For Seniors

The Upside of Downsizing: Part I—Build a Team

The US population aged 65 and over will jump an astounding 80% when the Baby Boomer generation retires (from 2010 to 2030). By 2030, the elderly will account for one-fifth of the total US population. The fastest growing segment of the US population are Americans age 85 and above.

Today, many families are geographically dispersed and adult children are often not able to help with the downsizing process due to distance, career and family obligations. Older adults making a transition have usually not moved in 30, 40 or 50 years and need to downsize considerably. The organizational and physical tasks associated with planning and implementing such a complex move can be absolutely overwhelming.

One of my favorite things to do as a REALTOR® is to help Baby Boomers/seniors through this process. I first evaluate the market value of their home in order to help them determine where they would like to go, whether it be a duplex like the Peach Creek Cottages, an apartment in a community like Merrill Gardens, a condo in a 55+ community or just a smaller home. Once that has been established, we begin the downsizing process, sometimes enlisting the help of family members and/or outside professionals such as estate sale companies or senior move specialists. The process of downsizing does not take place overnight and can be very emotional! The key here is that this can take TIME, so it is never to soon to start the process of downsizing, even if your intended move date is one year or more away.

Once the home has been pared down and it has been determined which items will go to the next destination, it is time to actually prepare the home for market, which can involve general contractors, a handyman and even a professional  Stager. And when it is time to move, the next call is to a reputable moving company who can safely move the belongings to their next home and/or a senior move specialist who can help them get situated in that new home!

As you can see, there are many people involved in the downsizing process. In light of this, wouldn’t it be wonderful to having a team of ethical, trustworthy professionals on your side, helping you through it all?

This is where The Upside of Downsizing® comes in:

The Upside of Downsizing® Conference helps boomers and seniors gain freedom by downsizing. It provides helpful ideas and insight about how to make a smooth and successful transition to a healthier and more manageable living environment. The conference is built on the principles of service, support and respect to others, and is designed to enrich the lives of boomers, seniors, and their families by promoting healthy, safe, and meaningful lifestyles.

This is a great place to meet elder law attorneys, professional organizers, senior move managers, estate sale companies, moving companies, contractors and representatives of various senior living communities. I will be an exhibitor as well, talking about ways that I have helped others through their downsizing journey.

The Upside of Downsizing® will take place at the Tacoma Dome on April 22, 2017. Early Bird Tickets are $25        ($35 after April 8th) and are available either online at www.upsideofdownsizing.com or by calling (206) 430-5249. Let me know if you are going and I’ll keep my eye out for you. I hope to see you there!

In the meantime, if you are considering downsizing or have parents who are considering downsizing either now or in the future, I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I can assist you through the process and help you build a team that will ensure a successful outcome. One of the best places to start is to get a free market analysis so that you can gauge what your home is worth, allowing you to start thinking about what your options are for your next home.

Please feel free to call me: (253) 381-7170 or send an email to: kristinn@windermere.com

Here’s to successful downsizing!