Need some advice on what to do with parents belongings

[bdog]

My dad passed away six years ago and I lost my mom a little over a week ago. I am an only child. They have a ~2500 Sq foot house with a lifetime of stuff in it and dad had a 30x40 shop full of tools and other things including an old truck he was restoring.

Where they lived is a small rural subdivision with about 20 houses on an acre each and is a really desirable area. Several neighbors have mentioned they want to buy the place if I decide to sell so they can move their family there.

I am in no rush other than the sooner I sell it the less have to have to maintain it, pay property taxes, etc.

Most of the stuff in the house other than some sentimental things I plan to just sell or donate. Dad痴 shop is another story. Mom had been telling me for the past six years to do whatever I want with everything out there but I just haven稚 been able to do it. Most the stuff out there I remember from my childhood when I would work on things with dad.

I have three shops at my house and 30 acres. I can稚 think of any tools or anything in his shop that I don稚 have on my own already. I also have a small business and have employees here at my place working in the shop. My shops are pretty much plum full and I wouldn稚 want any of his things in there getting messed with by my employees anyway.

So here is my dilemma. What do I do with this stuff? I am thinking about having a 30x40 shop built on my place and just moving all his stuff over to it. I don稚 know what I would ever do with it almost like it would be a shrine or something. This doesn稚 seem very logical but it is the first thought that comes to mind. Maybe at some point I might want to finish restoring that truck. A shipping container or two is another option but I I kind of like just looking at the things in the shop and am not sure I would want them just packed away never to be seen again. Cost really isn稚 a factor. I have the money to build whatever on my own plus their house was paid for and should sell for at least 300k. Anyone ever dealt with anything like this or have any advice?

 

[hosspuller]

My thoughts on your parent's passing. I'm headed there myself... what to do with all my tools. Doubt the kids will want them.

In six years you haven't done anything with the shop. It's an emotional attachment. But you knew that. If you want to build another shop for it go ahead. The logical thing is to inventory everything. anything that duplicates your current tool or is lesser... sell Keep and USE the rest. tools are meant to be used. Otherwise they just rust. I hate the thought of my tools rusting away. PS... Want a timing light and dwell meter ?? Haven't used them in 30 years and the car was 19 years old then. But I think of my first car when I look at them.

 

[Fi-Q]

Sometime, listening to your heart is the right thing to do. Even if building an extra shop to put everything in it doesn’t sound logical in a pure simple pratical way, it might be the best way for you to feel good about it. There is these things in life that just don’t have a price.

 

[bunyip]

We went down that track a few years ago, father emarried and disposed of a lot of the stuff we would have liked (brother and I) but the wicked stepmother threw it all out, she died about 8 years ago and had heaps of old crap, when dad went he hoarded it and we took the good stuff and tried to sell the rest, even the charities wouldn't take it unless it was top quality and unmarked, we paid a bomb to have the good stuff shipped home and put the rest in a skip.
When we tried to sell the good stuff no one wanted it and we wound up giving it away except for a couple of pieces we kept, worked out being a vcery expensive couple of pieces of furniture.
As for tools, if you can't sell them and you don't want them conssider a mens shed, I don't know if you have them but here they are a local collective of retired men who need something to do to save them from their wives, they learn from each other and treasure such fine tools and do look after them, I have given them a few things and my skills in woodworking and turning, in return they have improved my welding skills and dirty joke repertoire.

 

[Sigarms]

The only thing I've read that you might want is to restore the truck that your father was working on someday.

Build a shop for the truck to restore, bring in some key tools of your fathers that you know you want to keep to actually use in that new shop, and either donate or sell the rest of the tools.

Sounds like you're a self sufficient man who has what he needs, and I don't think your father would mind his tools going to someone who can actually use or need them.

I would sell the house ASAP just so you don't have to deal with it as mentioned per taxes and up keep. If you keep putting it off, it just might be kept getting pushed back. When I moved my father in to live with us from a couple states away, we both agreed to sell his house ASAP, sold within a couple of months after putting some money into things that had to be done to sell it, and my dad and I are glad we did it that way.

 

[PEJ5]

Sorry for your loss. This time is never easy. You have not dealt with the shop for 6 years so it is understandably very difficult for you.
Do not build another shop and move it. I recommend that you find a young man/woman or two or three that you know who would benefit from the tools. Maybe a relative who appreciated your Dad or Mom. Give the tools away knowing they will be loved and used and continue the memory of your parents. Same goes for household items.
I remember my uncle when I use his tools. I was very honoured to be gifted these items.

 

[dodge man]

It’s a tough thing to say but do yourself a favor and get rid of most of it. Give it away, have an auction, sell it etc. Save the sentimental stuff and get rid of the rest. If you don’t you will put up a building and fill it with all that stuff that to me sounds like you don’t need. It might break your heart to do that but in the long run you will be happier

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I have been widowed twice. And both my parents are gone. I was executor of my Dad’s estate.

I would Get rid of the stuff as soon as you can. As was suggested take stock of the tools and if there is anything that is an upgrade or has particular value to you, keep it. I wouldn’t build another shop for the stuff. Thats just a mausoleum.
As for the truck, if you want it, find someone to restore it. Pay the premium to get that done right now and drive it. You will remember your dad and have a great conversation piece that others can relate to.
For selling the house, find out the market value and sell it for that. Neighbors often want a sweetheart deal. Your father left that asset to you, not to them. Get the most out of it. Having a realtor do it will cost you a commission but will probably save headache.

And I’m sorry about the loss of your mom.
Good luck.

 

[sandman2234]

As I go thru the day, and use tools, trucks, or whatever...I am reminded of where they came from. I often smile when I reach over start my truck, or a set of impact sockets that my Dad gave me, or use the pedestal grinder that my oldest Sister gave! I have multiple sets of tools, two mine, one from a friends Dad and my brother's. When my Dad passes away, I wouldn't hesitate to add his to my hoard if they become available. (doubtful). I guess I am one of the few that thinks maybe another shop built and everything moved into it. You could bring that truck in and one day you might even finish restoring it, using the tools your Dad owned. I wouldn't hesitate to do that, so I could go out and be with Dad when I had a rough day or maybe just as a pick me up. There will be days when you will wish you had them, and days you will think you should have gotten rid of all that stuff, but you can't have it both ways and having a shop built for the truck isn't a bad idea, and using his tools just makes it sweet.
David from jax

 

[ovrszd]

I couldn't sell any of my Dad's tools or truck. If I didn't want to have duplicates I'd sell mine and keep his. I had a lot of my Dad's tools and my deceased Son's tools in my shop when it burned ten years ago. I still miss those things today.

My display of this heritage and respect of these items has been passed on to my Sons. They too value these things. I think it's a positive addition to our character.