It happens to many families: after a lifetime of kids, a lifetime of memories, and a lifetime鈥檚 worth of stuff, you are suddenly faced with a space that feels too large and cluttered. Sure, your house was the perfect place to raise your family, but do you still need a three or four-chair dinner set? How about that clean, empty bedroom you are no longer using? If you suddenly find yourself with more space than you need, downsizing may be a good idea.

There are many benefits to downsizing your space once the kids leave the nest. First, downsizing helps you avoid overspending on your space. Even if your mortgage is paid off, you are still paying taxes and maintaining the house, and those costs can add up quickly. As you approach retirement, you may welcome an opportunity to reduce your outgoing expenditures.

Second, maintaining and navigating a large, multi-story home will only become more difficult as you age. Downsizing allows you to spend your golden years in a space that is more suited to your needs, both in terms of your health and mobility and the cost of maintenance.

Whether you are in the midst of downsizing or still trying to decide if now is the right time to make the move, these tips can make the process much easier.

Move When You Can

Perhaps downsizing seems far away. After all, it has only been a few years since your kids left home鈥攁nd you are still young and healthy! Downsizing while you are healthy and active is far better than waiting until you are afflicted with physical ailments and forced to leave home. You will have a much easier time packing up your things and moving when you are feeling up for the challenge!

In fact, downsizing does not have to be about your health or physical abilities at all. For many, it is a chance to experience a new and different lifestyle. Owning a home ties you to one location and mode of living (unless you have the resources for vacations or multiple homes). Maybe you moved to the suburbs back when the kids reached school age. Would you like to move back to the city? Have you always dreamed of moving to a beach house or a small town in the mountains? If you set a goal beyond just getting a smaller home, downsizing can be your opportunity to embrace a new chapter of life.

Move with the Future in Mind

When you began your search to find your current home, you likely had a list of wants for your realtor. Perhaps you wanted a home in a good school district, near parks and other 鈥渒id-friendly鈥� amenities.  Now, as you contemplate a local or perhaps a to a warmer climate in search of a downsized space, it鈥檚 time to revisit that checklist. Consider your relocation desires with your newfound freedom and personal preferences taking precedence.

Of course, while you might be excited to begin your life as young, active empty nesters, it is important to keep the future in mind as you find your dream home. Research shows that want to 鈥渁ge in place鈥� rather than move to more accessible living arrangements, so your downsized home might see you through all the stages of your seniorhood. If you are in good health, you do not need to buy a place as if you are severely disabled 鈥� but do consider items that will make it easier to age in place. Look for a single-story home or a condo in a building with an elevator rather than a third-floor walk-up.

Downsize Your Space 鈥� and Your Stuff

Once you find the perfect home, it is time to begin the downsizing process. Moving to a smaller space means keeping only the stuff you need, particularly if you are moving from four (or more) bedrooms to one or two. As you prepare to move, you will find countless pieces of furniture, d茅cor, and general clutter that you can easily live without. Check with your kids for items they want to keep (in their homes, not yours!) and sell, donate, or dispose of the rest.

To simplify the process, take inventory of everything in your home and break it down into three lists:

• Necessary items (furniture, cooking supplies, etc.)
• Sentimental items you want to keep
• Everything else

Give your family and friends the first pick of the third list (without pressuring them), then decide to sell or donate everything else.

Start with the least accessible items in your home 鈥� stuff in the attic, basement, or closets. Starting there will let you get rid of thirty-year-old clothes, spare toasters, and camping equipment that has not been used since the Reagan administration. Once you have caught the bug for getting rid of things you do not need, it will be easier to face items you see every day, like old furniture, pieces of art, magazine collections, etc.

The best time to start decluttering is well before you put your home up for sale, but that is often easier said than done. Things around your home can hold precious and cherished memories, which makes parting with them difficult. If you struggle with letting things go, hire help. Professional organizers can help you get a handle on things and work with you to separate the useful and essential from the extraneous, sentimental, or useless. You can also hire an estate sales company to appraise and sell items like furniture, china, and artwork.

Where Should Your Stuff Go?

After you categorize your items and let your loved ones take their favorites, you may still have more stuff than space. What do you do with the extras? You have three options: sell them, donate them, or throw them away.

Throwing a garage sale before your move is a time-honored way to clear out extra belongings and make a little money. This also gives you a chance to share special belongings with your neighbors and other people in your community.

