The Upside of Senior Downsizing - How a Seniors Real Estate Specialist Can Reduce the Overwhelm

Posted on

Nov 08, 2018

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You may have lived in your home for 50+ years.
You may have raised your children in your home. You have worked your entire life to accumulate the items in your home. You wonder, how can I give up this home that is full of love and memories? Here are three questions youll want to ask yourself:

Is home maintenance becoming a problem?
Is it time to live closer to my children or grandchildren?
Is the home becoming a financial burden?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to move on. Whether moving to another community or to a senior-supportive environment, you need Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) trusted in your corner. An SRES is qualified to assist seniors in housing sales and purchases. Their mission is to help seniors and their families navigate the maze of financial, legal and emotional issues that accompany the sale of a forever home.

An SRES understands that this is a very stressful time for the family so they are patient and helpful during the process. Their decision to become an SRES is rooted in their desire to help others. It means that your Realtor has respect for seniors; has the ability to listen deeply and knows how to communicate the old fashioned way with a handshake, a smile and a visit.

An SRES will help you properly price your home for maximum benefit. They will help you prepare to sell by recommending their team of trusted professionals in doing necessary repairs, to assist you with an estate sale or to help stage the home. Finally, your SRES will counsel you, and keep you involved and updated, making the transaction less stressful and more successful.

Editors Note: This article was written by Caryn Becker, Realtor & SRES with Century 21 Curbow Realty. She can be reached at 719-233-2489 or by email at caryn@carynbecker.com

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Streamlining Transitions A Comprehensive Guide to Downsizing for Seniors

Downsizing and moving into an assisted living community can be a daunting task for seniors. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting and requires a lot of planning and preparation. However, with proper planning and organization, the downsizing process can be made much smoother and less stressful. In this article, we will discuss downsizing and provide a checklist of essentials for seniors moving into an assisted living community.Why Downsizing is Necessary:Downsizing is often necessary when seniors decide to move into an assisted living community. This is because they will be moving from a larger home with more space to a smaller living space that is more manageable and requires much less maintenance.Checklist of Essentials for Seniors Moving into an Assisted Living Community:Determine the Space AvailableBefore moving into an assisted living community, it is important to determine the amount of space available in the new living quarters. This will help seniors decide what items they can bring with them and what they need to sell, donate, or discard. Get a copy of the floor plan for your new living space and determine what furniture and items can fit. Seniors can also take measurements of the new living space and make their own floor plans.Take Inventory of BelongingsSeniors should take an inventory of their belongings and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. This is a good time to downsize items that they no longer need or use. Many take this opportunity to gift family heirlooms or memorabilia to loved ones and relay the history and stories that surround precious items.Sell, Donate, or Discard Unwanted ItemsSeniors should sell, donate, or discard items that they no longer need or use. This can include furniture, clothing, kitchen items, and other household goods. This will help reduce the number of items that need to be moved and make the move easier.Pack with CareWhen packing for the move, seniors should take care to pack fragile items with extra padding and label boxes clearly. This will help ensure that items are not damaged during the move and that they can be easily unpacked and organized in the new spaces.Hire Professional MoversSeniors may want to consider hiring professional movers to help with the move. This will help reduce the physical and emotional stress of moving and ensure that items are transported safely to their new living quarters.Bring Important DocumentsSeniors should bring important documents with them to the assisted living community, including identification, medical records, insurance information, and legal documents. These documents should be kept in a safe and secure place.Familiarize Yourself with the CommunityBefore moving in, seniors should take the time to familiarize themselves with the assisted living community. This may include taking a tour, meeting staff and residents, and asking questions about the services and amenities available.Downsizing and moving into an assisted living community can be a worrisome experience for seniors, but it doesn't have to be. By following the checklist of essentials above and planning carefully, the process can be smoother and less stressful. Downsizing may require some difficult decisions, but it can also be an opportunity to simplify and declutter.By following these steps, seniors can make the transition to an assisted living community with confidence and ease. It may take some time to adjust to the new living environment, but with the right preparation and a positive attitude, it can be an exciting new chapter in life.

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.