Hold Onto Your Castle!

Posted on

May 27, 2009

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Utah - Utah

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What if you could stay in your home, enjoying independence and comforts of home longer? Do you have a family Realtor who will advise you to not sell unless necessary? Do you have a Realtor who has resources for medical needs, for VA assistance benefits, to give you financial options and resources to speak to when you have questions regarding whether to sell or not?
Seniors Real Estate Specialists (SRES) do more than just sell homes. We are a resource for families under stress during times of medical need for, or loss of, a loved one. We are here to be a calming agent during very emotional times.
SRSEs know that selling the home is not always the first or even best option. Because of this, we have access to in-home care resources to let you or your loved ones stay in their home longer. We understand VA benefits for care, how to keep eligibility when you do need to sell, and the grief that comes with an actual move out. If you have a reverse mortgage, an SRES is your best choice when you decide to sell, because of the special rules surrounding these mortgages! We have your trusts reviewed by Title company attorneys to make sure you have correct wording to sell and close. Did you know that some trusts are not written right and the seller cannot close? What if you were counting on that sale for medical bills, but no-one had taken the time to review the trust? Did you know that not all Power of Attorneys allow real estate sales even when they say they do? An SRES can review those as well. SRESs usually have teams to help you clean, pack, do light painting, some moving and run yard sales when you are ready to move. What could be better than having a team to help? As your family SRES, we help you stay in your home longer, providing you with tools to make comfortable decisions. Always call on an SRES when you have real estate questions!

This article was submitted by Gina Gonzales SRES, she can be reached at 801-544-6829.

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YOU CAN SELL YOUR HOME OVER THE SUMMER IN BRADENTON & SARASOTA

Sometimes you have no choice on when you need to sell your home a job transfer, you saw another home you really want to buy, or you have an unexpected life change.  Selling in the off season such as summer isnt ideal but it can be done, and its imperative its done the right way to get the best results.And, believe it or not, not everyone is on vacation in the summer!  In fact, some buyers have more flexible schedules. There are also plenty of buyers that are just getting their search started and those who didnt find the right house or got outbid during the busy Spring selling season.  Summer really can be a good time to sell your home to one of these off-season buyers who dont want to wait until the Fall or next Spring. Here are our must-do tips for that summertime sale:Target the Right Buyers for Your NeighborhoodAs we mentioned above, there are certain buyers who keep looking over the summer. But there are also buyers who are relocating to Bradenton/Sarasota and have to move pronto. You need to target these different types of buyers, tapping into their needs and wants for a home.If youre in an urban Bradenton neighborhood, with more young and hip buyers, then your focus is on first-time buyers who have more flexibility and may not have a deadline. But, keep in mind, that the buyers still looking into summertime are serious buyers and are ready to find a home and put in an offer.Youll need to price your home right from the get-go, be generous with your terms (offer to pay for closing costs) and make your home a summer retreat for them.Also be flexible with the hours you show your home. With daylight lasting well past dinnertime, be open to later showings. Younger, first-time buyers will find this time more convenient during their work week. Make sure you take advantage of these daylight hours!For Lakewood Ranch or a suburban Sarasota home, your buyers may be tied to the school calendar and want to settle on a home quickly. You still want to price your home correctly to bring in the foot traffic, make it as move-in ready as possible (theyre looking for convenience and dont want to deal with projects), and showcase your home so it looks like a great place for their familys summer staycation.And again, be flexible with your showing hours. Daylight savings means families are on the go later into the evening, but they usually find a lull after dinnertime perfect time for them to see your home.Showcase Your Homes Summer BestNow is the time to make your home shine on the inside and the outside. Make your home bright and welcoming a summertime oasis!Curb appeal and backyard staging will draw buyers in. You want buyers to want to see your home and then envision themselves relaxing and living there. Outdoor living space can be a big selling point, even in the summer in Florida.Plan to spend a little bit on some outdoor dcor, whether its a bistro table and chairs on your deck; patio furniture with colorful throw pillows; or a lovely wooden bench and flowerpots near your walkway. This may be a great time to work with a stager so you dont have to buy many items yourself.Dont skimp on or blast the air conditioning. Dont make your home hot and stuffy so that buyers rush through your home. Or dont make it too cold, that buyers sprint through the rooms. Set your thermostat at a comfortable and cool temperature. If youve already moved, make sure you time it so that your home stays cool during possible showings. Buyers will love to get out of the heat!Brighten up your home. Consider switching out dark colored pillows, throw rugs, curtains, and other dcor to lighter colors.  Clean the windows, open the blinds, and keep the lights on. Even though it doesnt get dark until much later in the summer, you still want to light up the inside of your home.Maintain your yard and water, water, water. Mow your lawn, trim your bushes and trees. Sweep your deck or patio regularly.  The summer heat can make your lawn turn brown water that and all of your flowers in beds and pots.Be prepared for getting your family out of the house. If you have children, selling in the summer can be difficult because they arent in school and are at home, possibly all day long. Hopefully you can keep your home in order as much as possible and develop a good exit strategy for those times you need to show it. Preplan so you know if you need to have a sitter, set up a play date, sign up for a camp, or head out for a long dinner.Putting It All TogetherAs you can see, selling in the summertime doesnt have to be a negative. Youll have more daylight hours to showcase your home, youll see more serious buyers or those on a deadline themselves, and many homes can look their best inside and outside in the summer. All positive!But do keep in mind that summer is slower and there will be less traffic to your home than if you listed in the height of the springtime selling season. That can be a chaotic and rushed time, so the lazy days of summer is definitely a different market. You must keep it all in perspective.Every seller has their own personal specifics and deadline when it comes to selling, especially if you need to list your home in the summer. You MUST know your market and neighborhood so that you price your home right and also have an idea of what you should or shouldnt be doing when negotiating terms.Im here to help you with a summertime sale. I have a sales plan to get your home sold as quickly as possible for the most amount of money possible. Id love to tell you all about it.  Simply email me and we can set up a time to talk and see if selling in the summer is the right move for you.

