How do I sell a house after a loved one passes away?
Written and reviewed by Andrew Ragusa, Licensed Real Estate Broker and Broker of Record, REMI Realty LLC — 11+ years of transactions across Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
The short answer
When you have to sell a home after a loved one passes away, the first step is to give yourself permission to pause. Take a deep breath, allow yourself time to grieve, and don't rush into a high-stress process. That said, it's also important not to wait too long — ongoing expenses like mortgage payments, taxes, maintenance, and utilities on a Long Island property can add up quickly.
Once you are ready, speak with an appropriate attorney. If an executor, administrator or trustee has already been appointed, that person should be part of the conversation. The attorney can help determine whether probate or administration is required, what documentation may be needed and who has legal authority to act.
Once the appropriate attorney has confirmed who is legally authorized to act, I can handle the real estate side—evaluating the house, reviewing the numbers, coordinating cleanout or contractor work if needed, and preparing and marketing the property. I am not a probate attorney and do not advise families about wills, trusts, probate requirements or legal authority to sign.
Once the property is under contract, the buyer's attorney or title company will ordinarily order a title report to identify matters affecting ownership or the transfer of the deed. If the report identifies an estate, lien, ownership or deed issue, the attorneys determine what must be resolved before closing. This is part of the transaction and closing process; it is not a preliminary step the seller needs to complete simply because the owner died.