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Senior Real Estate ~ Moving...How Do You Know When The Time Is Right For You?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Preferred Home Brokers 00402040

If you're a senior and considering a move, when is the right time for the right move... how do you know when it's  right for you?

No two of us are the same, nor is every situation the same, however there are some common situations many seniors share.  Listed below are some of the more typical reasons someone would decide to move,  possibly "downsizing" a living environment.  Some may appear to be somewhat tongue-in-cheek, yet they're also very real.

  • House is too large, too much to take care of, you'd like less responsibility, and have more time to enjoy yourself.   
  • To move closer to family, see more of your grown kids and grandkids.
  • To move further from the family, just too darn  much time spent taking care of the grandkids.   
  • Or, you need to move, to get the last kid out of the house.
  • Tired of continually fixing things...wanting to maintain your ndependence by not relying on family and friends for  repairs.
  • Maybe you prefer a more active social life, and would prefer to be around others.     
  • Health issues, tired of stairs,  need or prefer to have a single story home.
  • Financial considerations, possibly free locked-up equity for remaining years while also maintaining other investments. 
  • Divorce, it can happen at  any time of life. 
  • Spending the kid's inheritance and do something just for yourself for a change.  This is time for you  to enjoy the "some-days" of your life, you've earned it!

So if you've decided the time is right, explore some of your choices. Here are just a few for seniors to consider:

 Smaller home or condo, less to take care of and worry about.  

A "Golden Girls" home, sharing life with others.

A mobile home, financially affordable and little upkeep.

Travel time, on the road, in your motor home off to see the world.

Time for your Harley adventure on the road.  

You always wanted to live in a golf community.

Adult/senior condominium development, for a more social environment.

Perhaps assisted living, that is if health issues are a concern for your or family.

Move in with family, this could help you, or may help them.

Or... you may have another choice, if so we would love to hear from you!

As a senior, and at this time in your life 55+, no doubt you've worked hard and paid your dues over the years. Now that you're a senior you may have special concerns or needs in real estate. Lynda Eisenmannis a Senior Real Estate Specialist, SRES.  A SRES is a professional who has completed a series of educational requirements demonstrating expertise and knowledge when it comes to representing seniors in real estate. See more at Senior Real Estate Specialists to see how a SRES could help you.

Senior Real Estate SpecialistLynda is a Senior Real Estate Specialist® (SRES) who is experienced and knowledgeable in meeting specific needs of a senior, those who are 55+.  In addition, Lynda's three decades of real estate experience can make all the difference in the world to you or your loved one. Lynda has also created a senior real estate guide, if your 55 or 105 this guide is for you. Contact Lynda call or text Lynda directly, or email at Lynda@PreferredHomeBrokers.com

If you're a senior,... or you know of a senior who needs help with real estate, check out CaliforniaSeniorRealEstate.com for great senior real estate help.  

This is a first in Senior Real Estate articles by Lynda Eisenmann. Watch for the "Million Dollar Question" for Seniors When it Comes to Selling Your Home ~ Organizational Home Selling Help for Seniors ~ Things Some Seniors Don't Want to Talk About ~ Family Ties-Sharing the Decision vs. Going Solo ~  The Chicken or the Egg-Which Comes First? ~ Not Ready to Move, or "Over My Dead Body" ...Exploring Other Options ~ 

Comments (17)

Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate
Lynda - This is really great information. I am sure anybody reading it will maybe start to think to themselves whether it is time to make a move or not. You will be well equiped with your educational background to assist them.
Jan 06, 2008 12:55 AM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Lynda, excellent post. It is such a dilema for Sr's. on what to do. Many here move to Florida or AZ and then miss the grandkids and kids and come back, at least in the summer. So they have 2 homes as they hate the cold. Amazingly enough, Ann Arbor is considered a good place to retire, all the free stuff for Sr's and health care.
Jan 06, 2008 01:24 AM
Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon
Lynda - working with seniors is so much fun - thanks for sharing this excellent post - we do have a lot of snow birds here your info is right on.
Jan 06, 2008 01:35 AM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Lynda--Wow! So many choices for seniors today! It is such a difficult decision to make but when working with someone as knowledgeable and caring as you are, the transition would be a smooth one for any senior. Good information!
Jan 06, 2008 01:39 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Bill ~ Thanks for the comment, seems like seniors take longer than most to ponder the decision when the time is right to me, and that's fine, it's a huge decision especially the longer you've lived in one place or another.

