What should senior citizens know about selling their home?
John Thompson
Published Mar 02, 2026
Whether you’re downsizing, buying in a new community or moving in with family, it takes careful planning to get the most out of your equity. It is critical to find a real estate agent knowledgeable about the specialized needs of seniors.
Can a senior citizen still own their home?
However, for those seniors who have moved from their house to a nursing home, the ownership and residency is lowered to one out of five years. And if they still own the home, but are in a nursing facility, it still counts as ownership. Do I need a Power of Attorney to sell property belonging to my parents?
Do you pay capital gains tax when selling parents house?
The good thing is that there is not always a large capital gains tax when selling homes whether it is put up for sale by owner or if you choose to sell parents house for them. The capital gains tax when selling homes is contingent on certain factors.
What kind of taxes do seniors pay on real estate?
Seniors, like other property owners, pay capital gains tax on the sale of real estate. The gain is the difference between the “adjusted basis” and the sale price. The basis is the original purchase price; adjustments include losses from storm or earthquake damage and improvements added to the building.
Can you lose Medicaid if you sell your home?
Spending-down assets | Medicaid rules for selling a home | Countable assets | Buying a house on Medicaid | Intent to return Selling your house could disqualify you from receiving Medicaid if the profits from the sale bring your assets over your state’s Medicaid asset threshold.
Can you get Medicaid if you buy new house?
However, if your total countable assets stay below your state’s threshold, which is just $2,000 in most states, you can still qualify for Medicaid. Houses that are primary residences are considered to be exempt assets, so buying a new house might be an option.
Can a person living in a long term care facility buy a new house?
In that case, buying a new house is allowed if the house you purchase will be your primary residence, or if you have the “intent to return.” Individuals who are living in a long-term care facility aren’t able to live in a house as their primary residence and are unlikely to have a realistic “intent to return” due to health limitations.