What does your parent want?
Talk about the home, the care transition, and whether returning home is possible. Confirm who has authority before anyone signs or commits funds.
For families planning a move to senior care
A parent moves to senior care. What happens to the house?
Your parent is living, and the home remains their asset. A thoughtful plan starts with your parent’s wishes and legal rights—not with an assumption that the home must be sold.
Care needs may be urgent. The house decision may not.
A few questions can bring the next steps into focus.
Before authorizing a cleanout, repairs, or a sale, get a shared picture of what your parent wants, who may act, and what the property needs right now.
Who will look after it?
Check occupancy and insurance requirements. Plan for security, utilities, maintenance, bills, and regular property checks.
Which path fits the family?
There is no automatic answer. Compare the practical and financial tradeoffs before choosing what happens next.
KeepRentSell
A PRACTICAL INSURANCE EXAMPLE
Insurance deserves a second look.
In one recent property transition, the owners were paying approximately $1,500 per quarter for unoccupied-home insurance. After I connected them with another insurance professional, they found coverage at approximately $540 per quarter.
Coverage, eligibility, pricing, and policy terms vary by property and insurer, so compare limits, deductibles, exclusions, and vacancy or renovation classifications.
A REAL-WORLD LESSON
Vacant homes still need active protection.
In one vacant-home situation, utilities were shut off without a clear property-check plan. The home had a basement, and by the time the problem was discovered, it contained approximately four feet of water.
Keep essential utilities and protective systems operating, and make one person responsible for regular checks.
Start with a conversation.
I can help organize the property facts and compare the real-estate options—without rushing your family toward a decision.
This temporary page offers a starting point while the complete Parent Home Plan resource is added to LarryMacHomes.com. No signup required. The guide request opens a ready-to-send email. Legal, tax, insurance, and care decisions should be confirmed with the appropriate qualified professionals.