Hi Missy ~ You're right about having two places, especially if they're still a couple.

Thesa ~ Snowbirds in your area too? For some reason I thought it was a little colder there.

Teri ~ Yes, lot's of choices to explore, depending on one's needs.

Jan 06, 2008 03:54 AM
Mana Tulberg
805 County Real Estate - Camarillo, CA
Real Estate Agent - Camarillo CA
Lynda, What a great post and full of information for all seniors. I know of some seniors who unfortunately made some real estate decisions without knowing all their options and the cost for them at as time of no income was just too high.
Jan 06, 2008 07:59 AM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Hi Mana ~ Good hearing from you, it's always about making informed decisions.
Jan 06, 2008 08:26 AM
Cyndee Haydon
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
727-710-8035 Clearwater, Beach Short Sales Luxury Condos &Homes
Lynda - great post - chocked full of info - in 1991 I actually helped started the Senior Helpline here with the Area Agency on Aging and wrote articles in the St Pete Times - our goal was to get this kind of info to the people who needed it and it was so hard to find. we alway liked the term "retirees" here because we have such active older adults here - I bet the same is true for you there. :-)  
Jan 06, 2008 02:35 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Hi Cyndee ~ Good hearing from you, and good info. It seems like today that some, yet not all are "retirees" seems like many are working longer now, including myself. No doubt you were able to provide great info for Tampa Beach, I'll need to brainstorm with you on this one.
Jan 06, 2008 04:23 PM
Kaye Thomas
Real Estate West - Manhattan Beach, CA
e-PRO, Manhattan Beach CA
Lynda- I like this article.. I do a lot of 55+ business.  There are a number of challenges as we grow older and certainly the biggest is where and how we will live..
Jan 06, 2008 06:03 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hey Kaye ~ Thanks so much, so nice to hear from you!

Jan 07, 2008 04:18 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Lynda - great to see you today. See you in Hawaii!

On another note, this is a terrific, sensitive, informative article for seniors. Tough decisions often have to be made and it can be so emotional for all involved. This is a winner.

Jeff 

Jan 08, 2008 12:55 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Aloha Jeff ~ Thanks so much for adding your commentary.
Jan 08, 2008 01:20 PM
Joanne Hanson
Coldwell Banker Colorado Rockies Real Estate - Frisco, CO
Summit County, Colorado Realtor

Oh my gosh Lynda, that means I am a senior too!  My hair turned grey very early and I haven't colored it in years.  I remember the guffaw from my husband when the waiter in Denny's asked me (at age 45) if my order was off the senior menu or the regular menu.  Now I really do qualify. 

Your photo looks like it was taken on Independence Pass, near Aspen, Colorado.  One of my favorite roads, but it is only open in summer, and for good reason.  It is very narrow and winding.

Great post on SRES and what you have to offer.  It is on my list of designations to get one day.

Jan 09, 2008 09:20 AM
Debbie Summers
Charles Rutenberg Realty - New Smyrna Beach, FL
Lynda... What a well written, informative post.  I'm going to be a "Golden Girl" someday!
Jan 11, 2008 11:11 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co
Hi Debbie ~ Thanks for the visit, I'm alreay there!
Jan 13, 2008 06:41 AM
Richard Lecinski
Long Realty Company - Oro Valley, AZ
Very good information for all especially for those of us that try and work with only the seniors
Jan 23, 2008 05:36 AM