A Holiday Miracle: Helping a Senior Couple Transition with Ease

Author

Home Smart - Jude Creamer

For more information about the author, click to view their website: Jude Creamer

Posted on

Jan 07, 2025

Book/Edition

Florida - Sarasota, Bradenton & Charlotte Counties

share-this
Share This

This past Thanksgiving, I had the privilege of assisting a wonderful senior couple from West Bradenton. Their story is one of love, family, and the determination to make a big change happen in record time. Over the holiday, after spending precious moments with their only daughter and grandchild, they made a heartfelt decision: they wanted to move closer to family up north—and they wanted to do it by Christmas.

But as anyone who has been through it knows, selling a home and moving, especially on such a tight timeline, comes with its own set of challenges. And this home had its fair share. The couple wanted to sell their house for top dollar, but there were obstacles to overcome:

  • A house full of life: Three adults, an infant, a dog, and two cats meant keeping the home show-ready for potential buyers was going to be near impossible.
  • Post-Hurricane Milton repairs: The privacy fence was still lying on the ground, a leftover reminder of the storm.
  • Curb appeal issues: The porch floor bore the wear and tear of ten years of paint scrapes, giving it an unkempt look.
  • Interior details: Light fixtures had mismatched bulbs, and the house carried the unmistakable smell of its feline residents.

Crafting a Plan for Success

During our initial consultations, we discussed the reality of selling the home in its current state versus making a few key updates. It became clear that the house would show best if it were vacant. However, the couple needed their savings intact to start fresh in their new hometown.

That’s when I rolled up my sleeves and got to work:

  1. Coordinating Repairs: I connected them with a reliable contractor to reinstall the five missing fence panels and repaint the porch floor, giving the home an instant boost in curb appeal.
  2. Tackling Details: Once the house was empty, we brought in a professional cleaning team to refresh the interior. I even climbed a ladder myself to replace all the light bulbs with consistent, warm tones.
  3. Managing the Timeline: The family was able to move north and settle in before Christmas, leaving me to handle the sale of their home.

A Holiday Win

The house was listed on Christmas Eve, and the response was immediate. At the first Open House, we received a cash offer, and by New Year’s Eve, the home was under contract. The couple’s dream of reuniting with their family became a reality—quickly, seamlessly, and with minimal stress.

Let’s Make Your Story a Success

Do you have a situation like this in your world? Whether you’re helping a loved one transition or your own big move, I’m here to provide the professional real estate guidance and TLC you need. From prepping a home to ensuring it sells for top dollar, quickly and efficiently, I’ll be by your side every step of the way.

Call me today, and let’s talk about how we can make your real estate journey as smooth and successful as possible.

Other Articles You May Like

Ho Ho Buys Cars: A Trusted Partner for Seniors Selling Their Vehicles

Howard of Ho Ho Buys Cars has earned a stellar reputation as a trustworthy and compassionate professional, especially when working with seniors in need of selling their vehicles. Mary Catherine Lewis, of Tranquil Transition Partners, has praised Howard for his ethical approach and outstanding service when assisting clients transitioning to senior living.Tranquil Transition Partners frequently refers clients to Ho Ho Buys Cars when they need to sell their vehicles to help fund their move to a senior living community. Howard consistently demonstrates efficiency, kindness, and respect, making the often-sensitive process smoother for seniors and their families.Mary Catherine highlighted Howard's willingness to accommodate timelines and his respectful demeanor toward customers, understanding the emotional reasons behind selling a vehicle. His integrity and professionalism make him a reliable choice for anyone seeking auto sale services.If you or a loved one need to sell a vehicle as part of a transition to senior living, consider Ho Ho Buys Cars for a smooth, dignified experience led by a true professional.

Convivial Jacaranda Trace Celebrates Its Centenarian Residents with Stunning Photography Exhibit

