Question 1

Do my parents need to be involved in every conversation?

Accepted Answer

That depends on where your family is in the process. Early on, many adult children want to understand the options before involving a parent — especially if the conversation hasn't happened yet. We're comfortable starting there. When your parents are ready to be involved, we'll meet with them at whatever pace feels right. We're used to working with the whole family, not just one part of it.

Question 2

What if the home needs a lot of repairs before it can sell?

Accepted Answer

We'll walk you through the real math — what the home is worth as-is, what repairs would cost, and whether those repairs would actually net you more in the end. In most cases, especially when the family isn't local or doesn't want to manage a renovation, the numbers favor selling as-is. There are also buyers who specifically look for homes in this condition.

Question 3

What if siblings don't agree on what to do?

Accepted Answer

This is one of the most common situations we deal with. The key is getting everyone the same clear information at the same time — not filtered through one sibling who then has to explain it to the others. We're happy to do a group call or meeting where everyone can ask questions directly. Decisions made on shared facts tend to go much better than decisions made on assumptions.

Question 4

Are there tax benefits to selling a parent's home vs. holding it?

Accepted Answer

There can be — but it depends on how the home is titled and what the family plans to do with it. A parent who has lived in the home for two of the last five years may qualify for a significant capital gains exclusion. If the home is inherited, a stepped-up basis can dramatically reduce taxes. These are situations where a CPA conversation is essential — we'll connect you with the right one and make sure the real estate side aligns with whatever they advise.

Question 5

How do we bring up the subject without it feeling like we're taking over?

Accepted Answer

Start by framing it as planning together, not making decisions for them. Most seniors respond better to "I want to understand your options with you" than to "we need to talk about the house." We can also be a useful third party — sometimes it's easier to hear information from a professional than from a child. If it would help, we're happy to join a family conversation as a resource, not a salesperson.

Question 6

What does the SRES designation mean — and why does it matter here?

Accepted Answer

SRES stands for Senior Real Estate Specialist — a designation from the National Association of Realtors awarded to agents who complete specialized training in the housing needs of people 55 and older. That training covers the financial, emotional, and legal dimensions of senior transitions: from understanding how Medicare and Medicaid may interact with housing decisions, to working effectively with families navigating difficult conversations. It means Andy has been specifically prepared for this kind of work — not learning as he goes.

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Questions Families Usually Have

Do my parents need to be involved in every conversation?

What if the home needs a lot of repairs before it can sell?

What if siblings don't agree on what to do?

Are there tax benefits to selling a parent's home vs. holding it?

How do we bring up the subject without it feeling like we're taking over?

What does the SRES designation mean — and why does it matter here?

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