We have an insurance plan, we have a financial plan, but how many of us have a housing plan? Yes, a housing plan! At my seminars, I’ve asked this question to hundreds of senior home owners, and invariably the response is a blank stare. We leave one of the most important aspects of our lives to chance. We wait for circumstances to dictate when we will make our next move. Unfortunately, circumstances can change quickly in the form of health changes or financial loss. It would be a blessing if we could predict the precise moment when and if these changes would occur.

Since most of us do not have the gift of viewing the future , we must plan accordingly. We should take an honest look at our current and future needs by taking inventory of what our needs are both physically and mentally. Many of us are in a two story home, with the laundry in the basement. Yes, exercise is a good thing, but if our knees are feeling the pressure of stairs, and we begin to dread the ‘journey’ to the second floor or basement, it may be time to think of a change. If it is getting harder to navigate when taking a shower or bath it may be time to think of a change. If driving at night is becoming an odyssey, and your favorite restaurants and stores are no longer in your neighborhood, it may be time to think of a change. If the home is too large, and many rooms are being used for storage facilities, it may be time to think of a change. If you feel like a prisoner in your own home, and you are not interacting with others and you are feeling isolated, it may be time to think of a change.

These are just some of the symptoms you may be experiencing. If you sense that your home is (more…)

When making the most important decisions of our lives, who do we count on to give us the very best advice?  Think back, look over the course of your life and highlight the moments when decisions had to be made. Does there seem to be a pattern as to who helped you the most with the most difficult decisions you were impelled to make?

The decision to move to a new home, whether it would be a senior community, a senior apartment complex, a condominium, or another single family home, may be one of the most difficult thought provoking times of your life. My experience in working with thousands of seniors who have lived in their homes for many years, has led me to the belief that one needs to consult with others who can give objective and intelligent advice when making important life changing decisions.

When looking back at your life, you relied on many people for advice. Some had an agenda, some cared about you but too many past scars or negative experiences tainted their advice given. Some didn’t fully grasp the significance of the decision from your perception. But there were a very few that always seemed to be correct in their predictions. They seemed to have that extra sensory perception as to what the outcome of your decision would be. That is the person or people you need to express your feelings and desires and wishes as to your possible move to new housing.

Once you have established who these people are, these pundits, you should write down a list of (more…)

You have put much thought into making the decision to move and now is the time. However, every article you read puts doubt and fear in your mind as to the success of obtaining a sale on your home. Most authors portray a bleak real estate market with no mercy on would be sellers. What to do!

In my thirty years in real estate, one fact is clear. Homes will sell in any market! I sold properties in the late seventies and early 80’s when interest rates topped 17%! Can you imagine presenting a potential buyer with that kind of impediment? Yet, we sold almost as many homes as the years prior. The reason is that there will always be purchasers of homes as there is more to owning a home than just the financial implications. Remember when you bought your first home? What were the reasons that lead you to signing that offer to purchase? For most, the reasons for purchasing involve providing a safe environment for the family. A home represents comfort, peace, and independence as well as a feeling of control of one’s future payments and environment.

Interest rates currently are still relatively low. However, the negative press has stirred up the feelings of uncertainty about future values as well as the fears of foreclosure. So many buyers are on hold. This means there are more homes on the market than purchasers. Supply and demand tell us that with over supply come (more…)

In my 27 years working and serving seniors, I have heard a story time and time again. This is a story of sadness, fear, hope, and happiness. All of these feelings describe the story of Martha. Martha called me a few years ago. She sheepishly asked if I would stop over and discuss the possibility of selling her home. I could sense that Martha was reluctant to call and had gotten up the nerve to dial my number. I set up an appointment for the next day.

She came to the door, and we introduced each other. Martha was a proud, kind woman in her mid seventies. She began her story by sharing the loss of her husband who had passed away five years prior to my visit. ‘My husband handled everything! He took care of the finances, the home maintenance, the every day challenges of home ownership. I loved my home’. Martha had lived in her home for over 50 years, and loved her neighbors, the stores, the restaurants, and most of all (more…)

One of the most frustrating experiences I’ve had over my 28 years in the real estate business has been the misrepresentation of facts as to the strength or weakness of home sales. Many of us turn to our trusted newspapers to feel the pulse of the market so that we may time the sale of our home to maximize the amount received after their home sells. For over 40% of all seniors, the proceeds from the sale of their home are their greatest asset. Best of all most or all of the proceeds are free from capitol gain taxes ( a married couple is exempt up to $500,000 in gain, and a single homeowner is exempt up to $250,000 in gain) with the requirement that the home has been the primary residence for at least 2 of the last 5 years.

The real estate market just like most other commodity markets are subject to ebbs and flows, ups and downs, depending on many factors. On many occasions, the market has slowed down by (more…)