Contrary to popular belief, downsizing is not the beginning of the end - you’ll find that many seniors find it a new beginning… a relief… a “don’t tell my kids but I wish we’d done it sooner” revelation. Not even kidding.
Of course, let’s be fair – it’s quite daunting when considering leaving your family home of twenty, thirty or fifty years. You’ve curated a museum of familial artifacts, memories, treasures and (you have to admit it) a lot of junk. It can be scary. It can seem risky; it is, after all, change. So many decisions to make. So many options to weigh. So many things you still want to finish on the honey-do list. Where to begin?
Listen… In speaking with hundreds of like-minded people who have transitioned to their new beginnings, the overwhelming advice is to get connected with a Senior Move Manager. Even better, a Senior Move Manger who is also a Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialist. These are experienced professionals dedicated to assisting with every aspect of your move by preparing a personal moving plan for you, your home and your possessions. They can also help with selling, buying and leasing – taking care of marketing your home, locating the best new home and all of the paperwork details in between.
Let’s take a deep breath; this is not something that is going to be done in a weekend. In most cases, it’s not even something that will be done in a couple of months. It’s kind of like the old adage, “The best way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time”. The schedule is one that works for you – progress-making and realistic. There will be organizing, decluttering, appraisals, estate sales, donations, shredding, packing, dealing with movers and much more.
Before you know it, you will be on your way into the right size place in the right neighborhood for your age, your physical health and your mental well-being. This may be a single-story bungalow, a condo, or even a Senior Living Community. Again, another bonus to partnering with a Senior Move Manager. They will get to know you, what makes you tick and what ticks you off. They ultimately know more options, have plenty of contacts and will even offer references from others like you while you’re weighing the possibilities. These are the folks that are going to hold your hand along the way.
It’s going to happen sooner or later; you are going to have to move. Even if you are certain it’s not time for you to leave your current home, it never hurts to start putting feelers out there and learning what the next steps look like.
As with all things, do your homework on the Senior Move Manager you choose. Look for NASMM members who are experienced professionals, bound by a pledge of integrity, committed to safety and ethics, and dedicated to continuing professional development. Make sure they are also Certified Seniors Real Estate Specialists. Ask what differentiates them from their competition, invite them to meet for coffee. The market for Senior Move Management is fresh, full of conveniences and definitely in favor of the client. Take advantage or at minimum, educate yourself!
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About the Author
Kristyn Drury is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, an Associate Broker, a Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Kristyn loves working with senior clients and their families to help them transition and meet their relocation goals.
Nicole Hyman is the Co-Founder of Real T Simplistic, a Realtor, a NASMM Certified Senior Move Manager, and a Seniors Real Estate Specialist. Nicole enjoys working closely with seniors and their families to create a stress-free transition whether moving, downsizing or just decluttering.
Real T Simplistic Senior Move Managers is a team of experts helping seniors and their families to make "Thoughtful Moves." because moving a lifetime is always more than just a move. Real T assists with every aspect of senior transitions, from decluttering and rearranging to age in place, to downsizing or relocating to a smaller home or assisted living community. Real T prepares a personal moving plan for each client, their home and their possessions. Real T is also uniquely able to help with selling the family home, and buying or leasing a new place -- taking care of marketing the home, locating the best new home and all of the paperwork details in between.