We love our homes! Just think back to when you purchased your very first house. Feel the emotions of excitement and the thrill of leaving an apartment for the independence of home ownership. For many, that journey may have begun 30-60 years ago. Those memories are an important component of our life histories. The houses worked for us as long as you kept up with the maintenance both inside and out. But what has changed are the owners of the home!

Over the years our surroundings become a part of us. We sometimes feel that our home and neighborhood are synonymous with who we are and how we view our place in the world. We know the neighbors, the stores, the restaurants and our places of worship, which in most cases are within a short distance of our homes. Thinking of venturing out from our homes to a new environment is daunting. The number one fear holding most of us back from a move to a new apartment or community is the (more…)

Last month’s article dealt with the question of selling your home ‘as is’ or fixing/updating the property prior to marketing the property. The answer requires proper pricing and dealing with structural defects if selling ‘as is’. If you are looking for the best possible price, then updating should be done throughout the home. Proper preparation must involve an expert such as a real estate professional to help decide which path is best for you.

This month’s article deals with the interactions between child and parent when confronted with the parent’s home sale, after many years in the home. I will discuss the observations I have made after guiding hundreds of families through the process of selling.

The call comes in and on the other end is a stressed voice asking for a sympathetic ear. The voice asks for direction and hope in a situation that many times may feel (more…)