Lifestyles over 50 Finance & Money
The idea of selling your house and moving to a new location looks OVERWHELMING and MONUMENTAL! Living there for years surrounded by mementos and memories, the thought of leaving is more than you can bear. Your home is so familiar, so comfortable, and so much a part of you and your family’s life thinking of leaving leaves you with dread and loss.
Consequently, retirees often don’t want to make any big changes like this. But for most the times comes when staying in their current home is simply no longer safe or wise.
HERE’S A SECRET: when you look at the process step-by-step it begins to look far more manageable, much less overwhelming, and not so fearsome at all. This 6-part series will walk you through those steps.
My mother-in-law, Aggie, from Phoenix, AZ is the perfect illustration. Aggie provides a great example of a retiree and widow who dreaded, even avoided the thought of moving! Widowed in 2005, Aggie stayed in her 2,600 sq ft house, depending on the kids to help with home upkeep and driving her for her shopping and appointments. That all ended when Aggie fell and broke her shoulder in 2014. Result: she had to move to daughter Gina’s house. Aggie still resisted selling the house. She loved staying there when my husband Michael and I came to visit. She could be in her old home for a few days with us knowing we were there to watch and transport her and do needed household repairs.
Aggie was chronically worried about home maintenance, housekeeping, and yardwork. The home was showing signs of deterioration, but budget constraints and vulnerability to exploitive contractors were a hindrance. Her health issues contributed to the challenge. Besides, she had to depend on her family with their own children and very busy lives.
These were huge obstacles so why resist moving?Very simply: fear of the unknown. She dreaded different surroundings, leaving friends and neighbors, giving up treasures and possessions, packing and sorting, the physical exertions of moving, and her loss of independence.
She was a creature of habit. Her unhappy situation was more tolerable than thinking about change. But Aggie discovered a surprise: she made the move and was happy she did. Retirees make new friends, enjoy life more and wish they’d moved sooner!
Such a life changing event isn’t done lightly. You’ll have to ask hard questions. “Did I work so hard all my life for this stressful lifestyle?” “Is this how I want to spend the next 10, 15 or 20 years?” “Might moving make life easier, more enjoyable and healthier?” You’ll have to dig a bit deep with these questions.
This article is the first article in the Should I Stay or Should I Go series. The next will feature Concrete Steps to Overcome the Fear of Change.
Denise Simone
REALTOR®, ABR®, e-PRO®, SRS
Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)
RE/MAX® Action Realty
1126 Horsham Road
Maple Glen, PA 19002
Office: 215-358-1100
Cell: 908-391-5669
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website:http://www.denisesimone.REALTOR