For more information about the author, click to view their website: Jude Creamer / HomeSmart
Your Mom loved living in Sarasota. She was active and had many lovely friends with whom she played bridge, golfed, and enjoyed cocktail hour. That made your heart sing knowing she was joyful and taken care of even though you were only able to travel from “up north” to visit her a couple of times a year.
But then this unexpected life event happened. She graduated rehab with flying colors and has been comfortably situated in an Assisted Living Community. It all happened so fast. Just last month she hit 3 over par and enjoyed a gin and tonic to celebrate!
Now comes the hard part. The doc says she won’t be able to live on her own again, and it doesn’t make sense to retain the house she once lived in. You can’t ask Mildred or Marge, her best golfing buds, to do what comes next. It’s up to you and your siblings, and where do you begin?
Below are eight tips to help you handle your mom’s personal possessions and real estate from a long-distance perspective now that she is comfortable in her new Sarasota Assisted Living Community.
Plan Your Work, Work Your Plan
Spend some time thinking about what’s next. What needs to be done, and who will be handling it. The worst thing you can do is jump into the “action” phase without seeing the entire big picture. Some things to consider up front:
Choose To Work With A Local And Experienced Partner
Tackling the project of cleaning out a home and readying it for market is a daunting task. Overseeing the project from 800 miles north of Sarasota is a complete game-changer. Being an out-of-state personal representative or designated beloved family member is no easy task.
There is a variety of wonderful senior services in Sarasota, and you can call on them for help. Just to start, you’ll need cleaners, movers (& boxes), painters (& possibly other contractors), packers, shippers, donation charities, a dumpster rental, a Realtor, and a stager. This is on top of coordinating with doctors, the assisted living facility, insurance adjusters, Medicare, or Medicaid, and …
OR: You might choose a local project manager who will serve as your liaison to coordinate the on-site logistics of removing the personal belongings, prepping, and selling the real property for top dollar. This is my specialty, and I would first meet with you at the house, discuss the objectives and goals, give you time to remove your personal mementos, and then you’d hand over the key. From there we’d agree on a master game plan, and I’d follow it to a “T” with good communications along the way. You head back north to your other responsibilities, and I’ll get your job done here in Sarasota.
Research The Area Regarding Home Values And Trends
If you’re working with a quality Realtor, she’ll know the area and will give you solid area information about market trends and home values that will guide you on deciding on list price. Of course, it’s always good to stay up on it yourself to be assured that her guidance is spot on.
Don’t Let Your Emotions Make Your Decisions
Knowing life has taken a left turn for Mom is hard to swallow. The empty house and especially the belongings within it can have a lifetime of fond memories associated with them. It’s important to feel the emotions that come up, but don’t let your emotions drive you into making decisions too quickly, keeping too many personal belongings that could cost you too much money to store and transport, or lull you into choosing to wait too long and racking up utility, maintenance and holding costs on the property that you weren’t prepared to pay.
Be Diligent, But Don’t Rush
Balancing the emotions of life changes with making rational and prudent decisions is the name of the game. Each morning, you may wake up feeling that there are too many decisions to make and tasks to attend to, but keep in mind that everything doesn’t need to be completed in this moment. Give yourself a break. Take one small step at a time and, at the same time, don’t let overwhelm paralyze you.
Weigh The Value Of Spending Time Or Spending Money
Now that you’ve done a thorough analysis of the big picture, you realize the magnitude of what needs to get done while maintaining a life balance back home. It’s worth considering which you have more of at this point: time or money? You might be an at-home DIY’er and feel perfectly comfortable handling each piece of this project yourself. But you’re also being reminded of the work projects and kids soccer games at home that need your time and attention as well.
Consider the value of handing off the project management work to someone who has resources at her fingertips, lives locally, and who can give you a weekly phone or email update on the progress of the project. That might just be the ticket to help you sleep at night, and you might be pleasantly surprised that it doesn’t cost that much more.
Consider The Tax Or Medicaid Program Implications Of Selling Your Family’s Real Estate
Be sure to consult with your tax advisor and/or your Medicaid Application Consultant regarding how the sale of your Mom’s property could affect your financial picture. You might find that, at least for a short period, it would be more advantageous to keep the property and lease it to a long-term tenant. Your project manager should be able to help you with this aspect of the project as well.
Remember to Breathe & Breathe Often.
Through it all, you may find yourself so wrapped up in the “what’s next” that one small, but critical, detail slipped through the cracks. Stop, take a deep breath, and slow the pace. Always remember that breathing is your friend, and taking occasional deep breaths does wonders for mitigating the stressful feelings that tend to overwhelm.
Bonus tip: The last task you might want to take time to do before you head back north is to invite Marge, Mildred and your Mom’s golfing buddies over for a gin & tonic and thank them for their friendship. I’m sure your Mom will love to see each of them in her new living arrangements now and again. Leave contact information for both you and Mom and head home knowing how proud your Mom would be with the details you’d attended to. And of course, remember to breathe.
