Thinking About a Retirement Community Move? Start Preparing Early
Scott P. Rogers
If you're considering a move to a retirement community -- even if it's still a few years away -- now is the perfect time to start thinking through the logistics. Most local retirement communities operate on a waitlist system, where you'll begin receiving calls when a home or apartment that matches your preferences becomes available.
The good news is you don't need to be constantly ready to sell your home or move at a moment's notice.
But, to reduce the stress and simplify the transition when that call comes, here are three things you can start doing -- slowly -- in the years (or months) leading up to your move...
1. Start passing things along.
If you've lived in your current home for many years, chances are you've accumulated a fair amount of belongings. Now is a great time to begin giving meaningful items to children or grandchildren, or donating things you no longer need. Spreading this out over time makes the process far more manageable.
2. Tackle those lingering home projects.
There are likely some home repairs or updates you have delayed over the past few years -- whether it's repainting, fixing a leaky faucet, or replacing aging carpet. Taking care of these projects gradually will make your home more market-ready when the time comes, and it will help avoid a last-minute rush.
3. Declutter and organize.
You don't need to declutter or downsize everything all at once, but if you start to declutter now (slowly, over time) it will make the eventual home sale preparations a lot easier when that time comes.
By slowly working through these three steps, you'll likely feel far less overwhelmed if you get that call letting you know that your ideal home at a retirement community has just become available.
The good news is you don't need to be constantly ready to sell your home or move at a moment's notice.
But, to reduce the stress and simplify the transition when that call comes, here are three things you can start doing -- slowly -- in the years (or months) leading up to your move...
1. Start passing things along.
If you've lived in your current home for many years, chances are you've accumulated a fair amount of belongings. Now is a great time to begin giving meaningful items to children or grandchildren, or donating things you no longer need. Spreading this out over time makes the process far more manageable.
2. Tackle those lingering home projects.
There are likely some home repairs or updates you have delayed over the past few years -- whether it's repainting, fixing a leaky faucet, or replacing aging carpet. Taking care of these projects gradually will make your home more market-ready when the time comes, and it will help avoid a last-minute rush.
3. Declutter and organize.
You don't need to declutter or downsize everything all at once, but if you start to declutter now (slowly, over time) it will make the eventual home sale preparations a lot easier when that time comes.
By slowly working through these three steps, you'll likely feel far less overwhelmed if you get that call letting you know that your ideal home at a retirement community has just become available.