There is a possibility that you are unable to hold a garage sale due to a lack of time, space, or energy. In that case, it can be best to donate your items to a charitable organization. Organizations like Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity often rely on donations from the public to stock their consignment shops; they are happy to take most items with no questions asked. They may even come to your home for a ! Just make sure to call your local donation center to confirm they accept the items you want to give away.

Once you have tried all other options, it is okay to simply toss your remaining items in the trash or recycling. This is particularly true for worn clothing, small items you plan to replace, or paper items you no longer need. Throwing these things away will give you the freedom to move without extra baggage cluttering your space.

Be Financially Aware

One goal of downsizing should be to have less stuff and more money. Therefore, it is important to consider how a new space will impact your financial future. While it may sound lovely to leave the suburbs and settle in a cute bungalow overlooking the beach, rising housing costs and mortgage rates may make that dream less accessible than you had hoped.

As you look for a new place, try to find something that costs less than the sale price (or at least the equity) of your current home. Make sure you have plenty of room in your budget for your new mortgage payment鈥攐r that you can purchase your new home outright. Do not forget to account for property taxes and any capital gains taxes you might owe as a result of selling a home.

It is particularly important to make careful financial decisions as you downsize if you plan to retire. Retirees are often on a fixed income, making rising property taxes and other costs an unsustainable expense. Downsizing to a place well below your budget can help you avoid trouble when costs creep up.

Ultimately, downsizing is a wonderful opportunity for empty nesters to live a little freer. It is time to find the lifestyle you want, a budget you can sustain, and a space that will remain comfortable throughout your golden years. With these practical strategies in mind, you can navigate the downsizing process with confidence, ensuring a seamless transition to the empty nest phase once your youngest departs.

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Retirement societies are in a continual state of change all over the world. Whether helping people who live alone, in need of assisted living or memory care, or advancing to competent care, there is regular turnover regardless of the clients they represent.

Many buyers are likely to sell their house before making the move, while helping seniors plan a move from their long-time home to a senior neighborhood. Therein lays one of the greatest challenges to be tackled by any senior group sales agent.

Being a realtor is a respected career, especially if you are able to have an appreciation for the needs of older clientele. Since many seniors have not sold a house in years, even decades, the real estate agent needs the skills to direct them through the process of home purchases, but also the ability to explain what to expect and how to overcome challenges along the way.

In comparison, if your agent already has a team of service providers who can provide their customers solutions, their relevance to the senior practitioners in the industry improves even further. One stop shop… that’s what a lot of good realtors have.

The responsibilities of a realtor include more than just listing your house. Sometimes the senior client is downsizing a lifetime of treasures, they could have high-value antiques that would need to be reviewed. They also could need assistance in packaging and arranging, but hiring a competent planner will ease up this whole process for both the senior customer and the senior sales professional. Finding the go-to basement specialist, a roofer, contractor and more would not only make the process more feasible if there are renovations needed before sale, but it will also speed up the transition from the long-time home of the senior to a senior group home or senior community.

There is a noticeable focus on filling vacant apartments with continuous turnover in senior neighborhoods. A vast number of needs-driven movements are now taking shape… elderly who face a health setback and are no longer able to survive in their homes. Twelve months a year and with no warning, these movements happen. This suggests that the senior, their families and the senior group are all searching for support providers to assist them every step of the way. Since their house is always their main asset, and they seek to liquidate the asset to help pay for their treatment, in this process, the realtor becomes the most critical contact.

How many times in life do we have the luxury of delivering a service, touching lives in a positive way, and being paid to do so, enjoying a perfect work/life balance? That is what it will do for you to build your senior oriented niche real estate practice To learn more, check out . When doing something worthwhile and leading a quality life, we would love to help you expand your real estate practice.

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Usually, the only thing you鈥檇 think about when moving is location, location, location. However, when you鈥檙e moving for retirement, it鈥檚 never the same thing 鈥� you have to consider several factors because things will never be the same once you retire. For one, you won鈥檛 be earning the same money you usually earn from a regular day job. This means that when you retire, you should be keen on your expenses. Healthcare will also become a necessity during this phase of your life. To ensure that your move during retirement will become beneficial to you in the long run, consider these questions:

听How much is your monthly budget?

This is probably one of the most important things to consider when you鈥檙e planning to move for retirement. For you to have a successful retirement, you should have an idea of how much are you willing to spend on it. You can budget for retirement by looking into your monthly expenses. Determine how much you鈥檙e spending for mortgage payments, car payments, and other recurring bills. You should also keep track of how much are you spending on leisure activities such as dining out, groceries and shopping. If you need assistance in doing all of these, you can use a mobile app (there are a handful of apps online) or hire a financial advisor. All of these can help you in your budgeting, especially if you don鈥檛 have any idea of how to do it. After considering your expenses, take note of all the possible sources of income every month. Once you have these numbers, it鈥檒l be easy for you to come up with a monthly budget which is suitable for your needs and wants.

