Buying or Selling a Home/selling house

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Question
Sir:  I would like to ask if when house is in both names - can the wife put house for sale.  This is due to wanting to scale down expenses as husband  has some dementia but is not so bad at this time.  Thank you

Answer
Hey, Dwana.

That's going to depend on the marriage laws for your specific state. Generally, though, it would require the signatures of both interested parties. That's so that one party couldn't sell the house from under the other party if, for example, there was a messy divorce involved. If one party is not capable of signing, a judge can order a Power of Attorney.

Many real estate attorneys will provide you with a free 30-minute consultation, and Realtors will talk with you almost until you've got laryngitis, so contact either of those and find out what your state allows. Make sure the Realtor you contact is very knowledgeable about such issues.

Good luck.

Buying or Selling a Home

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Russel Ray

Expertise

Through home inspections, I provide an education about real estate. I'm one of those rare home inspectors who has been involved in real estate in many different capacities: as a Realtor (in Texas), as a property investor/flipper, as a teacher, and as a marketing expert (for Realtors and home inspectors). I believe that my experience as a Realtor and property investor provides me with a different viewpoint about home inspections in that I work for my Clients, but when there are other people involved in helping my Clients, then I firmly believe in helping them, too. That includes Realtors (both the seller's and the buyer's), repair professionals (e.g., plumbers, electricians, etc.). If I can get all the players (seller, seller's Realtor, buyer, buyer's Realtor, and repair professionals) playing in the same sandbox together to accomplish goals as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More), then I believe I have succeeded in my job as a home inspector. My profession is, in my opinion, much more than simply documenting the condition of a property and then take the money and run. I am also a rare breed in that I don't believe that one inspection fits the needs of all Clients, and I have led the industry in understanding that fact. For example, the goals of a property investor are far different than the goals of someone buying a property to live in. The goals of a seller (a pre-listing inspection) are far different than the goals of a buyer (a pre-purchase inspection). To that end, I offer 14 different types of inspections, e.g., STANDARD, LIST, RENTER, BASIC, MAINTENANCE, SPOT, and more. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt to all professionals in whatever industry they represent until they prove me wrong.

Experience

Over 42 years in all aspects of real estate--building homes, renovating homes, inspecting homes, Realtor.

Organizations
National Association of Certified Home Inspector, Better Business Bureau of San Diego

Education/Credentials
Graduate of Texas A&M University; College Station, Texas

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