By Jule’ Dunham
Greetings from the World of Real Estate with Julè. Life is Good!
This week I would like to postpone sharing with you the “Disadvantages of Owning or Renting and share with the seniors. There is someone I know that probably make a change in their residence due to their inability to maintain their home any longer. This is a very good time for them to evaluate if they want to downsize to a smaller home or maybe rent an apartment in a senior community where all of the lawncare and maintenance is taken care of for them by someone else. There are several reasons seniors may need or want to make a change. Some reasons may be loss of a spouse, health issues, downsizing, moving closer to their grandchildren, moving closer to their own children even if there are no grandchildren, change of scenery, tired of maintenance issues, and many other reasons.
It can be disheartening for seniors to come to the realization that they can no longer maintain their property. Some seniors simply say they will live out their days in their home even though they cannot maintain it any longer which could lead to any number of problems. Moving at this point in their lives can be quite unnerving. After all, moving is difficult for most all of us. There is certainly comfort in the familiar. Sometimes the familiar becomes problematic, and change is required to make life better.
Generally, seniors have a lot of good memories in their home to include many keepsakes. Family and friends would be happy to help you sort out what is really important to keep and what you can donate or toss. Packing can be very difficult especially if they have health issues that complicate the situation.
Should you want to downsize it can make your home ownership easier on you. No more headaches of finding a reliable repair person if they move to a retirement community. We have such a community right here in Millington. I have personally spoken with several of the residents there and they would not live anywhere else. They love the social interaction that they would not have otherwise. Most would not want to reside with their children or other relatives. By moving to a retirement community, seniors have more opportunity to be with other seniors with common interests which is very important. Loneliness is a terrible thing. Why be lonely when you can be surrounded by good friends. It is simple…there is no need to be lonely. Sharing good times with friends is just as important as sharing with family.
Looking on the bright side of making a change:
Fewer Responsibilities – All the things you had to care for or hire done will no longer fall on your shoulders! A smaller living space means less maintenance, less cleaning (yahoo) and less effort.
More Time to Call Your Own- Your to-do list will get significantly shorter the moment you move into your new location. Have you wanted to have more time to read? To watch movies? To Travel? To make new friends or spend more time with your old ones? Ta Da!! You’ve got it!
A Clean Slate – It’s not often you can recreate yourself in life. Do you want to ditch old hobbies and pick up something new? Do you want to dress differently or change your hair? A new location means a unique opportunity to define who you are now, instead of the person others expect you to be. Cut loose!
An Excellent Excuse to Reduce Stuff – You may have to part with some things you like, but you also get to walk away from all the things you don’t. No more guilty feelings about tossing a gift you never really liked. You can stop providing the family’s storage unit. You can keep what you adore and pitch with abandon because you “just won’t have room at the new place.”
Moving to a new home after many years in this one is challenging. But, if you take charge and call the shots about how it gets done, this is more than a move-it’s an opportunity.
You decide how the next chapter of your life will play out. It’s your story. Make it an enjoyable, personal and colorful one!
Thank you to SRES for putting it so well.
Remember: Say Hello. Be Kind. Be Friendly. Embrace Life and all that it really offers. Keep Life Simple. Making good relay relationships is very important to our mental, emotional and physical health. Should you have a topic you would like addressed, please feel free to contact me.
Thank you for reading my column and have a blessed week.
Here is your local realtor, Julè Dunham, signing off until next week.
Crye-Leike Realtors
Julè Dunham, Affiliate Broker, SRES, RENE. Contact her by phone at 901-828-8471 (cell) or 901-840-1181 (office) or by email to: [email protected] for an appointment to speak with you, your group or club.
“Let’s Make This Happen Together”
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