Seniors: How to Smooth Your Move

Author: Andrea Needham

Moving can be stressful for people of any age, but as a senior citizen, you may be extra prone to the upheaval of selling your current home, finding a new one, and working through the moving process. If this is true for you, consider hiring a mover specially dedicated to helping seniors make this taxing transition easier. These tips and tricks from PRK Williams Building Group you can use to smooth your move.

Selling and Buying

As you begin the process of selling your home and buying your new place, consider hiring a real estate agent to assist you through both ends of the process. A good agent, preferably one who regularly works with senior citizens, can help you with pricing, showings, inspections, offers, and the closing on your current house. They can also help you find what you’re looking for in your new house.

That said, though, when you’re choosing the location and features of your new place, you need to do some research of your own. Whether you’re staying in your current city or moving to a new state, get a sense of the housing market. Do some searches about median home prices (currently a little over $389K), the number of homes for sale, the number of days houses are typically on the market, and the months of supply (how many months it’s likely to take for all the houses currently listed to sell). Knowing this information allows you to better plan your home search and budget.

Considering a Rental

If you’re not firmly set on purchasing a new home, think about renting. Downsizing to an apartment, townhouse, or condo may lower your costs. It may also significantly reduce the time you spend on household chores and maintenance and may even make the moving process itself less stressful.

Your real estate agent can help you in your search for an appropriate rental property. Before you begin the hunt, get an idea of the neighborhoods that fit your price range and lifestyle, and determine the minimum square footage and features you want your rental to have. Also, set your budget, figuring in the cost of required utilities.

Working With a Mover

When you’re ready to make your move, look for a mover that specializes in senior moves. Such businesses offer a full range of services, from packing to unpacking. You work with a manager who coordinates every aspect of your move, even to the point of working with your real estate agent, helping you downsize, planning the layout of your new place, setting up utilities in your new home, and taking care of your change-of-address notifications.

Begin by researching companies online first, noting services offered and reading reviews. When you’ve narrowed your search to two or three likely candidates, contact them to set up a consultation. Be sure to get all quotes in writing, and don’t hesitate to ask for deals, discounts, or credits if you’re concerned about costs.

Settling In

While moving is always somewhat stressful, working with a real estate agent and a company specializing in senior moves may give you more peace of mind and help you settle into your new home more quickly and easily than you may have imagined.

With more than 150 years of combined experience, PRK Williams Building Group  specializes in custom home building, move-in ready homes, remodeling and general contracting. Call 319-538-2989.

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