Sweet domino effect

A few months ago I was asked to come to a town home by the son of the elderly owner, his sweet mom.  I'd been there a year before, having been recommended to the son by a trusted Rotary connection.  Previously it was clear that the dear woman who owned the place was not ready yet to make a move -- and there was a lot of "stuff" to clear out.  So, I made suggestions about how to ready the home for sale and kept in touch.


When I returned this time, it was all systems go.  The woman was moving to a place closer to her son that also provided meals and transportation.


Shortly after listing I met a fine local couple who were ready to downsize from their family home.  The time had come for them to do less yard work, shoveling and home maintenance.  So, the idea of a small strata community suited them perfectly.  They bought the town home. 


In reviewing their family home, I advised them not to start any upgrades but rather to sell it in its current condition -- very clean but dated.  This would allow first time home buyers a chance to get into our market.  Given the family neighbourhood, access to schools and parks and great view I rather suspected a young family would jump at this if the price was affordable.


The couple listed their home with me at a reasonable price and within a week we had an offer and a back up offer.  The home sold higher than list price due to competing offers.  A young couple with a dog moved in and are loving the neighbourhood and the big fenced yard with fruit trees.  They are in heaven, the dog is in heaven and the neighbourhood is enjoying them.


I've heard this week from the first seller -- she is love, love, loving her new carefree lifestyle!  She calls it "hotel living."  The couple who bought the town home are loving it and loving that when we recently got walloped with a huge snowstorm they have very little impact....just a wee driveway to shovel.  All the "heavy lifting" of snow removal was done by a company included in their strata fees. 


In short, moving when the time is right results in great joy; not just for the person moving, but for the sweet domino effect it puts into motion.


When the time is right for you, call me.  You need a trusted Realtor to guide you through the right steps to achieve the maximum return on your investment and the sweetest process along the way.


Most people I've helped to simplify or downsize remark that they wish they had done it 5 years ago!  So don't delay....you've earned a carefree slice!

Has your dream become a nightmare?

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.

Don't act your age; but do move on!

For heaven's sake, don't act your age! But do move on when the time is right.

One of the delicate times in a person's life is when they are beginning to consider selling "the family home." This was the place they raised their family and had back yard parties, contained the doorway with penciled heights of the kids growing up...the place that for many years has been home.

This is also likely the place with lots of stairs, laundry in the basement, big yard and gardens and lots of maintenance.

For some, the thought of moving from this family home is akin to ordering their tombstone. All downhill to the grave. I'd like to say, from my experience helping people downsize, it's really closer to returning to party days of youth. All enlivening and stimulating!

Contrary to the thought that going from a big home to a townhome or apartment is restricting it is often just the opposite. Suddenly there are lots of folks around to talk to or share card games with. Suddenly there is time to travel instead of watering gardens and time to go on long hikes instead of cleaning a large home. So much of "chore" time is freed up for play time.

Many 55+ strata developments have pools, club houses and recreational facilities. Most of the club houses can be reserved for special occasions involving larger numbers -- so you still have a place to host that family reunion! Many strata developments are gated, lending themselves well to the seasonal traveller. You can be away without a worry!

Many "retirement" apartment complexes have gorgeous dining rooms and fitness areas, bus service to town, libraries, movie rooms, salons and various other amenities! Long gone are the days of images of rows of listless and bored "inmates" of a seniors home.

A colleague here at Sutton, Michele Blais, made a wise observation when appearing in the "Sutton Scoop" the other day; de-cluttering a home for sale is a good start to the process of letting go of that chapter in your life.

Downsizing, or right sizing, not only allows you more freedom to follow your current dreams -- it frees up a new lodging for another family to create their own memories where yours left off.

Life can just keep getting better; don't let anyone tell you otherwise!