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Ideas for Seniors
The real estate market is soft this year, but well priced homes are still selling well. It is more important than ever to have an experienced realtor market your home, as we have access to Internet sites not usually available to homeowners. This is now the most important source of information for buyers; over 90% of buyers begin their search on the Internet. People in their senior years often have the bulk of their personal wealth invested in real estate. That is why it is so important to make wise decisions, whether you are selling your home, buying a replacement residence or making an investment. Helping seniors is a strength for Dorcas Miller. As a Senior Real Estate Specialist, I have the necessary skills and experience to answer your questions.
Nine Tips for Senior House Sellers
1. Make a move that will improve your lifestyle, perhaps by providing you more freedom, more security or more recreational opportunities.
2. Focus on the positive aspects of your move.
3. Start looking for your next home before you sell your current home.
4. Be open-minded! This is a new adventure.
5. Make multiple visits to your new community before you decide to move there permanently.
6. Choose a real estate agent that has experience in helping seniors buy and sell homes.
7. Choose a real estate agent that is knowledgeable, patient and straightforward. The agent should provide information, not directives.
8. If possible, make needed repairs and update your d้cor before you put your home on the market. A well decorated home in good condition will sell for a higher price.
9. De-clutter your home before it is shown to buyers. They want to see your home, not your stuff.
The MoveThese tips will help you prepare to downsize to a smaller home.
1. Sorting of your possessions and decision making are hard work. Keep your work sessions brief. Some days you will achieve less than you hoped for; this is ok.
2. Start with the small achievable tasks and cross them off your list as they are completed. You will gain confidence and build momentum to tackle the tougher decisions.
3. Focus on determining what to keep, not how to dispose of items not going. Use color codes so you don't have to make the same decisions twice.
4. Stop warehousing your children's possessions. Drop them in a box for them to take away the next time they visit.
5. For birthdays, Mother's Day, Father's Day etc., ask family for two hours of help in the basement or attic. You decide, but let them do the heavy lifting.
6. Selling items may be less important than knowing that the items are going to a good home. Are you an animal lover? The SPCA would live your old towels for animal crates. Goodwill, Big Brother and Big Sister are always looking for donations and it is tax deductible.
Your Realtor may also have suggestions. If further help is needed, there are a number of professional moving managers on the web that can provide help:
It's Your Move --- http://www.itsyourmoveinc.com/
Moving Mentor --- http://www.movingmentor.com/
Your Moving Partner --- http://www.yourmovepartner.com/
National Association of Moving Managers --- http://www.nasmm.org/
A Few Statistics:
More than 78,000,000 adults are over age 50.
There are more people age 65+ than teenagers in the marketplace.
Seniors account for more than 40% of total consumer demand in the U.S.
The net worth of seniors is five times the average.
Seniors spend $2 trillion on goods and services every year.
The housing market for seniors tops $100 billion each year.
Seniors own more than 80% of all money in saving accounts.
Your PetsFor many clients 50 and beyond, pets are beloved family members. Older seniors should consider making a pet plan and ask trusted friends or family to care for the pet in case you no longer are able to. A web site that may help can be found at http://www.estateplanningforpets.org/.
A few local housing resources for Seniors:
Acton
The Inn at Robbins Brook, Rt. 27, Acton, 978-264-4666
Concord
Newbury Court, 978-369-5155
Concord Park, Commonwealth Av., Concord, 978-369-5381
Bedford
Carlton-Willard Village, Old Billerica Road, Bedford, 781-275-8700
Stow
Meeting House at Stow, 978-897-3779
Sudbury
Springhouse Pond, 203 Nobscot, Sudbury. www.springhouse pond.com, 978-440-8007
Northwood, North Road, Sudbury
Call Dorcas Miller at 978-371-9990
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