Listing your home in the late summer might sound daunting. But selling a home in August can be a good strategy, as the market is typically active with buyers motivated to move for the new school year or to settle in before the holidays. Make your property stand out with these easy-to-implement strategies.Leverage the Longer Summer DaysLonger days mean you have more daylight hours to show your home. Daytime showings allow sunlight to flood your rooms to better highlight architectural details, finishes and flooring. In general, natural light makes spaces appear larger, warmer and more inviting.Keep Up the Curb AppealFirst impressions are crucial. Youll need to be at the top of your outdoor maintenance game. That means grass is always cut, weeds are pulled and shrubs are trimmed. Other essential tasks include power washing the exterior, cleaning windows and touching up paint where needed. Work with your real estate agent to understand the best way to bump up your curb appeal within your budget.Show Off Your Outdoor SpacesMaybe you have a spacious deck or a thriving garden. Its worth spending a little time staging these areas to highlight them as extensions of your living space. Be sure these spaces are clean, inviting and free of weeds or debris. Consider adding some outdoor lighting to create ambiance and emphasize features like walkways, trees or sitting areas.Add Seasonal TouchesTurn up the summertime charm with a few easy touches both outdoors and indoors. Add late-summer blooming plants like asters and mums near your front door. Place fresh, seasonal flowers around your home to add color and fragrance. Incorporate pillows and throws in late summer colors like deep yellows and oranges. Another appreciated touch: Add a tray of lemonade and glasses to your counter or island for open houses or showings. Lastly, August can get hot and muggy! Keep your air conditioning running at a comfortable temperature so your guests have a distraction-free touring experience.With a few extra steps, you can capture the magic of summer season and help potential buyers picture themselves relaxing on your deck with a cool drink. Remember these buyers are highly motivated, so make your property the one that shines!
Sellers, take note and embrace the holiday joy! If youre planning to list your home this season, early fall is the perfect time to prepare your home for the market. Youll face less competition and buyers will be highly motivated to settle into new digs in time to ring in the new year.1. Less CompetitionDuring spring and summer, there are historically more homes on the market. During the holidays, there are typically fewer listings, making it easier for your home to really stand out and shine to potential buyers.2. More Serious BuyersAmid the hubbub, people are extra busy gift shopping and attending celebrations. Consequently, youre not likely to get many just-looking buyers. Anyone home shopping during the holidays will be more focused and more likely to make a strong initial offer.3. End-of-Year Financial AdvantagesFinalizing a home sale before the end of the year can provide potential financial benefits, such as deductions on property taxes, mortgage interest and other home-related costs. 4. Job Relocation SeasonSince January is a common window for job relocations, buyers may need to settle into a city and home by the end of the holiday season. Your home may be the answer to their relocation prayers!5. Faster ClosingsSince everyone is busy decking the halls, buyers and sellers will both be interested in moving things along expeditiously. And because all the professionals involved for a sale will have fewer closings on their plate, your transaction will get even more attention.6. Cozy VibesWhile winter weather can be daunting, nothing beats coming in from the cold to a warm, cozy home adorned for the season. Just turn up the heat, have a yummy treat in the oven and be sure to keep your sidewalks clear of snow and ice. Along with your festive outdoor lights, youll appeal to buyers sentimentality with all the decorative touches.Listing your home during the most festive time of the year can lead to more serious and qualified buyers and a fresh start for the new year. Contact your local Coldwell Banker agent to get a jump start on listing your home in time for the holidays.
Going green is easier than you think! Small changes around your home can make a big impact on the environment, your health and your bank account. Try implementing these affordable ways to improve the overall quality of your home life.Insulate and Seal DraftsAdding insulation to your attic or walls can reduce energy loss and also keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Sealing gaps around windows and doors prevents drafts and saves energy.Install a Programmable ThermostatConsider installing an upgraded thermostat, which automatically adjusts the temperature based on your schedule. The result is that you conserve energy when youre not home and optimize comfort when you are.Unplug Electronic DevicesWhile youre sleeping, did you know your devices might be driving up your electricity bill? Even when powered down, plugged-in items like computers, countertop appliances, video game consoles and other electronic gadgets could be gobbling up energy.Consider Energy-Efficient AppliancesIf your budget permits, consider upgrading your dishwasher, refrigerator, washing machine or other appliances to more energy-efficient models. While theres an up-front cost, you can save money over the long term. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys Energy Star program, household appliances account for nearly 11% of energy use in an average house.Switch to LED LightingReplacing incandescent bulbs with LED lights will reduce energy consumption and lower your electricity bill. Savings are significant. For example, Energy Star-certified LED lighting uses 90% less energy than incandescent lighting and lasts 35 to 50 times longer.Close Curtains and BlindsHeres a simple tip that wont cost you a dime! On hot, sunny days, keep your blinds or curtains closed to keep the heat out and reduce AC use. In colder weather, close window coverings to minimize heat loss.Establish Eco-Friendly Cleaning RoutinesChoosing biodegradable or non-toxic cleaning products will reduce the number of harmful chemicals in your home. You can even make your own cleaners using pantry staples like baking soda, lemon juice and vinegar. Establish other good habits, like only running the dishwasher or washing machine when its a full load to cut down on energy use.Green living is achievable with some simple steps. Not only will you reduce your environmental footprint, but your home will be more comfortable and youll reap tangible cost savings over time.