To begin, let me say I'm a sucker for the sentimental value of property. When homes have been handed down in families or developed from scratch I totally "get" the attachment that can develop. However, as with all attachments, sometimes their burden can be overwhelming.
This blog might have easily been entitled: Let someone else take the dream higher! Along the way a beautiful example of this was with a home in a lovely neighbourhood in East Hill. I represented the buyers; a young family just trying to get into a real home. The owner had been there for ages, but recently needed to go somewhere to receive extended care. He lovingly agreed to let the home go for what we offered because he knew his beloved home was going to be continued to be enjoyed.
Sometimes I find people holding on to larger homes and properties way past their time of being able to manage or enjoy them. The dream acreage or 5+ bedroom home becomes a drain on time, energy and resources -- making the once enjoyable tasks a nightmare of duties.
If two people are working full time in a family managing a huge yard and gardens needs to be carefully considered! Likewise for parents managing a huge home for the one time a year the adult children might all be there at the same time. Or, how about the "hobby farm?" If you like to travel and don't have help, you should really carefully consider how long after your kids have grown up you want to keep the critters. But, the hobby farm might be the perfect fit for a young family!
Retirees sometimes fear selling the family home is the next step to the grave! Yet, what retirees that downsize often realize instead is another time of youthful freedom! Free from chores and maintaining a large home and yard they travel, play and generally have a great time!
Of course its not an all or nothing proposition; there are many wonderful people out there to employ to help garden and clean. (Although it is also amazing on how relatively few people ever hire home help!)
The best example of pro-active movement I've heard is a friend, Hugh, from Ontario. His m.o. is to stay 5 years ahead of the curve so he is never forced to sell. He and his first wife sold their large family home and moved to a strata on one level. Sadly, his wife fell ill and passed. They were, however, already in a perfect living situation so avoided the added stress of selling and moving. He's since remarried and he and his wife spend lots of time travelling. I have no doubt as they age he'll research any new dwelling he thinks might be needed and move again before having to.
I have seen pressure in families too from grown children toward their parents to "not sell the home I grew up in." Rubbish! Are the kids going to help pay the bills and do the chores? Each of us owes it to our family to want only what is best for them at this point in their lives -- what is happy, manageable and right for this stage of their lives.
Rather than cling to the past; let's create bright futures! As we appreciate our homes and their histories we let go and let the dream continue.
This blog might have easily been entitled: Let someone else take the dream higher! Along the way a beautiful example of this was with a home in a lovely neighbourhood in East Hill. I represented the buyers; a young family just trying to get into a real home. The owner had been there for ages, but recently needed to go somewhere to receive extended care. He lovingly agreed to let the home go for what we offered because he knew his beloved home was going to be continued to be enjoyed.
Sometimes I find people holding on to larger homes and properties way past their time of being able to manage or enjoy them. The dream acreage or 5+ bedroom home becomes a drain on time, energy and resources -- making the once enjoyable tasks a nightmare of duties.
If two people are working full time in a family managing a huge yard and gardens needs to be carefully considered! Likewise for parents managing a huge home for the one time a year the adult children might all be there at the same time. Or, how about the "hobby farm?" If you like to travel and don't have help, you should really carefully consider how long after your kids have grown up you want to keep the critters. But, the hobby farm might be the perfect fit for a young family!
Retirees sometimes fear selling the family home is the next step to the grave! Yet, what retirees that downsize often realize instead is another time of youthful freedom! Free from chores and maintaining a large home and yard they travel, play and generally have a great time!
Of course its not an all or nothing proposition; there are many wonderful people out there to employ to help garden and clean. (Although it is also amazing on how relatively few people ever hire home help!)
The best example of pro-active movement I've heard is a friend, Hugh, from Ontario. His m.o. is to stay 5 years ahead of the curve so he is never forced to sell. He and his first wife sold their large family home and moved to a strata on one level. Sadly, his wife fell ill and passed. They were, however, already in a perfect living situation so avoided the added stress of selling and moving. He's since remarried and he and his wife spend lots of time travelling. I have no doubt as they age he'll research any new dwelling he thinks might be needed and move again before having to.
I have seen pressure in families too from grown children toward their parents to "not sell the home I grew up in." Rubbish! Are the kids going to help pay the bills and do the chores? Each of us owes it to our family to want only what is best for them at this point in their lives -- what is happy, manageable and right for this stage of their lives.
Rather than cling to the past; let's create bright futures! As we appreciate our homes and their histories we let go and let the dream continue.
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