Considering Downsizing? Navigating the Transition to Your Next Home
Original Content by Carl Johnson
Though the idea of outgrowing a home is often a hot topic, it is actually most common that at one point in your home ownership lifetime you will take a step back and realize that the home has now become too big. Too many bedrooms that are now used for the rare guest, or too many bathrooms that need to be scrubbed top to bottom, and even that beautiful large yard and landscape, which has become too difficult or expensive to maintain. The benefits of downsizing your home can be impactful more than just financially, with physical and mental benefits as well. As you navigate the transition into your next home, we at Carl Johnson Real Estate are here to help. We have unique knowledge of the area to get you in the right neighborhood along with unique resources, such is our friend and colleague Lisa Schuster from Caring Transitions, who are experts in the downsizing and home transition field. Read below to learn how to best navigate your next step in the home search market.
Simply Downsizing
If you have been in your home for years and find yourself no longer needing the extra bedrooms you may be surprised to learn about the equity that has built up along with your fond memories throughout those years. Reaching out to us as Real Estate professionals will give you a realistic idea of what value exists in your home compared to when you first bought it. Understanding your home's value is a great first step before searching for your next move. Once you know your equity, you may have options you didn't think of such as putting a large down payment or even fully paying off your downsized next home or even having enough for a second Crystal Coast home (just as an idea!).
If you are simply looking to move into a smaller, more manageable home we can help you each step of the way. From searching in an area for a certain home type we can use all of our tools to make sure we check off your needs one at a time!
So Many Options!
A variety of new constitution builders have seen the need for transition style homes and have constructed some 55+ neighborhoods throughout the Triangle. These plans tend to have first floor masters, integral garages, manageable yards with HOAs that include landscaping, yardwork, and snow removable, as well as promoting an active lifestyle with pools, gyms, tennis/pickleball courts, golf, walking trails, community centers with planned activities and groups. See below a list of some great neighborhoods around the Triangle:
Carolina Arbors by Del Webbs - Durham (slideshow below)
Falls Village by Stanley Martin - Durham
Fendol Farms - Durham
Creekside at Bethpage - Durham
Briar Chapel - Chapel Hill
Olde Towne - Raleigh
Auburn Village - Raleigh
All photos in the slide show are from Carolina Arbors: CA Public Take a Tour - Carolina Arbors by Del Webb (ourcarolinaarbors.com)
Though the idea of outgrowing a home is often a hot topic, it is actually most common that at one point in your home ownership lifetime you will take a step back and realize that the home has now become too big. Too many bedrooms that are now used for the rare guest, or too many bathrooms that need to be scrubbed top to bottom, and even that beautiful large yard and landscape, which has become too difficult or expensive to maintain. The benefits of downsizing your home can be impactful more than just financially, with physical and mental benefits as well. As you navigate the transition into your next home, we at Carl Johnson Real Estate are here to help. We have unique knowledge of the area to get you in the right neighborhood along with unique resources, such is our friend and colleague Lisa Schuster from Caring Transitions, who are experts in the downsizing and home transition field. Read below to learn how to best navigate your next step in the home search market.
Simply Downsizing
If you have been in your home for years and find yourself no longer needing the extra bedrooms you may be surprised to learn about the equity that has built up along with your fond memories throughout those years. Reaching out to us as Real Estate professionals will give you a realistic idea of what value exists in your home compared to when you first bought it. Understanding your home's value is a great first step before searching for your next move. Once you know your equity, you may have options you didn't think of such as putting a large down payment or even fully paying off your downsized next home or even having enough for a second Crystal Coast home (just as an idea!).
If you are simply looking to move into a smaller, more manageable home we can help you each step of the way. From searching in an area for a certain home type we can use all of our tools to make sure we check off your needs one at a time!
So Many Options!
