Seniors Biggest Challenge in Downsizing

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 Outdated kitchens and baths, carpet and wallpaper that is out of style and other similar issues can be overwhelming and hard for the prospective senior seller to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

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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

Friday, December 27, 2013

Is It Time To Have “The Conversation” with Your Aging Parents.

If you have never had the conversation, though, the thought could lie heavy on your mind. How in the world will you bring it up in the midst of holiday tradition? How can you approach the subject with parents in a way that is not threatening, but that opens the door to getting it right?

And before you stop reading this because the subject is too difficult, please know that there is no better time than now to start the conversation. Now is not the time to put our heads in the sand and hope someone else will have this conversation with our parents, or hope somehow miraculously that we just won’t have to talk about it. The reality is that if we don’t, there is a good chance that when the time comes when our parents really need the help, we will be scrambling for a plan.

So let’s assume you are seriously considering starting a dialogue about health and long term planning with your family as you gather to celebrate tradition. You are probably stressing a bit about how in the world to approach the subject without it being really awkward and off-putting. Let’s look at some points that might help you on your way:

Expect resistance. Resistance will likely come from your parents, but it could also come from other family members who have not been clued into the need for the talk. And what do you do with this resistance if it does emerge? You acknowledge it. It will take some people more time than others to get into the swing of talking openly about this issue, but you can bet that if you resist their resistance (whether overt or subtle), any discussions on this subject may take longer and be a lot more painful.

Educate yourself. Take some time to research the aging process, and what experts recommend should be included in discussions. You will want to understand concepts such as Living Wills, powers of attorney, long term and residential care, and financial planning. You will also want to have some knowledge of resources in your parents’ community, including senior activities and alternative transportation availability.

Evaluate current issues that need to be addressed. The current physical, mental, and financial health of your parents will play a massive role in the direction and urgency of this discussion. If there is an issue that needs to be addressed, you will need to thread that into your conversation about the plan in the short term. Consider, for instance, how you as a family might address the needs of a parent whose eyesight is failing, and whose ability to safely drive a car is or will soon be in question? How are you going to help them feel they can maintain their independence with the keys gone? What if your mother seems to be exhibiting symptoms of mild dementia? How are you going to plan for her need to continue to cook the holiday turkey while making sure she does not leave the stove on?

Bring other family members into the process. Give other family members a heads up that you will be broaching the issue; give them an opportunity to raise any concerns of course, but do make sure that you are all on somewhat of the same page before you start the discussion with them in the same room. This is not a time to do battle with each other in front of your parents, but rather to rally for the sake of the family. On the other hand, you don’t want it to appear to be a “conspiracy” pitting parents against children.

Begin the discussion by speaking from your heart. Your parents are going to be able to embrace this idea now and moving forward if they hear from your heart first. You are their child, and you are concerned. Parents will tend to not think of themselves first (doesn’t matter how old you are – you are still their baby); if they truly believe that this is important to you they are more likely to listen.

Listen. The importance of your actively listening to your parents throughout this discussion cannot be overstated. Just because their bodies are aging (we only just need to look at ourselves to understand), does not mean your parents’ need for being able to make choices in their lives has diminished. In fact, many elders, in living through the increasing limitations brought on by not being able to move as well as they did, will desperately resist anything that appears to restrict other choices they still can make. So listen, and incorporate their choices into any recommendations about next steps. Keep in mind some of the critical issues that will be front and center, including your parents’ financial security, and need for independence, relationships, and, of course, peace of mind.

Rick Giese associate broker and certified (SRES) Seniors Real Estate Specialist is also here to help you. We will be expanding on the topic of having this conversation with aging parents over the next few months, but we are also here if you would like to call to chat. Call Rick at 586-242-3100 or email him at rick@rickgiese.com Rick can direct you to professionals who advise you on financial considerations, for instance, and if the time comes when you might need our services in the real estate and senior housing fields, we are here to sit down with you to develop a great plan.

Remember: There is no better time than now to start planning for the eventuality that your parents are going to need you to help them plan for the future. Preparing now will help you and your family sustain and possibly enhance quality of life for everyone, as you all enjoy family milestones together with the peace of mind that comes with having a plan that works for everyone.

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.

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

Consistently ranked as one of Southeastern Michigan's associate brokers of Seniors Real Estate Help, Equity Sales and Short Sales. 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

Sunday, December 15, 2013

How to Get a Home or Condo Ready before a Probate Sale in Southeastern Michigan

There is nothing more satisfying than helping a family sell their loved ones estate property. I know, it doesn’t take much to make me happy, but I am who I am. Over the past 27 years I have developed a system to sell Southeastern Michigan probated homes that works really well!

1. Look at a home and see if there are valuables that are worth selling in the. Many homes are left with enormous amounts of personal property, sometimes with value and sometimes not. For example crappy cars have value, but beautiful over stuffed furniture may not be worth as much as you think.