8 TIPS TO KEEP CALM AND CLOSE THE CHAPTER

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 wont be able to live on her own again, and it doesnt make sense to retain the house she once lived in.  You cant ask Mildred or Marge, her best golfing buds, to do what comes next.  Its up to you and your siblings, and where do you begin?Below are eight tips to help you handle your moms 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 PlanSpend some time thinking about whats 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:TimeHow much time will you need to gather, organize, pack, choose, decide, ship, and move her belongings?How much time can you get off work to travel to Sarasota, handle the move, spruce up the property, and put the house on the market and coordinate the sale? LogisticsWhen do you start?Should you fly down to SRQ, or drive?How many times will you need to make the trip?Which siblings are going to help?Can you coordinate schedules so everyone can work together?DecisionsWhat personal possessions will Mom want in her new home?Who gets which heirloom?Do you ship these precious pieces, or store them?Should you advertise and host an estate sale, or donate?Mom lived in the house for 18 years. It definitely needs some cleaning and possibly a bit of updating in order to sell it. Who will handle THAT?Choose To Work With A Local And Experienced PartnerTackling 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, youll 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 youd hand over the key.  From there wed agree on a master game plan, and Id follow it to a T with good communications along the way.  You head back north to your other responsibilities, and Ill get your job done here in Sarasota.    Research The Area Regarding Home Values And TrendsIf youre working with a quality Realtor, shell 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, its always good to stay up on it yourself to be assured that her guidance is spot on.Dont Let Your Emotions Make Your DecisionsKnowing 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.   Its important to feel the emotions that come up, but dont 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 werent prepared to pay.Be Diligent, But Dont RushBalancing 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 doesnt need to be completed in this moment.  Give yourself a break. Take one small step at a time and, at the same time, dont let overwhelm paralyze you.Weigh The Value Of Spending Time Or Spending MoneyNow that youve 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.  Its worth considering which you have more of at this point: time or money?  You might be an at-home DIYer and feel perfectly comfortable handling each piece of this project yourself.  But youre 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 doesnt cost that much more.Consider The Tax Or Medicaid Program Implications Of Selling Your Familys Real EstateBe sure to consult with your tax advisor and/or your Medicaid Application Consultant regarding how the sale of your Moms 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 whats 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 Moms golfing buddies over for a gin & tonic and thank them for their friendship.  Im 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 youd attended to.  And of course, remember to breathe.