A Deceased Persons House

[Skyedriver]

We know of a property that we think will suit us as a family and we assume, belongs to the family of their deceased parent.
How would you simpathetically approach, if at all, the owners in what is obviously a traumatic and upsetting time. We wouldn't wish to sound like circling vultures to people who we don't know.
Would you even think about contacting them or wait until the property came on the market officially, if at all?
The persons funeral was about 6 weeks ago.

[Carlton Banks]

Well.

As someone who is in this position - father recently died.

I would say just wait until up for sale.

We are currently debating about what to do with my parents place and there is a lot at stake here- not just money - but memories and I think its in bad taste to approach it.

Just my view.

[Silenoz]

Carlton Banks said:

Well.

As someone who is in this position - father recently died.

I would say just wait until up for sale.

We are currently debating about what to do with my parents place and there is a lot at stake here- not just money - but memories and I think its in bad taste to approach it.

Just my view.

This. I am in the process of buying a house which is a bereavement sale, and am being very mindful and respectful of the fact that the sellers have an emotional attachment to the house as it belonged to their parents.

[Du1point8]

I dont see a problem of a sympathetic note going through the door with a message of if you intend to sell the house, please contact X on this number as we would be interested.

You will find out if its insensitive, if it were me I would reply to the person doing that with an answer of:

Thanks for the note...

we have not yet decided on the course of action and will be in touch/we are not putting it on the market as we are going to rent/will be in touch in a few days once a valuation has been done.

That to me would be ok...

What I do object to (happened to old relative last year) is that when someone finds out that the owner is in a nursing home, they contact you and state that as X will never be returning to the house Y, we would like to put an offer in of Z.

That is 1) so rude its unbelieveable 2) the person in the nursing home still owns the home its hers 3) even if she did pop her cloggs, you would never ever be considered.

[Carlton Banks]

Correct. With the right approach it wouldn't be so bad I guesa.

Personally, not something I would do that's all.

[dazwalsh]

Lodge your interest with the local agents so that you get a heads up when the house is up for sale.

[DSLiverpool]

I would pop a note through it may save them a few £k in agents fees

[hornetrider]

If you write a note emphasise how much you'd like the house for your family. Don't want them thinking you're a developer/speculator.

[dave_s13]

If it were my place to sell I'd get a valuation, add on a typical ea fee, then add on another 5k.

Getting 1st dibs carries a premium i reckon.

Depends entirely on the house though obviously. They might want rid quick they might be sat on a gold mine.

[BertB]

DSLiverpool said:

I would pop a note through it may save them a few £k in agents fees

This. A polite note would certainly be the way forward.

We are currently selling a place for a relative that has died and wouldn't have minded saving the EA fees.

[lee_fr200]

I'd personally wait see what happens over next 4week

The grieving process could throw anger and upset straight at you which would also then taint and ruin your happiness,

If nothing happens over the next month or 2 then a polite note might help but I wouldn't push

[Skyedriver]

Thanks for all the advice, especially to Carlton Banks for their first hand view, my sympathies to you and your family.
Also to Hornet rider and Silenoz with some good words.
I think I'll hold back at least another month before doing a letter drop, not just to that house but to other suitable properties in the locality. That way we may find more than one option and will also slightly mask the fact that we know the house is empty. As we understand it, the old lady went into hospital some time before she died, so presumably the family expected the worst. It would still have been upsetting no doubt.
We're going to contact the local estate agents on Monday (our current property on Skye sells tomorrow) and ask them to note our names for anything in that locality and suggest that we know of one that may be coming up for sale. It's one long rural road and there's not too many places that would fit the bill for both size and likely price.
And yes we intend it to be our final move and a family home.
Thanks again

[Simpo Two]

I suppose you could drop a note to the local estate agents - to the effect that if it does come on the market they might contact you first - and the seller will be none the wiser, merely happy to have interest on day 1.

[dickymint]

I'd be paying a visit to the nearest pub (any excuse fr me) and asking a few questions to the locals. is

Edited to insert pub!

Edited by dickymint on Friday 31st March 13:03

[elanfan]

I don't see what's wrong with a note along the lines of:

Dear Sirs,

My apologies if my enquiry comes at an inappropriate time. My family and I are relocating from Skye and are seeking our 'forever home' (we are NOT developers or speculators). This property is lovely and if by any chance it is to be offered for sale we would appreciate you letting us know.

Sorry again for the nature of this approach but we really do like the house.

Name/ phone/ email

[Skyedriver]

elanfan said:

I don't see what's wrong with a note along the lines of:

Dear Sirs,

My apologies if my enquiry comes at an inappropriate time. My family and I are relocating from Skye and are seeking our 'forever home' (we are NOT developers or speculators). This property is lovely and if by any chance it is to be offered for sale we would appreciate you letting us know.

Sorry again for the nature of this approach but we really do like the house.

Name/ phone/ email

I like that, thanks. Only concern would be that we have only seen the place from the roadside - no idea what it's like elsewhere. Other than that, i'm going to use that wording if you don't mind.

Regards
T

[jas xjr]

leave a note. get yourself a cheap payg sim/phone. you have nothing to lose. it might seem a hard faced but if you really want the property...

[elanfan]

Skyedriver said:

I like that, thanks. Only concern would be that we have only seen the place from the roadside - no idea what it's like elsewhere. Other than that, i'm going to use that wording if you don't mind.

Regards
T

Be my guest!

If it's empty go and have a mooch around as long as you aren't doing anything dishonest. It might pay you to knock on neighbours and ask if they'd keep an eye on you having a quick look. The neighbours could be a mine of information - they might even be able to put you in touch with the next of kin directly.

My mum got her current bungalow following my putting a note through the doors of a few in the area she was interested. We got the house a bit cheaper the sellers didn't have to pay £4/5k in fees.

[Sheepshanks]

When my wife's Godfather died people were knocking on neighbours doors to find out who to talk to and within a couple of days we were getting people calling us.

[Hitch]

elanfan said:

I don't see what's wrong with a note along the lines of:

Dear Sirs,

My apologies if my enquiry comes at an inappropriate time. My family and I are relocating from Skye and are seeking our 'forever home' (we are NOT developers or speculators). This property is lovely and if by any chance it is to be offered for sale we would appreciate you letting us know.

Sorry again for the nature of this approach but we really do like the house.

Name/ phone/ email

A double apology note. How very British! Do you have to walk backwards whilst bowing once you've slid it through the door?!