Where do you want to retire?

Aside from determining how much you can spend in a month, the location of where you want to retire should come next. Regardless if you鈥檙e moving somewhere new or near your current residence, you鈥檒l be able to find a location appropriate for your needs and budget. You can narrow down your search by looking into locations which have recreational activities and volunteer opportunities for seniors. As a retiree, you should always have avenues for physical activities and have fun.

How far is your new location from friends and family?

Consider the proximity to your family and friends. People who retire would want to be near their loved ones so they can easily bond and spend time with them. If you鈥檙e currently living in the same town as friends and family, and you want to be near them once you retire, think about retiring in your current city. If not, scout for nearby locations which are within driving distance. You want everything should be accessible to you and to them. On the other side of the coin, if you want to live far from your friends and family (to finally have some time to yourself), move somewhere near an airport. This will make it easier for you to visit your friends and family, and for them to do the same too.

If you鈥檙e living far from your friends and family right now and want to move somewhere near them, take time to familiarize the area. You need to make sure that everything you can ever need is within the proximity. Doing this will also help you determine the amount of adjustment you鈥檒l need to have once you move in.

Are there any healthcare facilities nearby?

When you age, your body starts to deteriorate. You鈥檒l not be as energized as you were back when you were a teen. And with these changes, you鈥檒l be needing a good doctor. Before moving, look for an area that has convenient healthcare facilities for you. Does this place have a hospital and credible doctor? Do they supply a wide variety of medications for your needs? Do they offer 24/7 medical assistance? You should have answers to these questions before deciding where to move. All of these are important for you to maintain your health once you retire. Aside from the availability of healthcare facilities, learn how your move can affect your healthcare plan. Usually, the healthcare plan you鈥檒l enjoy will be dependent on where you move.

Are there recreational activities available?

Being physically active is a necessity for you to live a healthy lifestyle during retirement. For this reasons, your location should support recreational activities. It should allow retirees like you to enjoy an afternoon of playing tennis, swimming or hiking; it should not run out of activities for you to do. Some retirees would even choose their retirement destination based on the activities they love to do. Retirees who love outdoor sports may choose a retirement location which is near a beach or mountain. For retirees who have a green thumb, a location which has gardens or lawns are their best options. Think about the things which you can do in a location 鈥� these will keep you physically and mentally sharp as you age.听听听

听Do you have any existing debt?

The last thing you want to think during retirement is debt. Retirement should be the time for you to relax, and not stress out. This is why you should slowly pay all of your debts before retirement. Shell out money from your monthly income and allocate these for your debts. The earlier you clear your life from debt, the earlier you can start planning for your retirement.

听Do you need help during the move?

After deciding where to move, think about 鈥渉ow鈥� you can actually do it. If you鈥檙e planning to do everything DIY or with the help of your friends, pack everything ahead of time. Boxes should be labeled accordingly. Consider decluttering before the move so you won鈥檛 end up bringing items which you no longer use. You can also have a garage sale and use the money you鈥檒l earn for your moving expenses. If you鈥檙e thinking of hiring professionals for the move, scout for moving companies and compare prices ahead of time. Make sure you鈥檒l end up working with a moving company which can give you the service you want within a reasonable price.

Don鈥檛 Make Rash Decisions

If you have been working for decades, retirement may not come easy. This is a stage in your life that will require drastic changes. You鈥檒l have to change your daily routines, let go of some relationships and even inject new activities just so you can live a healthier life. Fortunately, all of those changes can be pacified once you move in a location that is perfect for you. Deciding as to where that location is, can be might be a challenge but with the right sources, you鈥檒l know what to do. Consider the tips from this article and you鈥檙e already a step closer in retiring to your new home.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International. 

Dianne Abonita works for Roadway Moving and has been writing blogs for quite some time now. She is interested in a lot of things which makes it a joy for her to write about different niche. She has been providing solutions to different problems faced by her readers, and one of this is by giving them information about . When she鈥檚 not busy writing, Dianne spends her time with her family especially with her kids. This is where she draws inspiration from to continually provide informative blogs to different audience. 