A variety of new constitution builders have seen the need for transition style homes and have constructed some 55+ neighborhoods throughout the Triangle. These plans tend to have first floor masters, integral garages, manageable yards with HOAs that include landscaping, yardwork, and snow removable, as well as promoting an active lifestyle with pools, gyms, tennis/pickleball courts, golf, walking trails, community centers with planned activities and groups. See below a list of some great neighborhoods around the Triangle:
Carolina Arbors by Del Webbs - Durham (slideshow below)
Falls Village by Stanley Martin - Durham
Fendol Farms - Durham
Creekside at Bethpage - Durham
Briar Chapel - Chapel Hill
Olde Towne - Raleigh
Auburn Village - Raleigh
All photos in the slide show are from Carolina Arbors: CA Public Take a Tour - Carolina Arbors by Del Webb (ourcarolinaarbors.com)
You can find most of your needs covered in these 55+ plus communities while still getting all of the benefits of living in the Triangle. The goal of 55+ communities is to promote an ease of living while still making a connection with friends and families by staying active and involved.
Downsizing is a Step Forward
We want our clients to be ready for the transition into a new home and not think of it in any negative ways. While it can be sad to say goodbye to a home that was a major part of making a lifetime of memories, the excitement of this next chapter should drive your home search. With the right home sale and new home purchase, making a transition into a downsize home can give you financial and mobility freedom. You may not need a first floor master, and hopefully staircases are never an issue, but having the piece of mind that you can live without that added fear of climbing to your bedroom or carrying groceries upstairs from your garage can be an invaluable peace of mind. Small steps now can have a major impact for you in the future.
Our Resources and Friends are Yours Too!
Just as important as our Coldwell Banker resources is our connections to other businesses in our community. We work with our colleague and friend Lisa Schuster from Caring Transitions Chapel Hill, Durham, and N. Raleigh for clients at all different stages of their home transitions. Lisa Schuster is the CEO and owner of Caring Transitions Chapel Hill where she and her team offer services covering relocation, downsizing & decluttering, Estate Sales & Online Auctions, and also Home Clean-Outs. Offering a compassionate and stress-free option to help during a new and sometimes difficult time, Caring Transitions Chapel Hill can help you each step of the way. Even just packing and cleaning a home can be a daunting task which Lisa is here to help you with.
We interviewed Lisa to ask some general questions about navigating your home transition with the hopes to pass along this knowledge and information along to help you! See our Q&A below:
Q: Do most of your clients come to you with a need to downsize or can they come to you just as a place to talk and get the conversation started on their options beforehand?
A: Because we can tailor make a plan for anyone at any stage of their transition, we talk to people and work with people at various stages. Yes, some have started consultations, and that pre-planning part as much as a year in advance. That way they have time to declutter, look for assisted living places, put deposits down (or get on waiting lists if needed). Once those steps have been completed we can come in and start working with a family to space plan their new place, decluttering if needed, packing, relocation, and resettling into the new home.
Q: Do you suggest getting started in understanding the process and options before there is an immediate need?
A: Yes, absolutely! Many people say I don't think I need it but then a health crisis like a fall or decline in health makes living on their own unfeasible. So, assisted living becomes an emergent need (trying to locate a place upon discharge within days) instead of planned events having sometimes months to plan.
Q: What are some key factors people should consider when looking to downsize?
A: Location is one for sure. Amenities included at the community - some include all the meals, some only 2. Some are restaurant style and some are buffet style. For some people meals are a big deal, so you will want to see what style and how many meals are included.
Q: Downsizing isn’t a step backwards, it is often a step forward to more freedom and movability. Do you agree with this, what are your thoughts on today’s generation and their outlook on downsizing?
A: Absolutely! Seniors these days are more active than ever! In most senior living communities they are packed full of activities to keep seniors active and social. Keeping an active lifestyle and social life shows our seniors are living longer lives.
Q: What are some common challenges to look out for while starting the downsizing process?
A: I'm not sure it's a challenge, but I would recommend to seniors that they contact a professional first before they start purging items and just throwing everything away or donating it. Sometimes, things that they donate could have been sold in an estate or online auction to offset the cost of the relocation.
Q: Should home accessibility be a key to look out for while searching for a downsizing home? Do clients tend to have trouble thinking of the future while on a home search, may not need it now but, for example, first floor master, would be nice for your next steps.
A: Not every 'home' is going to be a house. It may be independent living or assisted living. Most of those are all designed with seniors in mind - 1st floor (or if they are multi level they have elevators), no stairs in the homes, everything has grab bars installed, etc.
Q: Is decluttering and removing of unused items/furniture a good first step for people to take?
