Asked on Mar 12, 2017

Question about putting my condo on the market...

Karen Lee
by Karen Lee
I am putting my 1979 condo on the market in April. I have a realtor and are currently making small upgrades he recommended. Currently a relative lived there rent free. He doesn't deal well with change and l am trying to figure out if it's best to move him & his pet out of condo while the upgrades are done this month & while the condo is on market. Hopefully the condo with sell fast but if l move him now l will have the cost of my current apartment, the condo & his new apartment. I am responsible for his living costs & live on a fixed income. My question is should l relocate him this month, March, which means condo will be vacant and try to financially juggle 3 payments a month until the condo sells which makes me very nervous. The relative doesn't take care of condo which is the reason I have this situation. I live across country so my daughter is supervising the on site updates and future showings. My realtor pointed out that I can wait & relocate relative & pet after sale but my daughter wants to relocate relative & pet now so the condo will remain fresh & clean plus she won't have to pick up relative & dog for every showing. I appreciate any suggestions and want to thank everyone in advance. Kind Regards
  9 answers
  • William William on Mar 12, 2017

    This is a conundrum. If the upgrades are not major let the relative stay until the condo gets sold. Never know how long it may take. I can understand your daughters concern. If she wants to move the relative and you agree, she should help out in the care of the relative. She should know your situation and how much of a burden this is on you. Not knowing what you relatives situation is, have you tried to get assistance from Social Services? Good Luck.

    • Karen Lee Karen Lee on Mar 12, 2017

      I really appreciate your input. Fortunately the upgrades are not major. My daughter is fully aware of the situation and has been trying to lighten the burden. However, she's in the process of moving into a new home at the same time juggling assisting me. She has a family and renovating future new home so moving my relative and preparing my condo is around the same time period and relocating the current relative and dog will fit her schedule. I have checked with an attorney about getting assistance as well as Social Security and unfortunately have been declined. Thank you for wishing me good luck. Kind Regards

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Mar 12, 2017

    I say let your conscience be your guide... As hard as it seems personally I do not think anyone should comment or criticize. GOOD LUCK

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Mar 12, 2017

    You have a complex dilemna. You do not mention if you have really fully discussed with the relative/occupant all the complexity of this and the burdens it is causing. They may be happy not to be engaged, likely are avoiding the discussions and taking charge of changes they utimatey will have to make, but maybe they should be fully informed and made to take charge of their part in this. Can they change their living habits for a while? Are they willing to be involved in their new temporary or long term living arrangements? It seems it is the re-structuring of their life of which they must take some responsibiltiy is where your solution lies. If they can have and take care of their pets, they can take some responsibility for themselves and your home as well. It may take some tough lovin'. As far as showings, make arrangements with realtor to limit them to specfic times and days or they also take some fo the burden of cleaning up beforehand. Good luck.

  • Karen Lee Karen Lee on Mar 12, 2017

    I really appreciate your recommendation and thank you for wishing me luck. It's such a hard decision with so many dynamics and l have so little time.

    Kind Regards

  • Hillela G. Hillela G. on Mar 13, 2017

    I think i sounds like you're taking everyone into consideration, maybe you can ease the relative out by giving them some notice, maybe not as long as you would like but enough time for them to not bestuck. Best of luck

  • Stephanie Stephanie on Mar 13, 2017

    Hi Karen, whew, you have a lot going on! Is there a reason you have to put your condo on the market in April? Can you wait another month or two? This would free up your daughter a bit more as her new home would be finished and would give you more time to find your relative a new place and he will have more time to understand / accept hat he will be moving to a new place. Perhaps you've already thought of this and you can't delay the timing. You can call your mortgage company and explain the situation and see if they will take interest only payments until you sell and then the loan would be pain in full very shortly. It's amazing how helpful any lender can be if you are upfront and honest about your situation. They would rather take some money than no money! Not that you want to do that, but living on a fixed income is not easy. As for your relative being there for showings, that is not a problem. When my husband and I moved to Florida we rented and after a year and a half it was put on the market. I'm disabled and it was never a problem with me being there when it was being shown. Most people only stay ten minutes so he could sit quietly on the couch. Your agent would just come a little earlier, spray a little Fabreeze and throw a dish towel over the sink if there are any dishes or toss them in the dishwasher. Real estate agents make good money for doing very little, especially on a condo. If he has to tidy up a bit it shouldn't be a big deal, he knows your situation. Sorry, I guess I rambled on a bit. I wish you the very best and I will pray your condo sells quickly. Also, don't take less than what it's worth just because you want it over quickly. I did that on my first house. I didn't do my due diligence and ended up screwing myself out of 35-40k. It was back in 2001 when the market was on the up and I didn't know. I trusted my agent, they're the experts, right?? Ha! Though my realtor was at fault, but 40k to them is only $600 at most in their pocket. After they split the 5% with the buyers realtor and then half goes to their realty Co., that's what 40k amounts to to them. That's why a lot of Realtors don't do more than absolutely necessary. Not all Realtors are slackers. There are many great ones out there. Just make sure you do yourhomework.

  • Kcama Kcama on Mar 17, 2017

    Quite a dilemma, just be aware that it might take longer to sell/realize less profit with someone who is not fastidious living there while you're trying to sell it. When a realtor gets a chance to "stage" a home, it's likely to sell faster and for more.

  • DB DB on Mar 17, 2017

    I so feel for you!! I think I'd let your relative stay through the renovations as long as that is not too upsetting ( folks coming & going etc). But I can tell you from multiple experiences home/condo sales happen more quickly when the place is empty,clean and the realtors have full access. If your relative had probs with upkeep before cleaning up before every realtor visit will certainly be a problem, and really minor things can turn off a potential buyer. Line up your realtor now, tell him/her your plan and maybe they will have advice to help you based on your area and market. Best of Luck!!

  • Karen Lee Karen Lee on Apr 19, 2017

    I really appreciate your recommendations. Thank You! Kind Regards 👱‍♀️