Sibling rivalry is a type of competition or animosity among children, blood-related or not.

Siblings generally spend more time together during childhood than they do with parents. The sibling bond is often complicated and is influenced by factors such as parental treatment, birth order, personality, and people and experiences outside the family.

The above definition from Wikipedia pertains in many cases to the differing view points of children as to how to best care for their aging parents. I have had the honor to work with many families who have struggled through the process of helping parents transition from single family home living to a senior apartment or community. In the end, the majority of the siblings I work with have one goal and that is to make sure their parents or parent is safe and secure with the best quality of life. As in the above definition of sibling rivalry, there are complicated connections to brother and sister, and in those relationships confusion and sometimes disagreements may occur when trying to help mom and dad.

So many decisions have to be made when a home is no longer working for the older adult. Many of my seniors choose not to (more…)

We are all receiving mixed messages as to our Milwaukee-Metro real estate market. Some articles are positive, some negative, and some rather confusing! When contemplating a decision to sell or buy a home, one must have the best information available. Too often we listen to pundits and experts that are basing their advice on hearsay. Therefore, I want you to read a report I received from the Greater Milwaukee Association of Realtors (GMAR), based on actual number of listings and sold transactions for 2010. If you are seriously thinking of making a move, I would then suggest having a Senior Real Estate Specialist stop out and offer some ideas as to value specific to your home, as well as a plan of action. The more information you receive the better the odds of success!

Milwaukee Area Home Sales

Up 3.5% in December

Down 13.4% for 2010

January 10, 2011 – The roller coaster ride for the real estate market in Metropolitan Milwaukee ended 2010 on a high note, with December sales increasing 3.5% over December 2009, according to housing statistics released today by Metro MLS, Inc.

The monthly increase was due to (more…)

It is critical for all of us working with older adults that we don’t let our perceptions get in the way of fact. As an example, in my own experience, my opinions are somewhat influenced by my part in the moving process. The aspect I am most involved in, selling homes for seniors, shapes my perceptions of a senior’s view of moving. If a senior resists a move to a better lifestyle, their fear of not selling their home seems to be the cause for their procrastination.

Moving from a long time home to a senior community or apartment is and always has been truly a daunting undertaking for any older adult. Families of seniors are concerned for the safety and security for mom or dad, aunt or uncle.

Talking and listening to many service providers of senior services, I have found that the outstanding theme running throughout the senior community regarding moving is not the sale of there home! The issue causing procrastination and hesitation is the same as it has been for many years… (more…)

Times are changing and moving faster than I’ve seen in my 32 year career as a Realtor. There is an ebb and flow to the real estate market. It almost has its own pulse and mood swings. To be sure, one must be an observer to understand the market’s character and depth of soul.

I know this sounds like you and me. It sounds like the real estate market has a body and soul. It sounds like someone you might know. If you think about it long enough, any market is made up of one main ingredient…us!

To understand real estate is to understand the human psyche, because the market is made up of people who collectively move prices, commodities, and in the end the fears, hopes and desires of those who enter into it. If fear and uncertainty are dominant, prices may move quickly in either direction. When times are more predictable, prices stay more stable. Where is the real estate market today, and where is it headed?

First it pays to listen and listen with both ears! Listen to your neighbors, friends and family when talking about purchasing their first home, selling their long time home, or their plans to hold off or move forward. Listen to the (more…)

Just Say “Yes”!

When it comes to downsizing and moving, you do not want to attempt this process on your own! Each generation owns their own unique characteristics. “The Greatest Generation”, folks currently in their late 70’s-90 years of age, have been fiercely independent which makes them a group for all of us to emulate. “I’ll do it myself” has been their mantra throughout their lives. I find that this has worked well for them in the past, but when it comes to making a move from a long time home to a senior community, this can make the moving process difficult and sometimes impossible.

“I don’t want to bother my children, they have enough to do”. I’ve heard this so often and know that it is a noble intention on the older adult’s part, but trying to go it alone is a recipe for disaster in many cases. The best results occur when a dialogue is opened from the parent to the child and collaboration occurs from that open conversation. Together, the family can work together and decide what the family can do and what needs to be outsourced.

The good news is that there (more…)