So many folks today are living in that uncomfortable position on the fence not sure exactly whether they should stay in their current home or move into a senior community, an apartment, or a condominium. Living day to day with uncertainty can take away from the freedom and independence one should enjoy in retirement years.

Taking a realistic look at your current environment is the first step. It is vitally important to be truly honest with yourself when assessing your current needs for comfort and security. One should not only look at your current situation, but try to project 5-10 years ahead, taking into account one’s age and future needs. The goal is to avoid a crisis situation where a move is made during a traumatic time in your life. Too many folks wait until a change in health occurs or a loss of spouse. Decisions are then made in haste, and too often by children or relatives on behalf of the senior. When I ask my senior participants at seminars, would you want your children deciding where and how you will live, almost 100% shutter at the thought! It is not fair to the senior or to their children.

Therefore, early planning and education is the best path to follow when preparing for a move to new housing. After you have assessed your current and immediate future needs, begin educating yourself as to housing available. There is a great resource called Senior Resources Magazine, which describes most of the senior communities and apartments available in the four county Milwaukee-Metro area. There are descriptions of each facility as well as amenities offered. Visit some of the communities or apartments in the location of your choice. You will be surprised at the comfort and security you will sense at the majority of the communities you visit.

Next, have a Senior Real Estate Specialist visit and inform you as to the current value of your home. The Realtor will also examine the major components of your home and alert you to obvious structural issues. The Realtor is in no way an inspector, but may advise you to obtain a report from a basement or roof inspector to assess the condition of such areas. It is fine to sell `as is’ but it is better to address any serious issues prior to selling your home. The Senior Specialist will also give you tips on downsizing and provide names of trusted service providers you may need.

Talk with a Senior Planner or senior financial consultant to know how much you can afford for new housing based on the proceeds from your home as well as other assets. This will be extremely valuable when looking at housing.

Lastly, consult with your trusted advisors. Let them know about your current housing situation, and let them know about your concerns about the future. They will be invaluable in guiding you in the right direction. They will have your best interests at heart, and will help you to gain insights into your current situation. Remember, freedom and independence are always your top priorities as to the environment you choose. You deserve the best life has to offer!

Tags: current environment, freedom, independence, inspector, planning, structure

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 5:00 am and is filed under Should I Move?. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.