A Guide to Dealing with a Deceased Estate

We understand that in times of grief, the decisions you make are influenced by emotions. Saying goodbye to a loved one and their former home, with all the memories and possessions that it may contain, can be a complicated and emotional process. Here is our guide to help you through this time –

Choose a solicitor and agent with experience in this area

Selling a deceased estate is a complex legal and financial process that will require a solicitor and real estate agent who are experienced in this area.

Both your agent and solicitor must have the ability to empathise with your family during this time.

In addition to being experienced, you also need an agent that you can trust to do the best by you, who respects and understands your emotional involvement, and will work within the time frame you require.

Make sure probate is done before starting the process

Remember, you can sell and market the property before having probate completed, but unless your probate is complete, you cannot settle. Avoiding this step will increase the stress surrounding the process and potentially delay the sale, so ensure this is taken care of first.

Choose one family representative

This is an emotional journey for the entire family, and we understand multiple parties will want to be involved in the decision-making process. However, from our experience, it is best to select one family representative to be the point of contact for your agent. By selecting one member of the family, the process will be far smoother and lessen the risk of any miscommunication.

Auction is the way to go

Auctions allow for a result that is open and transparent. We highly recommend an auction campaign for the estate to avoid potential conflict surrounding the final sale price.

If the property is dated or needs come maintenance, consider styling or refurbishing the property, as this can substantially impact the final sale price. Carefully consider the property with objective eyes and take the time to fix the forgotten issues, like that creaky window or that rusty door handle. We can put you in touch with suppliers who can help you with every step of preparing the home.

Finally, agree on a price guide that is competitive and ensure that all parties are committed to this to avoid any dramas on auction day.

Deceased estates are a sensitive area that require expert advice and guidance from the best agents and solicitors. At Ray White, we pride ourselves on ensuring the process is as seamless and stress-free for your family as possible.