A: Many people would like to age in place within their homes, so yes, decluttering their home is a great place to start. This can be going through each space and getting rid of all the disorganization, clearing the clutter, throwing away items that are clearly trash, and purging items that need to go to Goodwill. Remove trip hazards from rooms; this could be rugs or furniture pieces.
Q: Moving expenses and peace of mind with movers? Is this something you are able to help guide clients with?
A: Yes! When Caring Transitions does a move for you, we help with your space planning all the way through moving you in and unpacking you. We manage the entire move for you. You can literally go stay in a hotel for a night while we pack you and unpack you, and we will call you when it's done to come move in.
Q: Do you work with the families as well as home owners during this process? If someone besides the homeowner is a caregiver, can you work with them together?
A: We can work with anyone, providing the homeowner has given us authorization to do so.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that would assist the consumer with more information about this process.
A: Caring Transitions is a national branded company, with 300 locations nationwide. Caring Transitions is different than the rest of the companies out there. One, we are a full-service company and leading experts in the field of senior relocation, downsizing, and estate sales. There are other companies out there that do just estate sales or relocation but we do it all....and can tailor a plan right for you!. We have been in many news articles, magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, The Wall Street Journal and most recently The Dr. Phil Show in May.
Secondly, all of our employees are employed by me, vetted, background checked and insured. Some companies out there don't employ their staff; they hire them for the day or on a per-job basis.
Also, we have a promotion going on for November and December 2023 for discounts off on Decluttering and Cleanouts ' Decluttering for the Holidays'. We are selling gift certificates this year, as a great gift idea for families to give to seniors in their life who might need help with decluttering. Guys who want to clean out the garage because they can't get the car in, may want to take advantage of this also!
I can also help families find an assisted living place, if needed. My biggest suggestion - Call for a free consultation and we will go over all their questions and make a plan! 919-267-1440 or 919-627-3303 *gift certificate information call 3303 directly.
Getting the conversation started is a great first step and you can easily fill out a contact us form on their website for a free consultation to see how Caring Transitions can help you. CLICK HERE to contact Lisa and learn more.
Downsizing is a Step Forward
We want our clients to be ready for the transition into a new home and not think of it in any negative ways. While it can be sad to say goodbye to a home that was a major part of making a lifetime of memories, the excitement of this next chapter should drive your home search. With the right home sale and new home purchase, making a transition into a downsize home can give you financial and mobility freedom. You may not need a first floor master, and hopefully staircases are never an issue, but having the piece of mind that you can live without that added fear of climbing to your bedroom or carrying groceries upstairs from your garage can be an invaluable peace of mind. Small steps now can have a major impact for you in the future.
Our Resources and Friends are Yours Too!
Just as important as our Coldwell Banker resources is our connections to other businesses in our community. We work with our colleague and friend Lisa Schuster from Caring Transitions Chapel Hill, Durham, and N. Raleigh for clients at all different stages of their home transitions. Lisa Schuster is the CEO and owner of Caring Transitions Chapel Hill where she and her team offer services covering relocation, downsizing & decluttering, Estate Sales & Online Auctions, and also Home Clean-Outs. Offering a compassionate and stress-free option to help during a new and sometimes difficult time, Caring Transitions Chapel Hill can help you each step of the way. Even just packing and cleaning a home can be a daunting task which Lisa is here to help you with.
We interviewed Lisa to ask some general questions about navigating your home transition with the hopes to pass along this knowledge and information along to help you! See our Q&A below:
Q: Do most of your clients come to you with a need to downsize or can they come to you just as a place to talk and get the conversation started on their options beforehand?
A: Because we can tailor make a plan for anyone at any stage of their transition, we talk to people and work with people at various stages. Yes, some have started consultations, and that pre-planning part as much as a year in advance. That way they have time to declutter, look for assisted living places, put deposits down (or get on waiting lists if needed). Once those steps have been completed we can come in and start working with a family to space plan their new place, decluttering if needed, packing, relocation, and resettling into the new home.
Q: Do you suggest getting started in understanding the process and options before there is an immediate need?
A: Yes, absolutely! Many people say I don't think I need it but then a health crisis like a fall or decline in health makes living on their own unfeasible. So, assisted living becomes an emergent need (trying to locate a place upon discharge within days) instead of planned events having sometimes months to plan.
Q: What are some key factors people should consider when looking to downsize?
