In my tenure as a local realtor I’ve learned so much than I ever thought possible. One thing that I’ve recently been exposed to is the process of moving senior citizens. These wonderful folks have often lived in the same home for 40 plus years and are now completely at a loss as to how to downsize or as I like to say “right size”.
There are so many things to do, to worry about and to manage and let’s face it, they’re usually not spring chickens with bounds of energy any longer. First there lies the daunting task of deciding where to move: an apartment, a condo, an assisted living community, or a retirement village. The choices are endless. With input from friends and family members, it can be overwhelming. As your Buffalo Grove Realtor, my job is to make my client’s move a little less overwhelming
Next, they’re faced with the stuff they’ve collected over the past 40 years. How do they decide what to keep, what to donate and what to sell? What will fit in their new place? How do they learn to detach emotions and memories to the “things” they’ve had around for so long. Remember, I’m the one who still has my first “business suit” from my first job. I understand the attachments.
Now they’ve got to figure out how to pack, pick and manage movers and set up their new digs. It’s tough. It’s emotional and it’s tiresome.
The good news is that I’ve learned about some great companies that can help with this process and lift the burden from the seniors.
Jennifer Prell, President of Paxem, Inc., knows just about everything there is to know about moving seniors. She is a Senior Housing and Care Expert and says of all the things Paxem offers; they specialize in offering a smooth, stress free transition from one home to the next.
She says, “Seniors don’t move like we move. It’s difficult and more stressful as they go from one home to another. Most times, their house is filled with a lifetime of memories and the thought of letting even some go is quite emotional.”
Paxem does everything from offering advice about every senior community in NW Illinois to staging and preparing your home for resale. They’ll pack, hire movers, transfer utility bills, run errands, set up new home, hang art and more.
One thing that Paxem doesn’t do is estate sales, which is a fabulous way to sell your unwanted items. They do recommend them, but just like I specialize in finding you the perfect home, each of these companies has their own specialty and isn’t only geared to senior any longer.
According to Wikipedia, “The most common reason for an estate sale is the death of the property owner, and the consequent need to quickly liquidate the deceased’s belongings. The survivors may have no interest in the bulk of the personal belongings left by the deceased, or may simply lack space to keep the belongings.”
Bruce Treadway of Caring Transitions in one of a few Estate Sales specialists I spoke with. He said that five years ago, as Wikipedia suggests, the majority of his clients were executioners of wills. Now, about half of his clients are downsizing and need to get rid of their stuff as well as make some good money from it. As a certified and accredited antique appraiser, Bruce knows his goods. He reaches clients by both public and private auctions that are attended to private antiquity dealers and collectors. His company is unique in that the high-end items from estate sales across the country can be bid on by anyone online. He said the most unique thing he’s ever sold at an estate sale is a Napoleonic Death Mask from 18th Century Europe. WOW!
Something Special is another estate sale company that holds sales in the communities I serve as a realtor. Dave Baker explained that they don’t only specialize in antiques. They sell all things in an estate sale, new and old. Hobbies and collectibles change of the years, as does what people want to buy.(Remember beanie babies, anyone?) Most of his sales, but not all, are on a 30% straight commission. After the sale he refers clients to preferred donation places and junk removal companies.
Chris Acosta works hand and hand with her husband at their company, Key Estate Sales. Boy does she have funny stories about some of the items she’s seen and sold. Her parents owned an antique store so she grew up among them. With over 800 successful sales to day, she says their experience is key in making them so good at what they do. She too has seen an increase in downsizing and sadly of the number of sales conducted due to foreclosures. However she’s also conducted plenty of sales this year due to people wanting to redecorate and just change looks in their current home. Included in their commission is advertising, insurance, mailings etc. She also packs up and has a local charity come gather anything left over from the sale. Oddest thing she’s sold (that can be printed), a set of teeth with gold fillings.
I encourage all my readers not to be scared of the unknowns involved with moving. Along with my help, and the many other specialty companies around to guide you, you’ll be completely fine!
If you want to learn more about Long Grove tips for moving Senior Citizens , the Buffalo Grove community, schools, local events, updated market statistics, utility company names and numbers, recommended local vendors, and real estate checklists, visit my website: The Judy Greenberg Group, call me at 847-602-5435, or email me at info@buffalogrovehomes.com.
Judy's websites, www.movetolonggrove.com , www.buffalogroveareahomes.com, and www.vernonhills-homes-for-sale.com will provide you all the information regardless as to whether you are a potential buyer or seller, lessor or lessee.
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and have very little knowledge of the best vets, dog groomers, pet sitters, in town etc. I have asked my friends with dogs for their recommendations. I have compiled all of my friend's favorite places below. To the right is a picture of my twin boys with their new puppy.