The Key to Downsizing
Start early. I could leave it at that and you might just be good to go but let me expand on this point. One of the biggest challenges that many of our Senior Citizens are concerned with is,
“What the hell do I do with all my stuff?”
There are a number of Realtors who deal with this hurdle almost daily and some are better equipped than others in this very particular niche (market.) I myself carry a special designation called the Senior Real Estate Specialist. Let me assure you that working with seniors is very different from working with first time buyers, as just one example. Younger people travel with very little “stuff,” and the seniors, in many cases, can border on being hoarders. One Specialist remarked comically, I thought, the only difference between a collector and hoarder was the quality of the merchandise. In the end “all” of it has to get sorted out and someone is going to have to deal with it. And for the record, NO ONE wants to deal with it. It is a royal pain in the neck for all parties concerned.
Not to worry. Relief is on the way. Gee, that almost sounded like an antacid commercial. As we go through this part of the process, sharp agents who work on this side of the business will integrate other service providers, some of whom are known as Elder Transition Consultants. These professionals supply additional services that fall in line with many of the other considerable issues of the Senior client in transition. One of the phrases you will hear me use frequently is that buyers and sellers need to “get their ducks in a row.” The sales transaction is a process (as opposed to an event) regardless of which side of the equation you are on, and for the Senior client, they simply have more ducks that they need to get lined up. That is why, this blog post starts out with the admonition: Start Early. So if you are thinking of making the big move, “down” regardless of what you might be projecting for a reasonable closing date, give yourself at least an extra 3 months. Do this. Do it, If for no other reason just so you and your trained professionals can figure out what you will be doing with most of your stuff.
Suggestion: if you think you will be able to sort your things out for yourself (by yourself) add at least 3 more months just to deal with the emotional impact of the fact that ultimately,
“You can’t take it with you!
Check out our blog at:brendan.husvarre.com
Hey, I wrote the book on Real Estate, literally.”
Author Brendan J. Cunningham is a New York Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker, lead of the Platinum Team at HusVar Real Estate, as well as an accomplished writer, Shakespearean trained professional actor, and podcaster.
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