A: Location is one for sure. Amenities included at the community - some include all the meals, some only 2. Some are restaurant style and some are buffet style. For some people meals are a big deal, so you will want to see what style and how many meals are included.
Q: Downsizing isn’t a step backwards, it is often a step forward to more freedom and movability. Do you agree with this, what are your thoughts on today’s generation and their outlook on downsizing?
A: Absolutely! Seniors these days are more active than ever! In most senior living communities they are packed full of activities to keep seniors active and social. Keeping an active lifestyle and social life shows our seniors are living longer lives.
Q: What are some common challenges to look out for while starting the downsizing process?
A: I'm not sure it's a challenge, but I would recommend to seniors that they contact a professional first before they start purging items and just throwing everything away or donating it. Sometimes, things that they donate could have been sold in an estate or online auction to offset the cost of the relocation.
Q: Should home accessibility be a key to look out for while searching for a downsizing home? Do clients tend to have trouble thinking of the future while on a home search, may not need it now but, for example, first floor master, would be nice for your next steps.
A: Not every 'home' is going to be a house. It may be independent living or assisted living. Most of those are all designed with seniors in mind - 1st floor (or if they are multi level they have elevators), no stairs in the homes, everything has grab bars installed, etc.
Q: Is decluttering and removing of unused items/furniture a good first step for people to take?
A: Many people would like to age in place within their homes, so yes, decluttering their home is a great place to start. This can be going through each space and getting rid of all the disorganization, clearing the clutter, throwing away items that are clearly trash, and purging items that need to go to Goodwill. Remove trip hazards from rooms; this could be rugs or furniture pieces.
Q: Moving expenses and peace of mind with movers? Is this something you are able to help guide clients with?
A: Yes! When Caring Transitions does a move for you, we help with your space planning all the way through moving you in and unpacking you. We manage the entire move for you. You can literally go stay in a hotel for a night while we pack you and unpack you, and we will call you when it's done to come move in.
Q: Do you work with the families as well as home owners during this process? If someone besides the homeowner is a caregiver, can you work with them together?
A: We can work with anyone, providing the homeowner has given us authorization to do so.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add that would assist the consumer with more information about this process.
A: Caring Transitions is a national branded company, with 300 locations nationwide. Caring Transitions is different than the rest of the companies out there. One, we are a full-service company and leading experts in the field of senior relocation, downsizing, and estate sales. There are other companies out there that do just estate sales or relocation but we do it all....and can tailor a plan right for you!. We have been in many news articles, magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, The Wall Street Journal and most recently The Dr. Phil Show in May.
Secondly, all of our employees are employed by me, vetted, background checked and insured. Some companies out there don't employ their staff; they hire them for the day or on a per-job basis.
Also, we have a promotion going on for November and December 2023 for discounts off on Decluttering and Cleanouts ' Decluttering for the Holidays'. We are selling gift certificates this year, as a great gift idea for families to give to seniors in their life who might need help with decluttering. Guys who want to clean out the garage because they can't get the car in, may want to take advantage of this also!
I can also help families find an assisted living place, if needed. My biggest suggestion - Call for a free consultation and we will go over all their questions and make a plan! 919-267-1440 or 919-627-3303 *gift certificate information call 3303 directly.
Getting the conversation started is a great first step and you can easily fill out a contact us form on their website for a free consultation to see how Caring Transitions can help you. CLICK HERE to contact Lisa and learn more.
Just Get Started
Take the time to sit down and think about how you picture your lifestyle and home in a year, two years, even ten years… Your goals can be realistic, and we can help you reach them. When you feel the time's right and are ready to get the process started let us know and we can help you. The equity in your home may surprise you and all of the sudden that second home on the Crystal Coast goes from a dream to a reality. CLICK HERE to contact us at Carl Johnson Real Estate today and let us do the busy work for you while you just enjoy your hard work.
Take the time to sit down and think about how you picture your lifestyle and home in a year, two years, even ten years… Your goals can be realistic, and we can help you reach them. When you feel the time's right and are ready to get the process started let us know and we can help you. The equity in your home may surprise you and all of the sudden that second home on the Crystal Coast goes from a dream to a reality. CLICK HERE to contact us at Carl Johnson Real Estate today and let us do the busy work for you while you just enjoy your hard work.