Dealing with a deceased parent's house

[Stalbansclaret]

Thought I would tap into the UpTheClarets knowledge base as this has helped me with a couple of things in the past.
Sadly my dad...a lifetime Claret and a JMU ST holder....passed away a month ago. My mum died a couple of years go so I now have to deal with emptying and then selling their home in Colne. This seems a fairly daunting prospect, even leaving the emotional aspect aside, and I wonder if anyone who has been in a similar position has any advice ? I am wondering if there are any reputable "one-stop" local firms who could help empty the house and provide either a fair price or a "good home" for the contents. Or any advice at all really. Thanks.

[ClaretPope]

I can’t comment on sales of contents but I used the British Heart Foundation to clear a lot of furniture, clothes, books etc to clear a relative’s house. They collected. Open Door Furniture Recycling May also be interested in the furniture.

[Quickenthetempo]

Most estate agents sell and rent houses so will have plentry of companies or contacts for things like this I imagine.

[Quickenthetempo]

Also if you're selling to a first time buyer they might like to purchase your things.

[Aclaret]

Can't contribute any advice St Albans, just to say sorry for your loss.

[Top Claret]

Take what you want, get the best price for owt what's worth owt and dump the rest. That is what I did when I cleared out my parents house 6 month ago.

I sold the property in quick sticks and got a house clearance guy to clean the place up, I took the rest up the tip.
No place for sentiment in this world needs must

[thatdberight]

A sad time for you. My only word of caution would be, daunting as it may be, to thoroughly go through everything if you haven't already. Not for the unlikely valuables, but to make sure there's nothing there you want, either because of links to your parents or something that was yours earlier in life. I've made that mistake.

I can't help with the specific you asked about, sorry.

[IanMcL]

Have had to clear parents/parents in law and partner's mother's flat. All different!

Parents (with sister), we checked out places where my dad might have stuffed notes! Removed all paperwork. Took one of two things for memories and left rest to young folk buying the property.

Parents in law, with wife, paperwork, certain items of antique furniture (They were old) and then a house clearance, which raised some funds.

Partner's mother - much paperwork. Charities, council tip and some charity pick ups.

My only advice would be to search first before any other decision. More than one quote if cleared....you might make some money.

Sorry for your loss, above all.

[The Enclosure]

Perhaps put smaller stuff like ornaments.crockery,books etc into cardboard boxes and take them to Karlen Auctions in Burnley.
Also larger items like vacuum cleaner, white goods,tools and furniture etc can all go to auction.What doesnt sell give to charity or tip.
Make sure you go through all paperwork and photos carefully,best to put all this together and take home to go through at your leisure.

[spadesclaret]

My best advice is take your time. Unless there is good reason to get everything done quickly, give yourself space and time to think things through.

The Salvation Army is usually helpful with taking clothes and furniture. Far better to give to them or to a local charity shop than to try making money from second hand goods.

Go through all paper work very carefully. I found a stack of letters written between my parents in the early war years plus other letters sent to my father when he was a Far East POW. Real treasures that might have been so easily overlooked and thrown out.

[Clarets4me]

Over the last few years, we've dealt with my wife's Aunt's house, and also her Mum's when she downsized ...

On both occasions, local folk got to hear of the property sale, ( Rosegrove & Hapton ), and were bought locally by children of neighbours, one through private sale, which saved the Estate Agent's fees. Unwanted furniture, white goods might be collected by either British Heart Foundation ( 01282- 882789 ) or by the Open Door charity .... although both will want to check the fireproofing info printed on the furniture labels ..

http://www.furniturerecycling.org.uk/range.html

Try not to think of things like " How much my parents paid for this ? " and the like, just think how pleased they'd be, that you'd taken the trouble to try and help others less fortunate with their possessions !! I would echo some others on here, just check under beds and cushions for money, and sentimental items etc...

Finally, sorry to hear of your loss, I'm lucky to still have my parents, although Dad is not well at all. All best wishes !!

[nighty]

hi , weve just emptied in november my auntys house and to be fair we rang one of the local hospices charity shop and they were very good , they took virtually everything ,three men and a van !and it obviously went to a very good cause

[HB Claret]

So sorry to hear your news St Albans - think that your parents were good friends with mine - we left Colne in 1968 when I was only 6?so can’t remember too much. We had to move my dad into a retirement home last March as he has dementia - currently having to clear his house and contents to pay for the funding of the home. Thoughts are with you.

[Blackrod]

Very interesting thread and helpful responses. This is the kind of thing you really need to ask other people. A daunting and emotional prospect but something that has to be done. Good Luck.

[Stalbansclaret]

Thanks everyone for the responses so far. HB Claret..I am thinking your dad was called Ronnie ? If so I remember you, your brother and your mum and dad. Sorry to hear your dad has dementia as so did mine in his later years. We had a big regime of care going to keep him living at home and ultimately his death was a surprise (heart attack whilst out walking).

[Hipper]

If there's anything of value - real value - like furniture, jewellery etc., you could use an auction house.

Furniture generally is hard to dispose of because people mostly want pristine stuff. Things like beds and sofas are also difficult because hygiene and fire regs. are a consideration these days. You may simply have to break it up and take it down the recycling centre (or some Council's will collect large items for a fee).

Books, records etc. usually have specialist buyers but unless there is anything really valuable there may be little interest. Even charity shops don't seem to want to know.

Clothing is also not so easy to get money for.

However, I would guess that house clearance people look for something of value to cover the cost of the 'rubbish' and their profit, so if a one stop house clearance is easier for you, you may not make as much money but it will simplify the disposal. Auction houses cannot guarantee prices of course.

A lot of old people's houses tend to need updating and so you will possibly get builders wanting to buy the property. Be careful that the estate agent doesn't have some sort of deal with a builder so getting a lower price then you should. I think that's what happened when I sold my mother's house. The estate agent told me the value he thought he could get, and therefore the slightly higher price it would be marketed. Then, lo and behold, there were two offers, one at the suggested price for cash, the other at slightly less and with a mortgage. After selecting the cash buyer, a builder, the actual purchase dragged on for longer then it should, especially with no chain, until I forced the issue. I was OK with the price but wonder.....

[HB Claret]

Hi again - so your dad was Donald and your mum Iris ? The last time I took Ronnie to Colbe we called in and saw both your parents - I think your dad had just been out walking the dog and they lived on the main road behind Stanford Drive ? Sorry but can’t renrmber too much else but was your family home near the Kangroyd / reservoir ? Dementia is really a sad illness - my dad remembers us but has no capacity to hold a normal conversation - it is almost like a stranger living in his body. Thoughts are with you at this sad time.

[Stalbansclaret]

Yes ...that's right HB. The house is the one you visited...halfway to Laneshawbridge as you go out of Colne. When my brother and I were at home as kids we initially lived on Skipton Road in Colne and then on Langroyd Road. I remember going to your house and can see your mum and dad in my mind's eye. Very sorry to hear about Ronnie and I know exactly what you mean...my dad had also lost most conversational ability although he would always come to life on seeing an old friend (particularly if female !) and still enjoyed doing familiar things and spending time in peoples' company. He was an ST holder to the very end...in fact I'm about to write to the club returning his ST card. I've asked for a mention for him at the Fulham game which I understand is a game where recently deceased fans will be remembered.Thanks for you thoughts.