Page 3 - Senior Living
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SENIORLIVING | HOUSING
  Have you found yourself with too much space in your home? Maybe it takes too long to clean or you’re just ready for a smaller, easier-to- maintain space.
Whatever your reason for downsizing, there are numer- ous benefits to simplifying your life with a smaller house. They can include the following:
• Less expensive mortgage or rental payments;
• Less space and yard to maintain; and
• More convenient location for your needs.
So if you’re ready to sell your home and invest in a smaller space, call a local real estate agent to help you through the process. They will be able to advise you on the next steps necessary to make your transi- tion successful. The National Association of Realtors even offers a special designation for agents trained to help seniors during this life transition. Look
for the Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation.
WHAT’S YOUR PLAN?
Downsizing can be a diffi- cult process to go through without a proper plan. That’s because it typically involves selling or donating assets that may be important to you, but that may not have a space in your new home.
Your house is obviously the largest piece you’ll have to be ready to give up. Putting your home on the market can be an emotional experience, espe- cially if you have lived there
for a long time. Knowing that your finances and day-to-day living will improve with a smaller space can help you overcome some of the emo- tions connected with downsiz- ing.
Here are a few steps to con- sider when making your plan:
Talk with a Realtor. Discuss your intentions with a local Realtor to get an understand- ing of how much your home will sell for on the market. This will help in setting the budget for your next home.
Talk with your family. If you’re looking to shed some
extra materials, equipment or other assets, chat with your family members first. They may be able to take some of it off your hands, saving you the trouble of finding ways to off- load it.
Talk with your friends. Do you have any trusted friends who have went through simi- lar experiences? Pick their brain to make sure you’re not missing any key information for your decision-making pro- cess. People who have down- sized in the past can be valu- able sources for you during your research and planning.
Tips for Downsizing
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