Background

EstateCo recently helped manage an estate inherited by three heirs: two sisters residing in California and a brother living in their father’s home in Florida. The brother, who served as the primary caregiver for their father, continued to live in the house after their father’s passing. The siblings wanted to sell the property. However, as time passed, the house required an extensive cleanout, and the brother lacked the financial means to move out and prepare the property for sale. With the holidays approaching, the family hoped to complete the sale by Christmas to maximize the estate’s value and share its proceeds. 

The Challenge

The siblings faced two key obstacles:

Relocation Costs
The brother, who had been living in the father’s home and serving as his caregiver, wanted to begin clearing out the house and relocating. However, he lacked the financial resources to make the move. The house itself, filled with decades’ worth of personal items, required substantial effort to organize and clean, making it challenging for the brother to handle the situation on his own.

EstateCo’s full-service approach is designed to handle every detail, including property cleanout, so clients can focus on what matters most. The company encourages families to take only sentimental or important items, while EstateCo takes care of the rest. In fact, 95% of clients never have to handle the cleanout themselves. However, in this particular case, both sisters chose to fly in from California to support their brother in packing, organizing, and sorting through their father’s belongings. The cost of airfare, accommodation, and time off work was a significant burden, creating added stress on the family.

Time Sensitivity
The family’s timeline was also a critical issue. They wanted to sell the home by the holidays, giving them only two months to:

• Clear the house of personal belongings
• Relocate the brother to the sister’s home
• Make necessary repairs and prepare the house for listing
• Navigate the complexities of selling a property

Without the necessary funds and logistical support, the family risked losing valuable time, which could lead to the property sitting unsold, racking up maintenance costs, and further delaying access to their inheritance.

EstateCo Solution

EstateCo provided a customized solution that addressed both the family’s immediate financial needs and the logistical challenge of preparing the property for sale. This solution included:

Relocation Advance
EstateCo offered an $11,000 advance to the brother, enabling him to cover moving expenses and make necessary relocation arrangements. This advance included funds to cover travel costs for the sisters, allowing them to fly to Florida and help with the move.

Repair Advance
EstateCo advanced approximately $5,000 for necessary repairs, coordinating all improvements for the family. EstateCo’s selling strategy involves spending the least amount of money on improvements to achieve the best selling result, and discussing all expenses with the heirs before any work begins.

No Impact on Future Inheritance
The advances did not affect the brother’s future share of the inheritance. After the sale, he would still receive his portion of the proceeds, less the amount advanced. This flexibility ensured that the family could proceed with the move and sale without worrying about depleting their inheritance prematurely.

Comprehensive Support
EstateCo went beyond offering financial assistance by providing comprehensive support throughout the entire process. The team was available to answer questions and assist as needed, ensuring the family wasn’t overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation.

Property Sale Timeline
EstateCo worked with the family to outline a clear plan for preparing the house for sale, targeting a 6- to 8-week timeline to have the property listed on the market. 

Results

EstateCo’s assistance allowed the family to overcome the financial and logistical barriers that initially delayed the sale. With the funds from the advance, the brother could move out of the house and relocate with the support of his sisters. The property is now on track to be sold within the desired timeframe, giving the family the best opportunity to access their inheritance by the holiday season.