The Most Heartbreaking Mistake We See (and How to Avoid It)
I understand how it happens. You live three states away. The funeral is over, everyone has gone home, and you're exhausted. The house will need attention eventually, but not right now. So, to save a little money while you figure things out, you shut off the power and water and lock the door.
It feels responsible. Sadly, it's often the most expensive decision a family can make.
What happens when a house sits dark
A home without power and water stops being a home and starts being shelter for everything outside. Without air conditioning, Georgia heat and humidity move in, and mold follows. Without someone checking on it, mice, squirrels and insects find their way in. They chew through furniture, nest in linens and ruin boxes of photos and papers.
By the time families call in the professionals, we sometimes walk into a home where the furniture, the books and even the house itself have been badly damaged. Things that could have helped pay for the estate, or been treasured by the next generation, are simply gone.
What to do instead
Keep the power on so the air conditioning or heat can keep humidity and temperatures in check.
Keep the water on if the home is heated, and talk to a plumber about winterizing if it won't be.
Ask a neighbor, friend or local family member to check in every week or two.
Call someone early. Even if you aren't ready for a sale, a quick walkthrough can help you understand what's in the home and what needs protecting.
You don't have to be close by to take good care of it
We work with many families who live out of state. We can walk the home, share what we see and help you make a plan, all before you ever have to book a flight.
If you've inherited a home in Walton, Newton, Rockdale or Gwinnett County and you're not sure where to start, call us at 678.614.1869. Protecting the home today protects everything inside it.
