When you're on Social Security Disability, it can seem difficult to do normal, every day tasks. Taking on a large, stressful task like selling your home can be physically difficult and may require additional help. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take not only to sell your home without hurting yourself, but to ensure you get the best price possible. If you have good friends and family nearby, you may be able to draw upon them and avoid hiring additional professional help, but you should expect to hire some outside labor for some of the more specialized parts of the home-selling process.
Step 1
Discuss the sale of your home with your benefits counselor before you make any permanent moves toward selling. Selling your home shouldn't interfere with your benefits, which are based on earned income and disability, but you should notify your counselor so he is aware of the situation and can help you plan how best to use your benefits during the sale. There is also a cap on the assets you can have if you're receiving SSDI, so be sure to discuss that cap and the resulting money you will receive from the sale with your benefits counselor, too.
Step 2
Ask friends or hire local people to assist you in fixing up the house. Homes sell better when they're clean and well-repaired and, if you're on Social Security Disability, you may have a difficult time performing those repairs on your own. .
Step 3
Hire a moving company to remove clutter from your home and to a different location or storage unit. Clutter-free homes with minimal possessions are more attractive to prospective buyers. A good moving company can even help you pack the items if you're having trouble doing it on your own.
Step 4
Hire an appraiser if you aren't sure what your home is worth. An appraiser will examine your house and give you an idea of what price you should be expecting.
Step 5
Have your home inspected and make the inspection report available to prospective buyers. The report can instill confidence in them, especially if they think that you haven't been able to maintain the home while on Social Security Disability.
Step 6
Put a sign in your front yard--if you can, depending on your homeowner's association--advertising that your home is for sale. If you aren't in a rush, wait a month and see if you have any offers that match what you hope to gain.
Step 7
Hire a realtor if you're having trouble generating interest in the house. A realtor should be able to sell your home without you having to be overly physically active, which is important when you are unable to work.