The House, Remarriage, and Long-Term Decisions
What if the house needs repairs I can't afford?
Short answer
Options: a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have equity, a reverse mortgage if you are 62 or older, a sale-leaseback arrangement, or selling as-is to a cash buyer at a lower price. Be cautious about contractor solicitations that appear…
What this usually means
Options: a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have equity, a reverse mortgage if you are 62 or older, a sale-leaseback arrangement, or selling as-is to a cash buyer at a lower price. Be cautious about contractor solicitations that appear after an obituary — predatory contractors target surviving spouses specifically.
What to do next
- Start the PathAfter checklist for situation-aware first steps.
- Find California county phone numbers for coroner, vital records, and local offices.
- Open the First 72 Hours Call Log before making calls.
- Open the Documents to Find Checklist when you are ready for paperwork.