Living in Contra Costa County

Boomers Top 10 Tips To Let It Go! 

 

Larry and Sheila do a considerable amount of business working with seniors who are either downsizing or thinking about it.

 

When deciding if it's time for Baby Boomers to leave their family home for a smaller place, there are many things to think about. Of course, for most, it is never an easy choice to make.

 

You don't need your large house anymore.

 

You don't want to clean your large house anymore.

 

You don't want the financial burdens that are attached to owning a large house.

 

You also don't want to think about how difficult it might be to sort through everything in your large house to get ready for the move.

 

However, Larry and Sheila are finding that many consumers do want to simplify their lifestyles, less maintenance, more travel, more leisure time. In other words, they want to free up their time and energy for more creative pursuits.

 

To help Baby Boomers prepare for the downsizing move, here are 10 Tips to help de-clutter your home. By the way, for those of you "youngsters" who don't know who the "Baby Boomers" are, they are those who were born just after World War II and are called so because of the boom in the number of babies born during that period.

 

1. Start Slow ~  Start with a room that is not often used anymore, like a basement, a formal dining room, or those extra spare bedrooms. This way you avoid cluttering the areas of the home that are used regularly.

 

2. Sort Everything ~ While still in your current residence, sort through everything. Look around the house and toss everything away that you genuinely don't need. Put aside the items that you can sell or donate and take care of those before you move.

 

3. Closets ~ Assort your clothes and really look at the things that you haven't worn in a long time, or don't even fit you anymore. If you haven't worn something in a couple of years, it's time to let go.

 

4. Furniture ~ Really look at all your furniture and think about the space you will have in your new place. When you start with the large items like furniture, you will feel you are  more progressive. Then you can move towards the smallest items like knick-knacks or collectibles.

 

 

5. Let The Family Have Stuff ~ If you still have things that belong to your children or other family members, see it they want them. Otherwise get rid of it. If they don't want it, why are you holding onto it?

 

6. Storage/Attics/Garages ~ Look at your tools, mowers, storage, outdated anything, or whatever else is stored in your garage and get rid of what you don't need. If you move into a condo, chances are they provide all the yard maintenance for you, so do you really need this stuff? There’s usually good items to sell in a garage sale. Why not make extra money, while cleaning out the home.

 

7. Personal Papers And Photographs ~ These often take the most time to go through. Take your time and decide whether to keep, save for your children, or shred. You don’t need to discard photos, but you do need to consider how to organize and store them.

 

8. Gifts And Sentimental Items ~ If you're still hanging onto your children's school papers, and old clothes, ask yourself why? Also as to those gifts that you have received for all kinds of occasions, it’s okay to let go of well-intended but not-quite-on-the-mark gifts. Maybe keep a clear plastic “memory box” for the very special items you want to keep.

 

9. Keep, Sell, Donate, Or Trash ~ Although it maybe difficult to part with possessions, doing so is often a must for anyone planning to downsize. Begin by dividing belongings into keep, sell, donate, and trash categories.  Knowing that others will appreciate these things might make parting with the items a bit easier.

 

10. Let Things Go ~  Don't be afraid to let things go. After all, they are just material things and you might feel a little better living a little lighter. Start to de-clutter your home ahead of the move, you will be able to move into a smaller home easier, lighter and ready for the new excitement ahead!

 

And, of course, #11 would be to call Larry and Sheila, Realtors with Charles Rutenberg Realty at 631-805-4400, if you are downsizing on The North Shore Of Long Island!

 

http://www.suffolkexperts.com

Email: sheila@suffolkexperts.com

 

All content, including text, photographs and images, remains the exclusive property of Suffolk Experts.  Only with written permission of Larry & Sheila may anything be used by others. All information is believed to be accurate but is not guaranteed. Suffolk Experts and Larry & Sheila make no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, delays in information, any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use.   

If you or anyone you know is considering to sell their existing home on The North Shore Of Long Island, or is purchasing their first home, dream home, step-up home, or retirement residence, we would appreciate the opportunity to serve them, and we can also recommend a relocation professional in the destination of choice outside our Long Island area! 

                    

 

  

For retirees—or those who have retirement in sight—now is a great time to buy a retirement home. Prices are down in most communities and there are many fabulous homes on the market. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should run out and buy without a plan. Just a few simple tips will help you find a great deal and make the most of this buyers’ market.

1. Do Your Homework

By now, you have enough experience to understand that buying a home is a major investment. Perhaps you’ve owned a home (or many homes) before. While you may know more than a young, first-time homebuyer, don’t let your previous experience keep you from doing your homework.

The housing market is changing, and smart homebuyers take the time to research before buying. Investigate the community, the developer and recently sold homes in your chosen area to find out what constitutes a “good deal” in the current market.

2. Review Your Finances and Retirement Goals

Heading into retirement, it’s more important than ever to know just how much house you can truly afford. Many homebuyers got in trouble during the recent housing crisis because they followed bad advice, even though they were afraid it sounded “too good to be true.”

Before talking to a community sales agent or other real estate agent, meet with an independent financial advisor to review your retirement savings. Don’t forget to plan for retirement goals like travel or recreation expenses. Once you know how much you can truly afford to spend on your retirement home, it will be easier to stick to your budget while home shopping and negotiating the sale.

3. Honestly Assess Your Needs

In real estate, there’s an old adage which advises against buying the biggest or grandest house on the block. This is because the value of your home is always dependent in part on the price of its neighboring homes. Bigger homes also require more maintenance and upkeep costs.

Now that the market has made homes more affordable, don’t be tempted to buy a bigger or more luxurious house than you need just because it is a “good deal.” Instead, look for a home that is just right for your retirement needs and use the savings to reach some of your other retirement goals.

4. Consider Community Amenities and Fees

Amenity-rich communities are nice, but no one wants to pay for perks that they know they won’t use. For the best deal, compare the monthly association fees at your favorite active adult communities. Find out what the fees cover and if you would be paying for something you won’t use, like a mandatory golf course membership.

While larger resort-style communities are impressive, make sure you plan to use a good portion of the amenities. Otherwise, you might be happier in a community with lower association fees and just the amenities you will use.

5. Look for Inventory Homes or Resale Homes

Though you may have dreams of buying a new construction, don’t limit your options too much. Choosing a pre-built (or partially built) new home doesn’t give you the freedom to plan every detail, but it can be a great way to save money while still being the original homeowner.

Similarly, you should also let yourself be open to looking at resale homes. You never know when you might come across a previously-owned, well-maintained home which has all the features you want—including a lower price.

This article originally appeared on 55Places.com. For more articles like this or for information about hundreds of 55+ active adult retirement communities across the country, please visit 55Places.com.

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