March 15, 2017

Boyle has been developing residential neighborhoods for 84 years and knows that finding the perfect home begins with finding the perfect neighborhood.  We have a variety of neighborhoods throughout the greater Memphis area that are ideal for seniors with smaller yards requiring less maintenance.  Once you’ve found your new home, here are some tips for getting ready for the move.

Photo via Pixabay by Jill111

If you’re thinking about making a move, you probably already know how overwhelming it can be. There’s a lot of planning to be done, as well as financial considerations and thinking about what sort of home will be right for you as you enter your golden years. If you’re downsizing, you might be feeling stressed at the thought of going through and paring down your belongings. However, with the right preparations, you can find the perfect home and make the move with as little stress as possible.

Here are some of the best tips for making a move as a senior.

Make a plan

The planning stage is one of the most important things you’ll go through when you’re thinking of buying or renting a new home. You’ll want to take into account your financial needs and what you’re able to do, how much help you’ll need for the actual physical move, and what sort of home is right for you. For instance, if your current home has stairs or is too large for you to take care of, you’ll want to consider downsizing.

Consider looking for help

Moving is a big process. It might be beneficial to you to find a real estate agent who can help you narrow down the search field when you’re ready to start looking, and they can also help you find financial assistance if you qualify. Many states offer assistance to seniors who fall in a certain financial bracket.

Pare down

Even if you’re not necessarily thinking about going smaller, it’s a good idea to go through your belongings before you begin packing and organize them according to what you want to keep, what you want to donate, and what you want to throw away. It can be difficult to give up certain items, especially if they hold sentimental value, but you can find ways to keep those memories without having them take up room in the new home. For instance, if you have several photo albums taking up room on your shelves, consider scanning them and putting them on a thumb drive for use in a digital picture frame, or simply upload them onto your computer.

Pack well

It’s important to pack smartly after you finally find the perfect home. Make sure you have a good selection of different-sized boxes and start in one area to keep like items together. It’s also a good idea to have a packing list that you can tape on the outside of each box to make unpacking–and locating items once you’re moved in–easier.

Finding a new home doesn’t have to be overwhelming and stressful. With a little help and some planning, you can find the right one for you, and as painlessly as possible.

Author: Jim Vogel