2. If there is some things of value to sell in the I usually recommend calling an Estate Sale Company to come and take over the job of selling the personal property they believe will sell. I have a couple of like and have worked with in the past 27 years. Give me a call and I’ll be more than happy to give you a couple of recommendations. They sell the personal property usually over a 3 day open house style sale or by a week to 10 day online auction. They deduct their percentage and fees, and send a check to the estate or to the probate attorney to hold in the trust account until the estate disburses to the heirs.

3. The next step is to separate personal items such as clothes and call Second Hand Rose in Mt Clemens they are always looking for clothing and personal items for the less fortunate in the Macomb County area.

4. Next are items that can be donated like kitchen items, walkers, furniture that does not sell. Organizations like Goodwill and Saint Vincent De Paul will come and pick these items up.

5. After everything that can be sold, donated, or recycled is gone then call for a trash bin hauler. Give me a call; I have couple of companies that we have worked with through the years. Since it costs money to haul away trash I only do it after all other ways of disposing of unwanted property have been exhausted.

6. Once the Macomb County Michigan probate property is free of personal property and debris, the process of making it look as good as possible for the real estate sale can begin. Remember my job is to get the most money the market will pay in the shortest amount of time, with the least amount of hassle to you.

So, if you have an Estate, Probated or Trust property that is filled with stuff? It may seem overwhelming to most. Many seniors who lived through the depression maintained the habit of never throwing anything out, because they may need it later attitude. If you are the personal representative for the estate of a home in Probate in Macomb County, Michigan you may feel overwhelmed, don’t be. You can use my system (or hire me and let me organize the sale of your probated home and the contents from start to finish); it becomes a much less daunting task.

I can help you with the sale of the probated property as well as its contents that the estate heirs don’t want or don’t want to be bothered with. Give me, Rick Giese a call at 586-242-3100 or email me at rick@rickgiese and I can give you a FREE Market Analysis of the property. And if you are interested we can give you a complete A to Z quote, how much is the personal property worth that’s in or on the property. The cost to get rid of unwanted items and or rubbish removal. As well as what will the probated real estate sell for and how long will it take.

Sellers who have move in condition properties that are priced right are finding their homes selling quickly for top dollar, and many are having the problem of multiple offers to choose from.

No matter your situation, visit 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 ...and we might even have a buyer waiting for it!

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.

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

Consistently ranked as one of Southeastern Michigan's associate brokers of Seniors Real Estate Help, Equity Sales and Short Sales. 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

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Today Rick Giese (SRES) Explains The Difference Between Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loan

Reverse Mortgage: Makes monthly payments to you but, you must be at least 62 years old to qualify. Home Equity Loan: You borrow against the equity in your property. But must be paid back over time. No age limit.

The reverse mortgage program

is not as "new" as people might think. While it wasn't as well known or sought after as today the first program of its kind began in the 1960's where it remained in relative obscurity until the Department of Housing and Urban Development (http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD) introduced the federally-insured Home Equity Conversion Program in 1990.The reverse mortgage continued to gain attention in 1996, when Fannie Mae launched the Home Keeper.

A reverse mortgage still continues to be a source of cash flow for seniors looking to supplement their retirement or add on to their fixed income. As a retirement planning tool, the reverse mortgage program offers a line of credit option, which allows the borrower(s) control over how much (and when) the funds are used.

So what makes a reverse mortgage different and, essentially, more beneficial to retiring homeowners than a home equity loan?

1. A home equity loan does require monthly payments while a reverse mortgage does not. For example, if you are looking for a source of increased cash flow that will allow you to cover your debt and (maybe) take a vacation or two, then a home equity loan is not for you. It will further add to your debt and stop you from enjoying retirement as you worry about how you will make payments on this extra monthly expense, which must be paid at the end of a fixed period.

2. When a reverse mortgage becomes due, your heirs aren’t financially responsible for repayment. For example, if you pass away, but took out a home equity loan, the loan transfers to your heirs who will have to pay back the loan, plus interest. With a reverse mortgage

, when the loan becomes due, the primary used for the reverse mortgage is sold and the equity is used to pay off all the fees and the lender. Any difference is given to the heirs.

3. As a non-recourse loan, you never owe more than the value of your home with a reverse mortgage. A home equity loan can become difficult to pay, especially as the interest rises. With a reverse mortgage

, even if the loan surpasses the value of your home, the borrower is not responsible for repaying the loan in full. You aren’t financially responsible for the difference, neither are your heirs.

Rick Giese is a (SRES) Seniors Real Estate Specialist in Southeastern Michigan, in my 27 years of real estate experience. I have meet a couple of reverse mortgage specialist who look out for their clients.

Give me a call Rick Giese at 586-242-3100 and I’ll be more than happy to refer you to the reverse mortgage specialist that will fit your needs or situation best. We do not pressure those who inquire.

Be sure to like us and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeniorsRealEstateOfMacombMichigan

Contact
Rick Giese (SRES) 586-242-3100