Seniors Biggest Challenge in Downsizing: January 2014

Saturday, January 25, 2014

Selecting an SRES REALTOR for Macomb County Michigan

What is an “SRES?” That’s a great question! SRES stands for Seniors Real Estate Specialists, who are local REALTORS (here in Macomb County MI) uniquely qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 60+. The SRES Council of the National Association of REALTORS awards the SRES designation to those agents who have successfully completed an extensive education program. Rick Giese of RE/MAX Advisors & www.MySeniorHelpDesk.com is one of the few REALTORS in Southeastern Michigan who hold the designation of SRES.

SRES REALTORS have demonstrated the necessary knowledge and expertise to counsel clients age 60+ through major financial and lifestyle transitions involved in relocating, refinancing, or selling the family home.

Seniors often have a more complicated set of needs than their younger counterparts when it comes to real estate transactions. Accordingly, for older adults making home buying, selling, or financing decisions, there are many benefits of working with a senior specialist.

Here are just a few examples: SRES agents have lots of experience with downsizing. Selling the family home can be extremely challenging, if mom and dad have lived in the same place for 30+ years. Seniors often accumulate a wealth of “stuff” and disposing of it can be both physically and emotionally challenging, not to mention overwhelming. An SRES is armed with many resources to help mitigate the stress of this task, and has plenty of experience in this area.

Another common challenge faced by many seniors who are selling their family home is that they haven’t updated in many years. Outdated kitchens and baths, carpet and wallpaper that is out of style and other similar issues can be overwhelming and hard for the prospective senior seller to understand. Again, a compassionate SRES can guide them through making wise financial decisions about the cost to upgrade versus simply pricing the property to sell “as is.”

When it comes to choosing a new place, SRES agents are well versed in the range of 55+ communities, as well as local senior housing facilities. For first time retirees, it is extremely helpful to consider homes that will “age” with them – in other words, practical floor plans and options such as first floor bedrooms and potential caretaker suites that can be adapted to meet their needs as they grow older.

Are you looking for an SRES REALTOR that serves Southeastern Michigan? Call Rick Giese (SRES) Associate Broker with RE/MAX Advisors at 586-242-3100 or by email rick@rickgiese.comMake sure you get a FREE copy of our newest book "Downsizing Made Easy" by going to: http://www.5stepstodownsizing.com/

Get your FREE Copy Today

No matter your situation, visit my FREE Online CMA site at: www.MyMIHomeValue.com for a FREE No-Obligation comparative market analysis of your home or condo. This system can tell you how much your property is worth in today's market.

Rick Giese has more than 27 years of experience selling residential real estate, probate, trust and conservatorship. Rick can help you. Contact Rick Giese, associate broker at RE/MAX Advisors at 1-800-274-5656 or rick@rickigiese.com

Consistently ranked as one of Southeastern Michigan's associate brokers of with seniors real estate experience. Rick Giese has over 27 years of Real Estate experience and is one of the areas Rick has a strong focus on assisting homeowners in need, Rick Giese offers a straightforward no nonsense consultation designed to give you all the information and facts to enable you to make the best decision for you and your family. As every situation is different, Rick offers his insight and knowledge of the real estate transaction process and all the options available to you to get the most money the market will pay or to help you avoid foreclosure. Call Rick Giese today at toll free 1-800-274-5656 or your free consultation of your situation and sleep better tonight

Rick Giese specializes in senior’s real estate assistance in the Macomb, Oakland and southern St Clair County Areas of Oakland Short Sale Help Macomb and our services are offering senior sellers and their family’s options. Rick is currently offering our services in the Richmond, Shelby Township, Macomb Township, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Mount Clemens (Mt Clemens) Fraser, Harrison Township, Warren, Roseville, St Clair Shores areas of Macomb County Michigan Madison Heights, Troy, Clawson, Royal Oak, Rochester, Rochester Hills, Berkley, Birmingham areas of Oakland County

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Rick Giese SRES talks about "Helping an Aging Parent Decide Whether and Where To Move"

Helping an aging parent decide whether and where to move, when their current home is no longer a viable option, can often time be fought tooth and nail by mom or dad.

Scenario: Your parent or parents are getting older and you are discomforted by the things you see changing, almost on a daily basis. The home, once immaculate, has become the area in their lives for their memories and everything that brought comfort in the past. It's subtle at first, that favorite lacy tablecloth starts to show signs of wear, the once white fabric has yellowed with age and bearing the obvious burden of months or more of mail, which has been read and some unopened and unread.

