres. We do not have a pressurised, sales-led, corporate culture which tries to force you into a sale - quite the opposite in fact. We are more than happy to have an open, no obligation, no cost conversation where we can discuss your situation, needs and answer any queries you may have. 
 

If you are considering a private sale we would be more than happy to make you an offer which you can consider in your own time, taking as long as you need. If you decide you do not want to proceed, no problem at all but we hope you found our discussions helpful. For further details please also refer to our FAQs.
 

Final word
 

Firstly, we truly hope that you are well and that the above advice answers some of the questions and doubts you may have around what to do next with the house.
 

Secondly, we recognise that is highly likely that not all of the answers to any questions you may have are answered here. We recommend you also seek impartial, confidential and professional advice on topics you may wish for more guidance or information on. For example, inheritance tax rules are forever evolving, therefore we would always suggest starting at the Citizens Advice bureau which will guide you to the right support and importantly, up to date Government pages and advice. Please refer to our useful links section for a full list of further support sources. 
 

Lastly, we appreciate every family and inheritance situation is different, but if you are currently selling an inherited property and feel that we can help, please feel free to contact us. 
 

Whatever you decide, we wish you well and the best of luck.

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