Help with the practical parts, and let your parent make the decision. When your parent is the buyer or the seller, I speak with your parent first, in Spanish, and make sure they understand each step and have room to say what they want. You can be part of every conversation. Your parent stays at the center of it.
Where adult children help most
- Technology. Many loan and real estate steps now use online documents, electronic signatures and uploads. You can help your parent find, download or send what is requested, and have it open while the lender or I explain it.
- Getting there. Rides to appointments and showings, and searching for homes online if your parent isn't comfortable with websites or apps. I can also meet at my office or online.
- A longtime home. If your parent is selling, help sorting belongings, deciding what to keep or give to family, planning a garage sale or auction, and getting the home ready for showings.
Who decides
I'm glad to explain something in English for you and then again in Spanish for your parent. If a meeting felt rushed, I follow up with your parent afterward so they have time to ask questions. Families often need time to talk it over, and I respect that. When it's time to decide, I go back to the person who is legally the buyer or seller.
An adult child does not automatically have legal authority to decide for a parent. If your family has questions about legal authority, such as a power of attorney, please ask an attorney.
Before selling: could your parent stay?
I am a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), and my first question is whether your parent could stay in the home with some extra support, such as help with the yard, meals or light housekeeping. If moving is the right choice, we look for a home that fits how your parent wants to live, which may mean fewer stairs or the main rooms on one level.
A sale can affect more than where your parent lives next. Before listing, I ask whether your parent has talked with a tax professional, a benefits specialist and an attorney, and whether to ask a qualified lender about any financial options. I don't give advice on those questions. We write them down so your parent can ask the right professional.
At your parent's pace
I have been a teacher throughout my life, and I enjoy breaking complex ideas into simple explanations. I slow down, repeat what is needed, and can send written notes by text or email to review later. A home can hold decades of memories. Listen, avoid pressure, and let your parent move at a pace that feels right. My goal is a decision your parent can feel at peace with.
Lisa Collio is a licensed real estate agent and is not a mortgage lender, loan officer, or broker. She does not originate loans, quote loan terms, or make lending decisions. For financing questions, speak directly with a licensed lender.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make real estate decisions for my parent?
Not automatically. If your parent is the buyer or seller, Lisa works with your parent directly, and an attorney can answer questions about legal authority, such as a power of attorney.
Can my parent work with Lisa completely in Spanish?
Yes. Indiana transaction documents are signed in English, and Lisa explains the steps and the paperwork to your parent in Spanish. She can explain in English for you, too.
What should my parent think about before selling a longtime home?
Whether they could stay with extra support, and what a tax professional, a benefits specialist and an attorney say about their situation. Lisa helps list the questions; she does not give that advice.
Lisa Collio
Real Estate Agent in Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)
Helping buyers and sellers navigate the Goshen and Elkhart real estate market
Call (574) 370-5410 · Send a text · lisacolliorealtor.com
Hablo español · Serving Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana
RE/MAX Results, The Viruez Team