Sometimes when one parent remains alone after the death of a spouse, the problem is brought to a head. Age is starting to creep up, and mom or dad's reason for being no longer exists. There are no pressing tasks calling to them, the person for whom they are responsible is no longer there. This sometimes develops itself in depression and questioning themselves to why they are still here and living.

As an adult child in this situation, you are faced with an emotional challenge. You want to help without the reversal of the roles of parent and child. You also have a life of your own, with its own demands. Talking about what you see can set off unexpected bursts of anger. Nobody wants to be told they can no longer hold it together or continue to live in a home they've lived in for years.

You and the family will need to assess the parent’s situation. There is no blueprint. You might be able to get them involved in some activities outside the home. The more they interact with people, the better the chance it will pull them out of the confused situation in which they find themselves. Sometimes moving them to a better environment helps. There are so many housing options now for an aging population, from the active adult/55 and over communities, to the many levels of assisted living complexes throughout the Macomb County area of Michigan.

Information will be your best friend in the process of getting your parent or relative on a path that will help give more meaning to their later years. If you need any information about senior housing options, just reach out to Rick Giese Macomb County Michigan’s Leading Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) at 586.242.3100 or by email rick@rickgiese,com . A real estate expert in the Southeastern Michigan area for over 27 years, with much experience dealing with the needs of seniors, you'll be in the right hands.

Make sure you get a FREE copy of our newest book "Downsizing Made Easy" by going to: http://www.5stepstodownsizing.com/

Get your FREE Copy Today

Saturday, January 11, 2014

Timing Isn't Something It is EVERYTHING in Real Estate!

In both real estate and in life

Timing Isn't Something It is EVERYTHING.

Why start painting on the inside of an elderly lady's home when she has not moved out yet? Why rush to take buyers out looking at houses when they are not qualified? Why get the loan for the mortgage "approved" when you don't have the appraisal yet?

In life, when preparation meets opportunity it is called luck, but it is more about timing. Don't rush into marriage till you know the other person. Don't take a job over your skill level till you are trained. Don't buy the big screen TV till you can afford it. Look at that big bear in nature. HE KNOWS when that rainbow trout will be there.

If you are thinking of selling, prepare your home asap, then put it on the market around March 15th-April 15th. That way you will capture the largest group of young buyers in many years! Rates will be going up, and buyers have been waiting for a long time to purchase. Have your closing date for the property you are moving into for about May 1st-June 1st so that you will have a smooth transition from selling to moving to closing.

If you are a buyer, the best deals come at the very beginning of the year so you would want to purchase right now! Don't wait until all buyers come out in spring as you will be competing with multiple offers and higher prices and interest rates.

Opportunities and experiences we can grasp or they can pass us by too, never to be able to capture them again. The proverbial once in a life time moments. With timing it is a feeling kind of thing with us drifting through life, and you have to know to grab it or let it go. This song talks about those special LOVE moments, so please grab those with your good timing.

Challenges Become Choices

As the challenges of moving fade due to increasingly helpful professionals, seniors are left

with nothing but choices—where to move, when to move, what to take, and how to decorate the new home. Older adults who are considering a move are no longer faced with the difficult questions of how to market their homes and move their belongings. There is help available every step of the way. The only question that remains is, “Are you ready for a move?”

Rick Giese has more than 27 years of experience selling residential real estate for seniors and their familes, probate, trust and conservatorship. Rick can help you. Contact Rick Giese, associate broker at RE/MAX Advisors at 1-800-274-5656 or rick@rickigiese.com.

Follow us on Face book at : https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsRealEstateOfMacombMichigan

Want to get a idea of today's present market value of your home? Check out our online CMA site at www.mymihomevalue,com

Consistently ranked as one of Southeastern Michigan's associate brokers of Equity Sales and Short Sales. Seniors certified and trained. Rick Giese has over 27 years of Real Estate experience and is one of the areas Rick has a strong focus on assisting homeowners in need, Rick Giese offers a straightforward no nonsense consultation designed to give you all the information and facts to enable you to make the best decision for you and your family. As every situation is different, Rick offers his insight and knowledge of the real estate transaction process and all the options available to you to get the most money the market will pay or to help you avoid foreclosure. Call Rick Giese today at toll free 1-800-274-5656 or your free consultation of your situation and sleep better tonight

Tags: assisted living, caregiving, CRTS, help parents move, move management, move seniors,parent care, retirement lving, selling senior homes, senior housing, senior real estate, Senior Relocation, Senior Resources Advice, Chesterfield, Downsizing, Eastpointe, Fraser, FREE, Harrison twp, Help, Macomb County,Macomb Twp, MI, Michigan, Moving Plans, Mt Clemens, New Baltimore, Real Estate, Roseville, Seniors, Sterling Heights, Warren

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Rick Giese explains the challenges of Downsizing a Macomb County Michigan Senior

It may be time to consider moving, yet the thought fills many with absolute dread. The aspects of the moving process may seem overwhelming. There are so many issues to deal with: sorting, packing, cleaning, selling the home, and various other tasks. The moving to-do list never seems to end.