The post What to Consider When Moving For Retirement appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Owning a vacation property can enhance your life and give you the chance to retire to a location you enjoy. But it鈥檚 not something to be done without plenty of preparation and a full understanding of the of dual property ownership. If you鈥檙e a senior, you must be especially diligent in selecting your second home.

Here are six boxes that should be checked before finalizing your investment:

Purchasing my second home will not put my first home and risk.

Even if you plan to move into your vacation home at some point, you should not let this purchase put your stability in danger. You should be in a that will allow you to continue to make your mortgage payments on your primary home even if circumstances force you to sell your vacation property at a loss.

My vacation home has the potential to create income.

If you鈥檙e attracted to a certain area, there鈥檚 a good chance many others are as well. Take the time to research properties in your desired area and compare your top picks with similar vacation rentals. You may be able to recoup a significant portion of your investment by . Just make sure to consider any additional repairs or modifications that may need to be made before renting out your home. While there are some fixes you can do on your own, for larger projects, you鈥檒l likely need to hire a contractor. Make sure to clearly articulate your vision and budget. You鈥檒l also have to maintain your property. This can include everything from hiring a cleaning and lawn-mowing service to regularly changing out your air filters.

I understand all the costs.

Whether you keep your home private or turn it into an , there are numerous costs associated with the second homeownership. HOA fees, insurance, furnishings, utilities and taxes are just part of the equation. You鈥檒l also be on the hook for year-round maintenance, which, if you don鈥檛 live nearby may need to be outsourced. Insurance costs are higher for second homes, but adding a fire alarm and security system (basic plans start at ) may help lower your bill.

I have the time and desire to visit often.

Unless your home is a rental, it will be money wasted if it sits empty. Make sure the home is in a convenient location and one you want to visit at least every other month. One of the worst things you can do is allow your property to remain unoccupied for extended periods. American Integrity Insurance Group explains why prolonged vacancies may leave you responsible for otherwise covered damages incurred even if you pay your insurance premium.

The home matches my lifestyle choices and abilities.

One of the most important things to consider when deciding on a vacation home is whether or not the home aligns with your personal lifestyle choices and current and future physical abilities. If you have mobility concerns, for instance, you may want to avoid a home or condominium that requires navigating stairs. Likewise, if you prefer walking to driving, the home should be located in close proximity to the amenities you most desire, including grocery stores, restaurants, and recreational facilities. Zillow Porchlight delves further into the topic in this brief vacation home .

I have partnered with an experienced real estate professional.

Unless you鈥檙e a licensed real estate agent, you should never enter the world of home buying alone. Interview local agents to determine which individual has the skill set 鈥� and track record 鈥� to help you get into the home of your dreams. A buyer鈥檚 agent will not only take the time to understand your needs, but will also perform independent research and eliminate properties that don鈥檛 fit your criteria. They will help you negotiate price and should be able to put you in contact with other professionals, such as home inspectors and real estate attorneys, that can keep the process moving smoothly. also notes that a buyer鈥檚 agent will have experience in providing productive solutions to setbacks, such as an unexpectedly low appraisal or issues found during the inspection.

A vacation home is an investment in yourself and your future. Don鈥檛 rush into it and remember the market is ever-changing. Your perfect home may not be listed just yet so keep your eyes open, your finances in order, and your schedule flexible.

The post What Retirees Should Consider When Buying a Vacation Home appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.

Usually, the only thing you鈥檇 think about when moving is location, location, location. However, when you鈥檙e moving for retirement, it鈥檚 never the same thing 鈥� you have to consider several factors because things will never be the same once you retire. For one, you won鈥檛 be earning the same money you usually earn from a regular day job. This means that when you retire, you should be keen on your expenses. Healthcare will also become a necessity during this phase of your life. To ensure that your move during retirement will become beneficial to you in the long run, consider these questions:

1. 听听听听听How much is your monthly budget?

This is probably one of the most important things to consider when you鈥檙e planning to move for retirement. For you to have a successful retirement, you should have an idea of how much are you willing to spend on it. You can budget for retirement by looking into your monthly expenses. Determine how much you鈥檙e spending for mortgage payments, car payments, and other recurring bills. You should also keep track of how much you are spending on leisure activities such as dining out, groceries and shopping. If you need assistance in doing all of these, you can use a mobile app (there are a handful of apps online) or hire a financial advisor. All of these can help you in your budgeting, especially if you don鈥檛 have any idea of how to do it. After considering your expenses, take note of all the possible sources of income every month. Once you have these numbers, it鈥檒l be easy for you to come up with a monthly budget which is suitable for your needs and wants.

