AIBU to think DH needs to step back from being so involved in the selling family home?

Maybe he needs to reframe it in his mind... not that he is losing his childhood home and family history, but that its going on to be lived in and loved for a whole new family who will make their own memories in it. Theres nothing sadder than an empty house. And then consider what he could do with the money - improve your present home? Travel? Pay for your childrens education?? He needs to get over this ridiculous mental block. he sounds like a male Hyacinth Bucket! I think it would do him the world of good for you and the siblings to stop being so patient and nice and understanding and let him know that he's really being very silly and making himslef a bit of an object of disbelief and scorn.

This is insane behaviour! Is he like this in any other area of life?

He needs to watch out because the longer it's on the market, buyers might be put off and think there's something wrong with it. Also the longer it's empty there's the chance of something expensive going wrong for which it sounds like he will be solely on the hook.

YANBU to step back entirely. Grey rock, don't ask about it, if he tries to talk to you about it just say "mmm" or "gosh" or "sounds tough" or whatever.

He’s not going to sell it.

if the brothers don’t care then ignore it.

He does realise that even if you moved into that house, you'd want to make changes to the house so that it didn't look like his old house, doesn't he? Anyone who moves into an old house will probably tear out the bathroom and kitchen for starters.

I’d be furious if I was his siblings. He is being very selfish.

Well, he gets the prize for being the strangest partner anyone's had on here!

I think you only have a years grace of actively marketing a second property for sale before it then attracts the 100% premium council tax, ie you have to pay a double council tax on a second home. So it could start getting very expensive for your family!

I think you have to accept he doesn't want to sell it at the moment and he needs to stop wasting everyone's time and admit that.

I think you might prepare for the possibility that he moves back into it alone and lives out his days with his great love crumbling around him, this really is very extreme behaviour OP.

I also don't think it's a coincidence that it was left solely to him, his father clearly knew him, and that he would be a safe pair of hands. What a double edged sword that was.

You said he has decided to split it though so if he doesn't sell he has to go back on that!

He’s being ridiculous. Is he the executor or is it jointly with siblings?
If I was the brothers I’d be seriously pissed off and I’m also surprised the estate agents don’t have something in the contract they could pursue.

YANBU. He clearly loved his parents and no one can ever be a good enough buyer, because they won't be a younger version of parents. It must be a special place to have so many offers in this market. Is there a way to say a final farewell to the house and then leave the agents to it?

Im surprised he can get away with it. I would have expected a penalty clause in the estate agent contract if he gets a genuine full price offer and then refuses to accept it.

He doesn't want it sold.

Agree with the poster on grief counselling. But interesting it was left to him with the history of staying in family.

Definitely counselling and hope you don't get squatters

I've known a similar situation, the siblings said it was fine as they didn't want to upset their sibling who was clearly grieving and finding it difficult...it dragged on for years and they eventually all got less for the house than they would have done arket changes, lack of maintenance etc, people get twitchy when it hasn't sold for a while).

I'd tell him kindly that whilst you understand, his siblings patience will run out and the estate agents patience will eventually run out and then he may get to a situation where he has no choice at all. Not selling a house to someone with the wrong shoes is mental. There are a lot of people involved with this and he needs to be honest if he needs more time or isn't going to sell

It’s clear he can’t bare the thought of letting it go. Because let’s face it - once it’s sold the kids inside can behave as their parents allow, people can wear shoes as they like and even what shoes they like!

So he either needs to decide to take it off the market and buy his brothers out, you move into it and sell yours and give neither their share or get some counselling to allow him to get past selling it.

Agreed, post doesn't state that's a blocker, just the location. It's really the only other option other than selling it.

My goodness he's suffering. Absolute lunacy behaviour but that's telling you something. He's got to get help. -(from GP not estate agents)

We had to tell my Sister that she responsible for the Council tax and utilities. We would have to put the heating on over winter etc. Empty houses don't necessarily increase in value, unless they are being cleaned/aired/looked after etc. Every year, it all dates a bit more. Who is doing the garden? His Brothers can legally remove him as executor. It sounds as though he needs counselling. It's closing the door on that chapter of his childhood history and that of his parents. This isn't about the house.

He doesn’t want to sell. It would be better to face that.

Can it be rented out?