A potential seller was trying to decide on what to do with the home. Keep it ....or sell it and downgrade. The house has been paid off for years. The only decision was if it would be a better choice to sell and bank all that money or just live in the home without worrying what to do, where to go, boxes to pack and so on.

MANY years past and the seller still had no worries.

The potential seller was older now and had two grandchildren come back to live in the home. With the grandson doing the yard work and the granddaughter taking care of the cleaning there were still no worries.  The seller still worked and on vacations went to Las Vegas to have fun on the slot machines once a year.

A few more years past and the seller still had no worries.

At over age 80 the potential seller had one final decision to make. The economy was bad and the company that employed the potential seller was laying off people.  They were cutting hours and during all these decisions the potential seller went on a month vacation. Rested for a couple weeks and then.....  Off to Vegas!

After returning the potential seller called to see what the work schedule was for the week. NOT ON THE SCHEDULE???  What kind of B.S. is that after over 30 dedicated years to this company?  No speech or a face to face talk.  Wow. Is it because of the age thing? 

Was it time for the potential seller to worry?

In this case, the potential seller won a bunch of money in Vegas and paid the car off. The house is paid off and bills are minimal for the upkeep of the home. I have a talk with the seller and advise to keep the home and just live in a home and on a property that surely has been the private abode enjoyed for MANY MANY years.

We take the good and the bad in this business and not all potentials will turn into leads. We have patience and let the potential client decide when they are ready.  Or not. We listen and try and understand the needs of our clients to do the best possible for them.  Even if it's a family member.

My mom is going to be 83 years old and got laid off for the first time in her life. Why sell?  She has a roof over her head and is content in the home she has lived for 40 years come next summer.

WE LISTEN TO THEIR NEEDS.

And give the best possible advice.

I WILL sleep well for many nights to come.

 

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2013 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

 
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33 Comments on Senior Seller Becomes the Greatest Example for Change

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
08
2010
1,323,872 Points 35 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally

An outstanding post, thanks for sharing the story and your thoughts.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig
10:57pm • #14
OCT
09
2010
170,108 Points 3 Featured Posts

Amazing example for all of us.  Sorry she got laid off. Ex-employer is the loser.  Great she still has her home.

A relative of mine sold a house in the suburbs of a large city, moved to an in-town luxury apartment and rented. Loved it for 20 years, then when in his mid 80's it was sold out to a conglomerate, and the new terms made it impossible for him and his wife to continue living there. They had to move.  Sad. When you rent, you live under the landlord's terms.

Sarah
9:53am • #15
378,625 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally, 

Glad your mom is in good shape to have choices!  As well, it's our job to help all of our seniors deal with what is the best move for them, even when that is staying put!

All the best, Michelle
10:06am • #16
105,884 Points 4 Featured Posts Called Shot Master
Hi Sally, here is a recommendation. First would be a reverse mortgage on her current home. She can take the line if credit option and draw on the money as needed. Maybe 1,000 per month to supplement the income lost. There are many options. If she sells the home, let's say for 200k, she can down grade to something more manageable and do the Reverse Purchase. So let's say she buys a 100k property but only puts 40k down. She has 160k in the bank, less upkeep, and no mortgage. At least knowing these options exist might help her. Let me know if I can be of further assistance!
10:06am • #17
1,582,982 Points 429 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally - getting laid off is so ahrd, at any time, but perhaps even more difficult given the time invested. But perhaps your Mom will really enjoy her time and the home she owns.

Jeff
10:25am • #18
1,371,484 Points 151 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Oh Sally, so hard to hear that about your mother.  What a blow to the end of working for a company for so long!

If she has the same spirit as her daughter (which there is no doubt it was passed on to you!) I can only imagine what heart & soul she poured into the company.
10:50am • #19
183,714 Points 5 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp

Since this home has obviously served your Mom for so many years, it should be comfortable for more.