2. 听听听听听Where do you want to retire?

Aside from determining how much you can spend in a month, the location of where you want to retire should come next. Regardless if you鈥檙e moving somewhere new or near your current residence, you鈥檒l be able to find a location appropriate for your needs and budget. You can narrow down your search by looking into locations which have recreational activities and volunteer opportunities for seniors. As a retiree, you should always have avenues for physical activities and have fun.

3. 听听听听听How far is your new location from friends and family?

Before saying 鈥測es鈥� to a broker who offered you a property somewhere, consider how near or far it is to your friends and family. People who retire would want to be near their loved ones so they can easily bond and spend time with them. If you鈥檙e currently living in the same town as friends and family, and you want to be near them once you retire, think about retiring in your current city. If not, scout for nearby locations which are within driving distance. You want everything should be accessible to you and to them. On the other side of the coin, if you want to live far from your friends and family (to finally have some time to yourself), move somewhere near an airport. This will make it easier for you to visit your friends and family, and for them to do the same too.

If you鈥檙e living far from your friends and family right now and want to move somewhere near them, take time to familiarize the area. You need to make sure that everything you can ever need is within the proximity. Doing this will also help you determine the amount of adjustment you鈥檒l need to have once you move in.

4. 听听听听听Are there any healthcare facilities nearby?

When you age, your body starts to deteriorate. You鈥檒l not be as energized as you were back when you were a teen. And with these changes, you鈥檒l be needing a good doctor. Before moving, look for an area that has convenient healthcare facilities for you. Does this place have a hospital and credible doctor? Do they supply a wide variety of medications for your needs? Do they offer 24/7 medical assistance? You should have answers to these questions before deciding where to move. All of these are important for you to maintain your health once you retire. Aside from the availability of healthcare facilities, learn how your move can affect your healthcare plan. Usually, the healthcare plan you鈥檒l enjoy will be dependent on where you move.

5. 听听听听听Are there recreational activities available?

Being physically active is a necessity for you to live a healthy lifestyle during retirement. For this reasons, your location should support recreational activities. It should allow retirees like you to enjoy an afternoon of playing tennis, swimming or hiking; it should not run out of activities for you to do. Some retirees would even choose their retirement destination based on the activities they love to do. Retirees who love outdoor sports may choose a retirement location which is near a beach or mountain. For retirees who have a green thumb, a location which has gardens or lawns are their best options. Think about the things which you can do in a location 鈥� these will keep you physically and mentally sharp as you age.

6. 听听听听听Do you have any existing debt?

The last thing you want to think during retirement is debt. Retirement should be the time for you to relax, and not stress out. This is why you should slowly pay all of your debts before retirement. Shell out money from your monthly income and allocate these for your debts. The earlier you clear your life from debt, the earlier you can start planning for your retirement.

7. 听听听听听Do you need help during the move?

After deciding where to move, think about 鈥渉ow鈥� you can actually do it. If you鈥檙e planning to do everything DIY or with the help of your friends, pack everything ahead of time. Boxes should be labeled accordingly. Consider decluttering before the move so you won鈥檛 end up bringing items which you no longer use. You can also have a garage sale and use the money you鈥檒l earn for your moving expenses. If you鈥檙e thinking of hiring professionals for the move, scout for moving companies and compare prices ahead of time. Make sure you鈥檒l end up working with a moving company which can give you the service you want within a reasonable price.

Don鈥檛 Make Rash Decisions

If you have been working for decades, retirement may not come easy. This is a stage in your life that will require drastic changes. You鈥檒l have to change your daily routines, let go of some relationships and even inject new activities just so you can live a healthier life. Fortunately, all of those changes can be pacified once you move in a location that is perfect for you. Deciding as to where that location is, can be might be a challenge but with the right sources, you鈥檒l know what to do. Consider the tips from this article and you鈥檙e already a step closer in retiring to your new home.

This post is intended for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. The point of view and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of 皇冠体育app International.

This post was written for 皇冠体育app by Dianne Abonita.听Dianne has been writing blogs for quite some time now. She is interested in a lot of things which makes it a joy for her to write about different niche. She has been providing solutions to different problems faced by her readers, and one of this is by giving them information about . When she鈥檚 not busy writing, Dianne spends her time with her family especially with her kids. This is where she draws inspiration from to continually provide informative blogs to different audience.

The post What to Consider if You’re Planning To Move for Retirement appeared first on Blog | 皇冠体育app.