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
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.
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