VENICE, FL- Convivial Jacaranda Trace is proud to celebrate a remarkable milestone in the lives of its residents: the Centenarians who have made our Jacaranda Trace community a stronger, richer, and more vibrant place to call home.  With a deep sense of pride, the community will come together to honor these extraordinary individuals who have reached the incredible age of 100 or more.Inspired by Czech photographer Jan Langers portrait series Faces of a Century, Chaplain Anne Feibelman, Spiritual Life Director at Convivial Jacaranda Trace, created a similar program to honor the communitys own Centenarians. We invited all members aged 99+ to participate in this special project exhibiting their younger selves with a current photo.   The exhibit offered timeless portraits over the pastime and life experiences of six extraordinary women, and at some deep level, unchanged by the passage of time, says Feibelman, Our Centenarian residents of Convivial Jacaranda Trace come from diverse backgrounds and have lived through incredible historical events, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the rapid advancements of technology and society. Theyve raised families, contributed to their professions, and volunteered their time to improve their communities, leaving an indelible mark on the fabric of our society.    The exhibit shows the beauty and elegance of aging successfully and that, as time passes, we remain ultimately ourselves.The event, titled "Centennial Celebration: A Legacy of Resilience and Wisdom," will take place on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Convivial Jacaranda Trace. Residents, families, friends, and community leaders will gather for a special ceremony recognizing the accomplishments, contributions, and enduring spirits of the centenarians who have lived through some of the most transformative moments in history.We are thrilled to celebrate our centenarians, whose lives are living testaments to resilience, adaptability, and strength, said Joel Anderson, CEO of Jacaranda Trace. These remarkable women have not only witnessed the passage of time but have shaped the character of our Jacaranda Trace community. They embody our values of love, life and laughter, and we are excited to celebrate their remarkable journeys.A highlight of the celebration will be the unveiling of the photographs of the Centenarians followed by a reception with light refreshments with personalized tributes from friends and family members.Its not every day that we get to celebrate people who have lived through so much, said Warren Hall, President of the Members Advisory Council. Our Centenarians have seen history unfold in ways we can only imagine. Their legacy is one of deep wisdom, strength, and connection, and we are privileged to share in their joy and honor their lives.For more information about the event, please contact Christine Clyne at cclyne@conviviallife.org or 941.260.3946.About Convivial Life Convivial Life is the solid underpinning of the Jacaranda Trace community. Convivial is a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization that operates vibrant senior living communities that promote an active lifestyle and opportunities to enjoy life to its fullest. They are inspired to create first-class communities centered in love, life, and laughter, offering distinct residences, desirable amenities, and tailored wellness and healthcare support. If you would like to learn more about Convivial Life and their family of communities, visit their website at https://conviviallife.org/.

Are your protection plans in place?

            Have you ever thought about how much you have to protect? Between your family, your finances, your independence and your legacy, it can be quite a lot and thats why it's important to have the right protection plan in place.            Lets look at these areas of need and some possible protection solutions:            Protecting your income An injury or severe illness could prevent you from working for some time. And if that happened, your familys finances could become strained. To help guard against this possibility, you may want to consider disability income insurance. Your employer may offer some type of coverage, but its likely to be short term and may not be enough to help close the income gap you might face, so you may want to consider purchasing your own policy.             Protecting your family  If you were no longer around, how would your familys lifestyle be affected? Could they stay in the same house? Could your children afford college or another type of post-secondary education? If you have adequate life insurance, the answer to these questions can be yes. Again, you might get some coverage from your employer, but it may be insufficient, so you may want to explore additional protection through a personal policy. In determining how much coverage youll need, youll want to weigh several factors: size of mortgage and other debts, number of children, spouses income and needs, and the legacy youd like to leave.            Protecting your goals You may have some important financial goals, such as sending your children to college and achieving a comfortable retirement. To protect these goals, youll need strategies to help prepare for them, which could include investing in an education savings plan and contributing regularly to your IRA and 401(k) or other retirement plans.             Protecting your financial independence Hopefully, you will be able to remain financially independent your entire life. But this independence could be threatened by the need for some type of long-term care. Consider this: A private room in a nursing home costs, on average, more than $116,000 a year, while the services of a home health aide are more than $75,000 a year, according to Genworth, an insurance company. Medicare generally does not cover these costs or types of needs and would typically only pay for a short period. You might be left with significant bills or creditors and possibly dependent on family or loved ones. To help protect yourself from these threats, you may want to consult with a financial professional, who can offer long-term care solutions.            Protecting your legacy When you work hard your whole life, you may want to leave something behind to your loved ones. A comprehensive estate plan can help ensure your family and the charitable groups you support will receive the resources youd like them to have. An estate plan can be somewhat complex, involving various documents and arrangements, including a will, living trust and various powers of attorney, so youll need to work with a qualified legal advisor, and possibly your financial professional.             As weve seen, protection can take many forms. So, try to follow all the protection strategies you need to enjoy the life youve envisioned for yourself and your family. Chad Choate III, AAMS 828 3rd Avenue West Bradenton, FL 34205 941-462-2445 chad.chaote@edwardjones.comThis article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.