You're here because someone you love needs help with one of the biggest transitions of their life. Whether Mom can't keep up with the house, Dad is moving to assisted living, or you're managing this from out of state — you don't have to figure it out alone.
📈 Spring 2026: Now is the ideal time to sell your parents' home. Buyer activity is up 13% and homes are moving fast.
It's about the kitchen where holiday meals were made. The doorframe where heights were marked. The garden your parent tended for decades. Helping a parent sell their home means holding space for grief, memories, and change — while also navigating a complex real estate transaction.
As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), I've walked this path with many families across Des Moines. I understand that the timeline isn't just about market conditions — it's about your parent's readiness, your family's dynamics, and doing this in a way that preserves dignity and peace of mind.
Many families wait until a crisis forces the decision. Recognizing these signs early gives everyone more time and better options.
Overgrown yard, deferred repairs, or a home that no longer feels safe or well-maintained. These can also become insurance risks that affect the home's value.
Falls, trouble with stairs, difficulty managing medications, or forgetting to turn off the stove. The home itself may be contributing to risk.
Property taxes, utilities, and maintenance on a large home may be consuming resources that could go toward care or a more comfortable living situation.
Friends have moved or passed, the neighborhood has changed, or your parent can no longer drive. Loneliness can accelerate health decline.
A diagnosis, hospital stay, or gradual decline that means your parent needs more support than the current home allows.
You or other family members are stretched thin trying to maintain the home, coordinate care, and manage your own responsibilities.
This is one of the hardest conversations you'll have. Here are some approaches that families tell me have helped.
Not sure where to start? I offer free family consultations where I can answer questions, walk through options, and help your parent feel heard — not pressured. Sometimes having a knowledgeable outsider in the room makes all the difference. Schedule a conversation →
Every family's situation is different. Here's a general roadmap of how I guide families through this transition.
We sit down together — in person, by phone, or video — to understand your parent's situation, wishes, and timeline. I listen first. No sales pitch, no pressure.
I evaluate the home's condition and current market value, including any insurance or structural risks my background helps me spot. You'll know exactly what the home is worth and what, if anything, should be addressed before listing.
Get a home value estimate →Where is your parent moving? Do we need to time the sale with a move-in date? I work with trusted senior living placement specialists to help find the right community.
Explore senior housing options →This is often the hardest part. I connect you with trusted estate sale companies, senior move managers, and donation services in Des Moines. We create a realistic schedule that respects your parent's pace.
Read the decluttering guide →Strategic pricing, professional photography, and targeted marketing to the right buyers. I handle showings with minimal disruption, and negotiate fiercely on your family's behalf.
I manage the entire closing process and coordinate final details so your family can focus on what matters — settling your parent into their new home and starting this next chapter with peace of mind.
Selling a parent's home isn't always straightforward. Depending on your parent's health and cognitive status, there may be legal steps required before a sale can proceed. I'm not an attorney, but I work closely with trusted estate planning attorneys in Des Moines and can connect you with the right professionals.
The most important thing is to get these documents in place before they're urgently needed. If your parent is still able to participate in legal decisions, now is the time to act.
A durable POA for finances gives you legal authority to handle real estate transactions on your parent's behalf. In Iowa, this must be executed while the person still has legal capacity.
If your parent has already lost capacity and no POA exists, you may need to petition the court for guardianship (personal decisions) or conservatorship (financial decisions).
Wills, trusts, and beneficiary designations all affect what happens to the home. If these aren't in order, an elder law attorney can help get things organized.
Iowa seniors 65+ may qualify for property tax exemptions. The sale may also have capital gains considerations. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
One of the most emotionally charged parts of selling a parent's home. Here are the options I help families navigate.
Professional estate sale companies price, display, and sell items on-site over 2-3 days. They handle everything.
Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, church organizations, and others offer pickup. Tax-deductible receipts available.
Antiques, art, jewelry, and collectibles may be worth consigning for higher returns than an estate sale.
After the meaningful items are handled, professional services clear everything remaining quickly and responsibly.
I maintain a list of trusted estate sale companies, move managers, and cleanout services in the Des Moines metro.
Decluttering Guide →A standard real estate agent can sell a house. But selling a parent's home requires someone who understands the emotional weight, the family dynamics, and the unique challenges seniors and their families face. That's what the SRES® designation is about — and it's why I chose this specialty.
10+ years in property insurance means I catch foundation issues, roof concerns, and insurability problems before they derail your sale.
We move at your parent's pace. No aggressive timelines, no pressure tactics. This transition deserves time and respect.
I work with multiple family members, keep everyone informed, and help navigate disagreements with empathy.
I can connect you with senior living placement specialists who help find the right community for your needs.
Many adult children helping parents sell a Des Moines home live elsewhere. I specialize in being your boots-on-the-ground partner.
Live and recorded video tours so you can see the home's condition, progress on prep work, and what buyers will see.
E-signatures, digital disclosures, and virtual meetings. You can manage the entire sale without a plane ticket.
I manage repairs, cleanouts, staging, and preparation on your behalf with my network of trusted Des Moines vendors.
Rather than convincing, focus on listening. Start conversations around safety, comfort, and quality of life — not the house itself. Many seniors are already thinking about it but don't know how to bring it up. A neutral third party like an SRES® specialist can help facilitate the conversation with patience and respect for your parent's autonomy. I'm happy to join that conversation when you're ready.
If your parent has been diagnosed with dementia, you'll typically need legal authority through a Power of Attorney (POA) or court-appointed guardianship/conservatorship to sell their property. It's critical to have these legal documents in place while your parent can still participate in the process. I work with trusted estate planning attorneys in Des Moines who specialize in these situations.
The timeline varies based on the home's condition and how much preparation is needed. A well-maintained home in the Des Moines metro can sell in 30-60 days on market. However, the full process — including decluttering, repairs, staging, and closing — typically takes 3-6 months from the initial decision to keys handed over. I create a customized timeline for each family so nothing feels rushed.
This is often the most overwhelming part. Start 2-3 months before listing if possible. Options include estate sale companies to sell valuables, donation pickup services for furniture, consignment shops for antiques, and junk removal for the rest. I connect families with trusted professionals in Des Moines who handle this with care. Read my full decluttering guide for a step-by-step approach.
If your parent is able to sign documents and make decisions, they can sell the home themselves with your support. If they're unable to participate due to cognitive decline or health issues, you'll need a valid POA that specifically grants authority over real estate transactions, or a court-appointed conservatorship. Iowa law requires the POA to be executed while the person still has legal capacity.
Many adult children I work with live outside Iowa. I provide video walkthroughs, digital document signing, and manage contractors, cleanouts, and showings on your behalf. With my insurance background, I also identify property risks that could delay the sale so you're not flying back for surprises. Learn more about remote coordination.
It depends on your family's finances and your parent's comfort. Selling first gives you budget certainty for senior living, but creates time pressure. Moving first lets your parent settle in while the home is prepared and sold without disruption, but requires bridge financing. I help families evaluate both options and coordinate timing with senior living placement through my partnership with senior living placement specialists.
No pressure, no obligation. Just an honest conversation about your family's situation and what options look like. I'll listen first, answer your questions, and help you figure out the right next step — even if that step is simply "not yet."
Sarah Ingles, REALTOR® SRES® · Smart Move Des Moines · Brokered by Fathom Realty