Monthly Archives: September 2020

Steps for Boomers Relocating To More Desirable Locations

As the wealthiest generation in America, baby boomers are starting to wrap up their roles of ‘parents’ and begin their new stage as ‘grandparents.’

seniors can be helped by professional move managers to ease the downsizing and de-cluttering The multi-bedroom family home boomers have been holding onto for decades now seems empty and quiet, and some boomers have felt the effects of loneliness as the kids begin to leave the nest.

Downsizing is not only the perfect solution for couples seeking smaller, comfier homes — but it also may be the solution for a housing supply shortage of detached homes. Since boomers have been encouraged to stay in their homes as long as possible — millennials are finding it very difficult to find detached, single-family homes on the market. 

If you’re a boomer looking to downsize in favor of a more desirable location, follow these tips for success!

Don’t be afraid to start your moving endeavors now

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many prospective buyers and sellers anxious about starting or continuing with their real estate plans. However in HomeLight’s Q2 survey, realtors reported a heavy increase in buyer and seller activity since May. 

Worried your home won’t receive any attention in the market? In actuality, buyer demand remains strong. So strong, in fact, that the majority of real estate agents (60%) in Home Light’s Q2 survey believe the biggest challenge facing the 2020 market is the lack of supply to meet demand. If you put your home on the market now, chances are you’ll have plenty of buyers knocking on your door. 

Vice versa — boomers looking to downsize will find it much easier to compete in the buying process as well. According to the survey, 44% of real estate agents believe the top reason motivating their clients to move is the need for more space — especially as the COVID-19 pandemic keeps the nation at home all day..

This is good news for all boomers seeking to move from their large family home into something more comfortable. You won’t have to compete with the swarm of buyers looking for large homes, and you’ll be selling exactly what those other buyers are seeking. 

How senior moving specialists are key to downsizing

Relocating isn’t all fun and games. Along with the fun of touring new homes and decorating a new abode comes the challenges of finding a reliable moving company, prepping your current home for market, packing and unpacking your belongings, and picking a dependable real estate agent.

Set yourself up for success by accepting the help of senior moving specialists. This will help you turn what’s supposed to be one of the most stressful processes in your life into a seamless, pain-free experience.

There are tons of behind-the-scenes tasks that need to be completed before and after the move, but reliable organizing services and relocation specialists take care of them all — so you can simply relax and imagine all the new memories you’ll create in your new home!

Presenting a clear home for virtual or in-person showings

Looking to get the most for your home during the selling process? Whether you’re going to allow in-person showings or conduct most of your business virtually, there are 3 main projects you should focus on: 

  • Deep Cleanfind a sr. move manager for organizing and de-cluttering to complete a senior downsizing
  • Declutter
  • Depersonalize

While cleaning your home might seem like an obvious step in your selling process, a home that’s been lived in for many years is going to need serious decluttering. Over the years, your closets have been filled to the brim, all your storage spaces are packed with clothes you haven’t worn in years, the fridge is decorated with your children’s kindergarten art, and let’s not even mention the boxes filled with personal mementos in the basement

While daunting, decluttering can increase a home’s asking price by 3-5%. Even storage spaces and closets need to be sorted and organized to receive the most competitive price for your home. Prospective buyers are always looking for extra storage, so — if the closets are overflowing — buyers won’t be impressed. 

Thankfully, organizing services can help. Boomers aren’t as young as they once were, which means taking on huge challenges — like decluttering a home that’s been lived in for over a decade — isn’t such a simple task. A Clear Path can transform all the daunting tasks of moving into a clear and simple plan, so contact us today!

Using a Checklist before downsizing will create an easier less stressful move

5 Rules for downsizing

Downsizing for seniors is a stressful and laborious task. Sorting through a household full of possessions and a lifetime of memories is quite a daunting task. It is even more challenging if you need to downsize unexpectedly because of health concerns or other emergencies. Many seniors find it difficult to part with items they do not need. Here are five rules for retirement downsizing with senior move managers.

1- Develop a Plan

A professional move manager will help your downsizing with helpful checklists.A good rule of thumb is to prepare for a move in advance and not wait until the 11th hour to start making plans to move. You should make plans before you list your home or at the first sign of failing health. It is advisable to consult a senior move manager to help you make an efficient plan.

Start with the three main rooms: the living room, kitchen, and family room. These are the most cluttered rooms because they are used daily and have a high emotional value. Separate all the items in four piles- things you are going to keep, items you are going to donate, items you are going to give to your family members, and items you will throw away. After you are finished with these rooms, work outwards to garages, attics, and shades.

It is also good to create a system of downsizing. Some of the standard systems are de-cluttering, donating, and documenting. A senior move manager can help you employ a method of downsizing that is best suited for you.

2- Consider the New Space

It does not matter if you are moving to an assisted living facility, a small apartment, or a family member. You need to develop a plan of where items will go according to the available space. First, determine the amenities that you are going to need. What security measures or physical needs will you require. You should plan your new space based on these accommodations.

It is also essential to consider size. If you are moving from a large house to a small apartment, you will have to do a significant downsizing. In this case, you should consider the most critical aspects of your lifestyle. For example, if you like writing, do not get rid of the desk. Make room for things that matter in your life. It would help if you considered hiring a storage unit for essential items that may not fit in your new space.

3- Eliminate Duplicates

This is very common in the kitchen where you may have several stockpots, different cookie sheets, a handful of spatulas, and so on and so forth. Since you are reducing clutter, you can do with one kind of everything. If you do not feel like donating kitchen pieces you feel are emotionally valuable to you, consider giving them to your child or grandchild.

4- Donate

The best way to make the most out of precious items is to donate them. Donating gives you a feeling of relief, knowing that you are giving back to society. Things like civil war memorabilia are best suited for a school or museum. You may even receive special recognition for legacy gifts in the form of plaque and tax deductions. Items that will Donatoins are a great way to help downsizing with a professional move managernot fetch much at a yard sale should also be donated where they will be more helpful, like at a children’s camp.

5- Make Some Extra Cash Through Sales

Nowadays, it is easy to sell things yourself through online sites such as eBay and Craigslist. There are also Smartphone apps that enable you to make quick sales. Yard sales are a fast way to sell items, but the prices are usually low. On the other hand, Craigslist has a broad audience, and you have a good chance of getting more for your items. Consider consignment for handbags, furniture, and unnecessary accessories. They have reasonable prices and you will be able to get rid of substantial items like furniture. If you are not handy with computers, you can request for the help of your children or grandchildren who may be more computer-savvy and will efficiently market your items through popular online platforms.

In Conclusion

Moving as a senior can be depressing if you are unprepared or cannot let go of your possessions. Many senior people struggle with sorting out what they do not need because they are fond of all their memorabilia and precious items. In such situations, it takes the expertise of a senior move manager to help with downsizing. Some of the rules of retirement downsizing may not be easy to agree with, but they are necessary and help to declutter your home before you transition into a new home. Make sure you consult a senior move manager in advance to help you adjust to the prospect of downsizing and moving to your new home.