Buying a house from the recently deceased.

Lionel_Thinkbag

Sorry, I couldn't think of a better way to put it!

We've been looking at lots of probate properties. Has anyone had experience in buying such properties? I know they should be relatively straightforward sales but then I've heard stories where it becomes a long drawn out affair when someones long lost relative comes out of the woodwork to contest the will etc etc. Am I being paranoid?

Also, this isn't a very nice question but I've noticed many of these houses have a very distinct pervaisive odour, and its not damp or mildew or even urine - it sort of smells like unwashed hair to the power of 10, how easy is it to get rid of that smell? Assuming you're getting rid of carpets and repainting? It's not something that will linger is it?

G_M

Probate sales can have advantages. There is no chain which speedsthings up.

Probate sales can have disadvantages. The sale cannot Complete till the deceased's affairs are wound up. As you say, disputes over the Will could drag things out.

Smell? Sometimes an elderly person has lived in the property for decades, without redecorating. And if they suffered a slow decline, their cleaning may not have been so thorough in the later years?

Once you do a major renovation (paint, carpets, curtains, furniture and a good clean, it will be better than a 'ready-to-move-into' purchase.

hcb42

gosh having read that I dont know whether to be helpful or feel offended.

Having sold a property belonging to my parents, I can report that it was done without any (a) hiccups family wise or (b) significant smell.

Like anything, you have to do your homework on the house in question

CLAPTON

maybe the smell of any house that is not aired every day?

what is the first thing you do when returning from a weeks holiday?

(probate properties rarely have anyone living in them)

Lionel_Thinkbag

hcb42 wrote: »

gosh having read that I dont know whether to be helpful or feel offended.

Having sold a property belonging to my parents, I can report that it was done without any (a) hiccups family wise or (b) significant smell.

Like anything, you have to do your homework on the house in question

Sorry didn't mean to cause offence. It's just something I've noticed in a fair few of these types of houses. One that I viewed belonged to the uncle of my cousin, he was only 58 when he died and from what I was told didn't take care of himself or the house, so perhaps that was the cause. I didn't mean to suggest that it was all elderly people - I viewed a house today owned by a guy in his late 70's and that was fine.

Better_Days

I have viewed quite a few probate properties and they can be good value. But they are usually dated or very dated. Some are very dirty, some are grubby and some are just as any property would be having been left empty for months.

As G_M says do ask how many people have to agree about any offer. Also do your sums and add up how neccessary improvements (eg updating heating systems, consumer unit, carpets, decorating, kitchen, bathroom) will cost.

We looked at a very smelly property recently. There was a bed with some very rumpled bedding. EA said don't look under there, there is a soiled straw mattress.:eek: Probate properties are often sad and can really take you back in time.

Hermoine

We put my fathers house on the market about a month after his death - partly because none of us were living that close and we didn't want it to deteriorate when it was not lived in. We spoke to the solicitor who reassured us that probate wasn't going to be complicated, so if a buyer turned up quickly, getting probate wouldn't delay the sale. We were then lucky enough to get a buyer as soon as the property went on the market, and we got probate at about the time the buyer was ready to complete. As I remember, it took about 2 1/2 months from the moment it went on the market. From my experience, I'd suggest that you check with estate agents and via solicitors as early as possible whether probate is likely to be straightforward. If it is, them the process should be really quick. The only other point is that my parents had accumulated a lot of "stuff" in attics, sheds and outbuildings in the 30 years they'd been in the house. We paid to clear it before the sale was completed as it would have taken too long for us to do it ourselves. I suspect others might not be as scrupulous. I'd suggest you clarify this as soon as possible in the process!

Prothet_of_Doom

hcb42 wrote: »

gosh having read that I dont know whether to be helpful or feel offended.

Having sold a property belonging to my parents, I can report that it was done without any (b) significant smell.

Do not be offended. I suspect that you prepared the house for sale ?

I went to look at a bungalow, and it was as if the poor old lady had started to make breakfast, in her dressing gown...

Even the margeine tub was still open in the middle of the table, her hand bag sitting by her bed. Bin needing emptying.

My wife freaked out at this, (her gran had recently died) and we left.

I suspect that had it been cleared of all signs of the previous owner we would have bought it. :mad:

Oh and the smell.....:eek:

Dan-Dan

Times like this you need a clear mind in how it would look in your hands

moneyistooshorttomention

You lot are making me feel really cheerful NOT at the thought of my coming move. Errrrm...its a probate house..

I figured it must be relatively modern, as she had some modern touches (eg she was on the Internet).

Not looking forward to having to remove wallpaper and want those faded floorcoverings removed as soon as possible.

Now got me wondering why many of the windows were wide open when I viewed...

It was clear she was someone who was happy in the house and liked her garden. I just hope the house feels "blank canvas/empty" when I move in....

Davesnave

Better_Days wrote: »

Probate properties are often sad and can really take you back in time.

I think they are more likely to take us forward in time, to the place where some of us will be when we have 90+ years on the clock.

A few on this thread don't like the idea much, do they?