Step 1: Deciding to sell
- Confirm that a home sale is the right financial path (explore alternatives first — VA benefits, bridge loans, ALTCS)
- Consult an elder law attorney if Medicaid may be relevant to the situation
- Discuss timing with the care community — get a realistic move-in date before setting a closing target
- Have a family conversation to align on the decision and who will be responsible for what
Step 2: Before you list
- Get a free home valuation — know what you're working with before making any plans
- Decide what stays, what goes to family, and what will be handled by an estate sale company
- Schedule an estate sale if needed — Ben works with trusted estate sale companies throughout the Valley
- Complete any repairs or improvements that will meaningfully affect sale price (don't over-improve — ask Ben what's worth doing)
- Deep clean and declutter the property
- Consider professional staging or photography (Ben coordinates this)
- Gather important documents: deed, mortgage payoff statement, HOA documents, utility records, appliance warranties
- Confirm the title is clear — if your loved one has cognitive decline, legal authority (Power of Attorney or guardianship) must be in place
Step 3: During the listing period
- Review and sign the listing agreement
- Confirm the listing price reflects both market value and your timeline needs
- Make the property available for showings — this may mean coordinating around your loved one's schedule if they're still living there
- Review all offers carefully — price matters, but so do contingencies and closing date flexibility
- Negotiate a closing date that aligns with the care move-in timeline
- Accept an offer and open escrow
Step 4: During escrow (typically 21–45 days)
- Buyer's inspection: respond to any requests for repairs or credits
- Appraisal: if the buyer is financing, the lender will order an appraisal
- Coordinate the final move-out of belongings
- Arrange utilities cancellation to coincide with closing
- Do a final walkthrough of the property
- Sign closing documents (can be done remotely if your loved one is already in care)
Step 5: After closing
- Receive sale proceeds — confirm the amount matches the settlement statement
- Consult with your elder law attorney before moving proceeds if Medicaid may be relevant
- Forward mail and update address with relevant institutions
- Cancel or transfer homeowner's insurance
- Notify relevant parties of the sale (estate, financial accounts, etc.)
- Breathe. You did it.
Ben handles most of this for you. His role in a senior transition sale isn't just to list and show — it's to coordinate the entire process so your family doesn't have to manage every moving piece alone.