Just let her know that once my Mother and Mother in law retired, they've actually been busier than ever, NO TIME they tell me!  And they're having fun.
11:02am • #20
556,363 Points 11 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Hi Sally -- Your mom looks fabulous!  I'm glad she can stay put, sounds like a very comforting decision.  That is horrible on the way some companies choose to treat any employee, let alone a long-term employee, there is simply no excuse.

It's great when we can give a potential client advice that puts us in the vein of a trusted adviser, even when it's best for us to not have a new client.
11:24am • #21
284,203 Points 7 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

HI Sally:  What an inspriational woman!  She won't sit still, will she?  Sounds like my mother-in-law; God bless the, both - and you too for your excellent advice.  Julie
11:27am • #22
495,081 Points 60 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp

You might sit down with your mom with a knowledgeable local lender and find out about how a reverse mortgage might work for her.
12:04pm • #23
650,191 Points Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sorry to hear your mom was laid off -- had to be a shock for her --- all the best.
12:11pm • #24
1,122,795 Points 90 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Nobody likes to be laid off, at any age, I imagine. Congrats to her for taking it all in stride.
2:27pm • #25
312,271 Points 3 Featured Posts

Thanks for sharing your post with us.

Wishing you continued success.
2:37pm • #26
970,139 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lenn: She is accepting that she doesn't need to work and can make plans to enjoy the rest of her life. She is already doing excercises with some new contraption she bought...she is going to go golfing more and ... just do what she wants to.  She is one that has to keep busy so she surely has things up her sleeve :)

Bill:  New 'higher up'...they don't care

George...She can now enjoy!!!!

Jeff:  I know she will :)

For those that offered a suggestion of reverse mortgage....she already looked into that option...doesn't like it...and is not comfortable with the thought of not passing it down :)

 
3:13pm • #27
878,908 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Sally -good for you for listening advising and letting her make the decisions ..... so many would be pushing to make a decision based on what they thought was best but not necessarily best for mom or dad. 

In all that time the value continued to rise ..... it is now (when she is ready) a nest egg to carry her through the transition to a more leisurely lifestyle and beyond.
9:12pm • #28
970,139 Points 245 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Kathy...that's exactly where she is at!  Her home is definitely a great location...rim lot and she can piddle around in her yard....
10:05pm • #29
OCT
10
2010
778,935 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

What a touching story...your mom is so lucky to be so active at her age. I'm sure she will make he best of her new found time.  You got some pretty great genes there!
7:41pm • #30
OCT
11
2010
1,341,864 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Sally - this is indeed an amazing post about your mom! What a role model!!! And what a beauty!!!
8:41am • #31
OCT
20
2010
301,384 Points 55 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Sally - Your mom is a beauty!  She also has a beautiful daughter who understands what her needs are. I hope she will be blessed with good health and will continue to remain in her home for years to come.  I know from experience just how hard it can be for seniors to have to transition to new surroundings.  She should remain content if this is where she wants to be and can live independently!
1:50am • #32
NOV
02
2010
2 Featured Posts

Sally - I was going to suggest the reverse mortgage option as well.  Sounds like your mom is like my parents - it's unthinkable to take on debt without the intention of paying it off!  Kudos to her, may she live long and prosper! and to you as well!
11:24am • #33

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Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman RA CRS HAWAII Mililani Oahu Real Estate

Mililani, HI

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Century 21 Liberty Homes

Address: 95-221 Kipapa Drive Ste. E-3, Mililani, HI, 96789

Office Phone: (808) 625-1776

Cell Phone: (808) 375-1404

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Reading my blog will give you the human side of this Real Estate Industry Professional as well as allowing you to walk beside me through my writing about Hawaii Real Estate & our Local Area. As a resident of Honolulu County Hawaii for 42 years you will get a tour of a lifetime. Specializing in Hawaii Relocation Military VA Home Buyers you can be rest assured you will be in good hands. I LISTEN to YOUR needs and give you sound advice. Hawaii Relocations, Hawaii Military Relocations, Mililani Hawaii Real Estate, Living in Hawaii, Army Navy Air Force Marines in Hawaii. Read more at www.cheesemanhomes.com


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