However, for seniors who have been in their homes for 20, 30, 40, or more years. Relocating presents challenges far beyond the physical demands of carrying boxes and arranging furniture.

Most older adults are faced difficult emotional and financial decisions during the moving process. Preparing the family home for sale, downsizing, packing, moving, and setting up the new house are all physically and mentally arduous tasks. It is not surprising that many seniors hesitate to leave their long-time homes—insisting that they are “Not Ready Yet!” In fact, the moving process is often cited as one of the largest barriers to relocating by seniors who would otherwise be ready for a move.

Transforming Challenges, Step by Step

No one would consider diagnosing a health problem without consulting a physician or going to court without the assistance of an attorney. The process of moving and downsizing should be no different.

Innovative companies like Rick Giese Macomb County Michigan Seniors Real Estate Specialist of RE/MAX Advisors offers customized services to help seniors with every aspect of moving and downsizing. Rick will provide essential advice and assistance while preparing the home for sale and sorting through possessions, but his services do not stop there. Rick will also help older adults prepare for a move by breaking the process down into manageable steps and offering hands-on assistance. With this type of professional support, the challenges of the moving process can easily be transformed into choices.

Step One: Preparing to Sell

Once a homeowner has made the decision to sell their home, they should select a trained and certified real estate broker who can meet their distinctive needs. The emergence of specialized real estate designations has made the process of choosing an agent easier for older adults. Senior Real Estate Specialists (SRES) are licensed Realtors who have received the SRES designation through the national Senior Advantage Real Estate Council. SRES agents have completed specialized training courses and are qualified to meet the unique needs of their senior clients throughout the home selling process.

Rick Giese, an associate broker at RE/MAX Advisors, explains, “After evaluating the current condition of a home, we provide a report that includes the suggested asking price for the home in its present condition and another suggested asking price for the home after completing some improvements.”

Rick goes on to note that suggested improvements can be as simple as enhancing curb appeal by re-mulching flower beds or improving first impressions by removing clutter from the home’s entry. Other recommended improvements may include updating appliances, replacing carpets, and repainting exterior or interior walls.

In addition to comprehensive reports, specialized agents can also help clients prioritize repairs and locate qualified professionals to complete home improvement projects. Utilizing the help of professionals to prepare for a sale can ultimately result in a selling price that reflects the top market value for the home.

Step Two: Packing and Sorting

Starting early is the key to successful packing and sorting. Before moving, years’ worth of treasures must be sorted. While planning for a move, items should be sorted into distinct categories: keep/move, give to family, donate to charity, and throw away.

The initial list of items to keep will likely be larger than the new space can accommodate, but moving professionals who specialize in working with seniors can offer advice about what to take and what to leave behind. Completing the difficult task of sorting before moving is essential for a successful transition.

Rick recalls clients who learned first-hand the importance of sorting through unnecessary belongings earlier rather than later. “I have seen clients move too much into the new residence and regret their decision. They end up paying to have these possessions packed and moved—only to realize that they have to dispose of them to make room in their new residence.”

There are professionals can help seniors make informed decisions about what to take to the new home. They take into account their client’s personal tastes, the financial and sentimental value of possessions, and the floor plan of the new residence. These professionals have helped countless senior clients make the move and are adept at addressing the emotional challenges inherent in sorting through a house full of belongings.

Step Three: Downsizing and Moving

Downsizing is one of the most time consuming and emotionally draining aspects of the moving process. After sorting, final decisions must be made about what to take to the new home. If floor plans of the new space are available, they should be used to help with planning. The new home is likely a smaller apartment or condo, so space limitations should be taken into consideration.

Moving day is the final step in the process. For many seniors, moving day is simple and rewarding due to comprehensive, customized real estate services provided prior to the sale of the house. On moving day, movers, shippers, and haulers can help with the physical aspects of the task of moving. Real estate professionals can recommend trusted companies to handle this work, as well as provide assistance with the job of unpacking and setting up the new home. From the initial assessment of the old home to settling into the new residence, with professional real estate assistance of Rick Giese can to help with every aspect of the moving process.

Get a FREE Copy of Rick's newest book: Downsizing Made Easy. Simplifying Your Life Should Leave You Overjoyed, Not Overwhelmed.

Challenges Become Choices

As the challenges of moving fade due to increasingly helpful professionals, seniors are left