Selling Your Home to Pay for Care: What to Consider

For many people, long-term care can be costly, and when savings and pensions fall short, the question arises: do you have to sell your house to pay for care? 

The answer isn’t always simple, but it’s a situation many families face. In this guide, we’ll explain why selling a home might be necessary, what financial factors to consider, and how to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible.

Why people sell their home to pay for care

Selling a home to fund care costs isn’t uncommon. In fact, it’s one of the most practical ways to release funds for later-life support. Residential care fees range from £1,076 a week in the North East to £1,710 a week in London, making property one of the most significant sources of funding available. Whether it’s moving into a care home or accessing funds to support health and wellbeing, your property can be a valuable financial resource.

Timing considerations for the sale

If care needs arise suddenly, time is of the essence. Selling sooner can help avoid dipping into savings or delaying care. If you’re planning ahead, selling before care is needed can provide more financial flexibility.

It’s a practical decision, not a failure

This is an emotionally charged decision, but it’s important to remember that selling a home to pay for care isn’t giving up - it’s planning ahead to ensure dignity and quality of life.

Downsizing to access funds

Some people sell and move to a smaller property to free up equity for care. This can help strike a balance between staying independent and meeting care needs.

Understanding the financial implications

Selling your house impacts more than just your immediate finances. Here are some important costs and considerations to be aware of:

• Mortgage settlement – if there’s still a mortgage on the property, this will need to be paid off first

• Estate agent and solicitor fees – typical costs associated with any home sale

• Capital gains tax (CGT) – not usually applicable on your main residence, but may apply in some cases. Learn more about capital gains tax.

• Impact on inheritance – selling a home reduces the value of your estate, which may affect what you leave behind

• Care cost assessments – your home may be included in financial assessments if you move into residential care

Practical steps to selling your property

If you're planning to sell a home to fund care, the key is to stay organised and reduce stress wherever possible. Here's how:

Getting an accurate property valuation

Start by understanding the market value of your home. This will inform your budgeting and decision-making from the outset. Book your house valuation - a quick and helpful first step.

Preparing your home for sale

Tidy, declutter, and make small repairs. You don’t need to renovate, just present the home well to potential buyers. Not sure what’s worth fixing? Our guide on what not to fix when selling a house can help you focus on the changes that really matter. These expert tips on how to sell your house may help.

Listing and marketing effectively

Work with an estate agent who understands your timeline. Online listings, professional photos, and flexible viewings can help generate interest quickly.

Understanding typical sale timelines

If you’re selling to fund care, timing can be everything. Here’s a rough guide to how long each stage might take:

• Getting your home ready: 1–2 weeks for decluttering, minor fixes, and photography

• Listing to offer accepted: Around 9 weeks on average (may be quicker in high-demand areas)

• From offer to completion: Typically another 8–12 weeks, depending on the chain and conveyancing process

• Total time from listing to completion: Often 18–25 weeks, though faster sales are possible with the right support

Pro tip: If you’re working to a care-related deadline, let your estate agent know upfront so they can adapt your sale strategy.

Coordinating with family members

Keep loved ones informed, especially if the sale affects inheritance or shared ownership. Open communication makes a difficult time much easier to navigate.

How Purplebricks can help you

Selling a home to pay for care is fundamentally about the people you care about. That’s why Purplebricks offers human support, giving you clear guidance at every step.

From realistic pricing to expert advice, our team can help make this transition smoother and more manageable.

Sell your house quickly or contact Purplebricks to get the advice and support you need.