What To Do With Your Aging Parents’ Home: A Holiday Guide for Families in Michigan

Jerry Buys Houses • December 11, 2025

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What To Do With Your Aging Parents’ Home: A Holiday Guide for Families in Michigan

As families come together during the holidays, many begin noticing changes in their aging parents’ ability to manage their home. Maybe the house is becoming unsafe. Maybe clutter is piling up. Maybe they can no longer handle repairs, maintenance, or living alone.

This guide explains what to do with your parents’ home as they age, how to prepare for a transition, what to consider before selling, and why selling as-is is often the simplest solution for Michigan families.


(Solutions provided by Jerry Buys Houses, a trusted local home buyer in Metro Detroit.)

What Should You Do With Your Aging Parents’ Home?

Short answer: Evaluate safety, plan for their future housing, decide what to do with their belongings, and determine whether to sell the home as-is or make repairs.



Here is a breakdown of the most important steps.

1. Check for Safety Issues in the Home

One of the first signs that it may be time to make a change is when the home is no longer safe for your parents.


Safety issues to look for:

  • Cluttered walkways or blocked exits
  • Loose rugs or tripping hazards
  • Poor lighting
  • Difficulty using stairs
  • Outdated or unsafe bathrooms
  • Mobility challenges inside the home


If the home can’t be made safe without major renovations, it may be time to consider alternative living options.

 


2. If Your Parents Are Moving In With Family or Into Assisted Living

The next challenge usually becomes:


What do we do with all of their things?

Many aging parents have spent decades collecting belongings. In some cases, they may even struggle with hoarding, which makes cleaning the home overwhelming for families.


Options for handling belongings:

  • Donate to charities (many offer free pickup)
  • Use an estate sale company to organize, price, and sell items
  • Hire a cleanout crew for large or hoarding-level volumes
  • Sell the home with everything in it


Yes, some home buyers will purchase the home exactly as it sits, even full of belongings.  Jerry Buys Houses is one of them.  This option is ideal if the family needs to move quickly, lives out of state, or cannot manage a massive cleanout.

 


3. Should You Repair the Home Before Selling … or Sell As-Is?

Many families assume they must repair or update the home before selling.


But the best choice depends on the family’s time, budget, and emotional bandwidth.

If you plan to list the home traditionally, you will need:

  • Repairs and updates
  • Cleaning and junk removal
  • Painting and staging
  • Showings and open houses
  • Time and money upfront


But you can skip all of that and sell as-is.

Selling the home as-is offers several benefits:

  • No repairs
  • No cleaning
  • No moving items
  • No realtor commissions
  • No showings
  • Cash buyer + fast closing


Jerry Buys Houses buys homes as-is in Metro Detroit, including homes needing major repairs or full cleanouts.

 


4. Gather All Important Documents Now (Before a Transition Happens)

One of the most overlooked steps in helping aging parents is organizing their paperwork.


Having documents ready makes the sale of the home, and any legal or medical decisions much easier.

Important documents to collect and store in one place:

  • Marriage license
  • Death certificates (if applicable)
  • Divorce decrees
  • Power of attorney documents
  • Medical directives
  • Estate plan
  • Last will and testament
  • Trust documents
  • Financial and investment statements
  • Insurance policies
  • Mortgage paperwork and deed

This is critical for estate planning, assisted living applications, and selling the property.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the easiest way to sell my aging parents’ home?

Selling the home as-is to a reputable local cash buyer is the fastest and least stressful option, especially if repairs or cleanouts are needed.


Can I sell a hoarder home without cleaning it out?

Yes. Companies like Jerry Buys Houses buy homes with belongings left inside, even in severe hoarding conditions.


Do I need to repair the house before selling?

Only if you choose to list it with a realtor. Selling as-is allows you to skip repairs entirely.


What if I live out of state and need to handle my parents’ home?

A cash buyer can handle the process remotely, including cleanout, closing documents, and title work.


Is selling as-is a good option for estate homes?

Yes. Estate executors often choose this option to avoid repairs, delays, and complex family involvement.

Why Michigan Families Choose Jerry Buys Houses

Families reach out to Jerry Buys Houses because we offer:

  • Fair cash offers
  • Fast closings
  • No repairs, no showings, no commissions
  • Ability to buy homes with belongings left inside
  • Local Metro Detroit expertise
  • Compassionate help during difficult transitions


Whether your parents are moving in with family, transitioning into assisted living, or you are settling an estate, we make the home-selling process simple and stress-free.

Need Help With Your Parents’ Home? Jerry Buys Houses Is Here.

If you're unsure where to start, or if you are simply overwhelmed, our team can walk you through your options.


We provide zero-pressure consultations and fair cash offers for homes across Metro Detroit.


Contact Jerry Buys Houses today for help navigating your parents’ next chapter.


Your family focuses on care.
 We’ll handle the home.

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