You have decided to downsize, what now?
Moving at any time can be stressful but when you have lived in your home for twenty plus years it can be overwhelming.  Often times it is well advised to hire an outside person to help with the overall process, that is where a Senior Move Manager comes in.
Perhaps you have heard of senior move managers but have no idea what they do. Here are some of the things they do and what to look for when hiring them.
What they do

1. Help you make the sometimes difficult and emotional decisions of what to keep and what to part with.
2. Presenting options of what to do with the things you are parting with.
3. Help facilitate donations, estate sales and disposal of your items.
4. Packing and sorting items.
5. Emotional support.
6. An emotional buffer amongst family members
7. Helping you realistically see what will fit in your new home.
8. Unpacking and getting settled in your new home.
9. Help you coordinate and schedule all of the moving parts; movers, estate sales, cleaners etc.

 
What to look for

1. Will they tailor their approach to how you like to work?
2. Does their personality work with you? 
3. Are they willing to have friends and family assist to save you money?
4. Are you able to choose only some of their services?
5. Do you have to sign a package deal?
6. Who will you be working with? The person that consults with you or someone else?

 

​Spring is here and we all want to enjoy this beautiful weather. Before summer sets in and you are tripping over your snowblower or bumping into your bikes take a day to organize and clean out your garage. Pick a nice day to make the project more enjoyable.

As you are taking everything out of the garage, assess your need for every item. Have you used it in the last year? Is it in good working order? Will you use it in the next year? If you answered no to any of these questions, seriously consider getting rid of the item.  If the items are in good working order donate them.

When the garage is empty, sweep or blow out the garage, then check for any issues such as rodents, major cracks/holes or water issues. If they can be taken care of immediately handle them, otherwise schedule a time to address the issue.

If you do not have a convenient place for your rakes, shovels and hoes consider putting up hooks or a hanging rack. If your bikes are all over and falling into your car, get a simple hook to hang them on the wall or under a taller shelf.

If you have a number of smaller items on the floor, consider some shelving. If you are handy you can build some otherwise purchase some sturdy shelves at your local home improvement center.
                                                            Happy Clearing Out!

You have heard the saying that “the only thing constant is change” … never truer than in housing transitions.
A client of mine planned to move into a senior living complex that was under construction. She received a move in date and her real estate agent Sharlene Hensrud of RE/MAX Results HomesMSP Team got ready to list her home. Numerous changes happened along the way. The date that her unit would be ready kept being pushed out. During this time, she had a medical emergency that put her in the hospital followed by rehab. Unable to return to her home due to health issues and with her new place in the senior complex not ready she needed to find transitional housing. Meanwhile she needed to get her home on the market quickly. Her daughter who lives out of state contacted me to help with the transition. Her daughter rented a SmartBox and my team and I packed up her condo, filled the box and it was moved to storage. Weeks later her new place was ready, the SmartBox was delivered and my team and I moved her in to her new place.
Although it wasn’t what they had originally planned the transition went smoothly and she is happily settled into her new home. 

As we get a chill in the air here in the north, we need to start thinking about prepping for winter. I like to do as much as I can before it gets to cold.

1. Go through your garage and take all paints into the house. Freezing can ruin your paint.
2. If you have grass seed or other seeds in your garage place them in mouse proof containers to avoid attracting them to your garage.
3. Walk the perimeter of your home and seal any cracks to keep mice out.
4. Purchase a fuel stabilizer for your lawn mower and follow the directions for use.
5. Remove and drain all of your hoses then prep your spigots for winter.
6. Clean out your gutters to avoid water issues.
7. Clean out your car and make sure you have window scrapers in the car. Also, prepare your winter survival kit for your car. Depending on how far out of a city you travel, here are some suggestions for your kit; a shovel, flashlight with extra batteries, water, snack food, matches and candles extra hats, socks and mittens, first aid kit, sleeping bag or warm blanket, pocket knife, tow chain, and cat liter or sand for traction.

Stay warm and enjoy WINTER

So you have decided to move into a smaller home. Now comes the challenge of what to take with you and what to let go of. Do you have heirloom china or maybe you have an excess amount of cookbooks and cooking magazines? Perhaps you have a garage full of unfinished projects that have ended up in the abyss of good intentions.