Had a similar situation in my family a few years ago, a relative died and his 3 siblings were looking to sell the house, one was abroad and wanted the house sold and money from it asap, the other 2 were reluctant simply because it was the family home, they were still grieving and wanted to fix the place up and maybe rent it out or keep it, but the 3rd sibling refused, they wanted their money and that was that.. When the other 2 approached about buying it off them, they accused them of trying to get it on the cheap and wanted open market price and it done with..
So after many heated debates, they put it on the market, for a price that would sell and it did.. the 3rd sibling got their money and that was that.
6 months later, the property came back on the market, some basic work was done, cleaned up, painted, guttering replaced, double glazing windows put into it, new kitchen, new bathroom suite, not a lot spent but enough to polish it up a little and make it more presentable and it sold for well over double what they sold it for initially..
The 3rd sibling when they found out were kicking themselves and probably still are about how much they lost out on and what the possibilities were..
My advice, offer your brother a few options:
- Put it on the market at his price, if no movement after 3 months, it goes to your price and you handle the sale, all costs are covered from the sale, he gets his cut and thats it, he has no more say in it.
- You buy him out (Date for this must be set)
- He buys you out (again, date for this must be set)
- Let the courts decide and remind him of the costs involved in getting a solicitor, (added to if he's on the other side of the world). If he is as tight as you say, he wont want this.
Either way, you engage with him, either directly or through a solicitor. With each contact, give him a date, that if he doesn't reply by, you take an action.
Such as, I have been in contact with an estate agent regarding the sale and the house is going on the market for X amount. If I don't hear back from you with alternative price, I shall instruct the EA to do so on the X of X.
You don't necessarily have to do this, but the threat of you going ahead without his consent might get him to move on things as he isnt there personally to over see them.
By your own admission, he doesn't contact you unless its in his best interest to do so, there is no sentiment lost there and he doesn't treat you with any respect, so why should you do that to him.
Personally, dealing with someone like that, whether it be family or not, I'd keep it as brief and straight to the facts as possible, if he gets awkward, get a solicitor involved and go the legal route. Either way, it gets sorted, and he is pressed into action.
In the meantime, would it be possible to rent out the property on a short term basis to cover the costs and keep the house in a liveable condition as property left unoccupied can become damp and unkempt?
I.C