In attending numerous real estate classes, I've had an opportunity to hear other Realtors® share what drew them to Real Estate as a career.  The majority of them have one thing in common...they love to help people.  Theologians call this having the gift of helps.  For me it was just one of the reasons I chose real estate as a career, but in reflection, I can certainly see it's one of the biggest reasons for staying in this business.

Today, I had an opportunity to speak with a lovely lady who has a coop in Laguna Woods Village (formerly Leisure World) in Laguna Woods, California.  She had found my name and credentials in the National Aging in Place Council's Seniors' Resource Guide.  She called to say that she needed to sell her place in Laguna Woods and she doubts she'll ever move back as she has created a new life in the valley of Los Angeles.  After getting married, she moved into her husband's home and her place has pretty much gone unused for the past couple of years.

What caught her eye about my services is that I offer a Real Estate Concierge Service.  What does that mean?  Well, for this lady who has accumulated many things that need to be given away, sold, discarded or passed on to family, finding someone who can choreograph it for her is a huge relief.  She is currently living about 60 miles away and is close to giving up her driver's license.

We will be meeting to discuss the preparation for getting her coop on the market.  When I meet with people who are in similar situations, it is so wonderful to see the relief in their faces when I'm able to give them direction and resources.  Typically, when I work with a family or an individual who needs to clear out their homes, it takes anywhere from one to three months to get the home ready for sale.  It is vey time-consuming, but the reward for me is that I know I've been able to help people move on to a different lifestyle.  Once the all the belongings have been removed, we can begin cleaning and making any necessary repairs.  The proceeds from an estate sale generally cover these costs.  Then, I bring in some plants and decorator items to "warm" up the place and we put it on the market for prospective buyers to see.  This way they're seeing the home at it's best advantage and have a better chance of visualizing themselves living there.

Assisting people and their families with lifestyle transitions is one of the parts of my real estate practice that I enjoy most.  As a senior myself, I understand that as we age, we are no longer able to function physically the way we once did.  And, we need to rely on others to provide the resources for things that in our younger years would have been a snap. 

If you, or someone you know needs assistance in getting their home, condo or coop ready for sale, please let them know that there is an easy way to handle it.  Just one phone call, and together we can begin to formulate a plan that will facilitate a gentle lifestyle transition.

Marlene Bridges, REALTOR®

800 777-1775 - Toll Free  ~ or ~  Text Me 714 745-2592

Orange County Real Estate Website

Orange County Seniors Lifestyles Blog

SRES - Seniors Real Estate Specialist®

CRS-Certified Residential Specialist®

President - Laguna Hills/Laguna Woods Chamber of Commerce 2007-2009

President Elect - Southern California Chapter Certified Residential Specialists® 2008 - 2009

Marlene is a highly experienced and respected South Orange County CA REALTOR® specializing in residential Real Estate and the sale of Homes and Condos in South Orange County, California and Saddleback Valley cities of: Laguna Woods, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Aliso Viejo, Mission Viejo.