Downsizing Move in your Future? Who is on your Transition Team?

If you have a large, downsizing move in your future you need to start planning. To speak bluntly, you need to start getting your ducks in a row. A significant move from a home of 30 plus years has many twists and turns that you should be preparing for.

I have always told people that moving is usually not something you can effectively do on your own, especially if it is a large move that requires substantial downsizing. You probably could do everything yourself, but the details and tasks are endless and at some point, you will need help, even if it is just to hire movers to help with the heavy lifting.

So, who is on your Transition Team?

Who are the people you can look to and assist you in this process? Who can provide council on the various transactions you will be going through, provide information and resources on the various services that can assist you and when you will need them? Sometimes it takes a village of professionals and family who can help make it a smoother process, protect your interests and help keep your sanity.

Who are these people?

Move Managers like myself at NextStep Transitions. We look at the whole project and help create timelines of what needs to happen when, who is doing it and when it needs to be done. We provide Downsizing services to help you go through your things and determine what goes with you and what the best options are for the excess. We coordinate all services like moving, junk removal, packing and unpacking and residence cleanout. If an Estate Sale is a good option to deal with the excess, we arrange for an Estate Sale Professional to handle that portions of the project. Throughout the process we maintain communications and updates with your realtor and your new residence community to ensure that we are all on the same page.

Financial Advisor

This is your person who can review your finances and provide council on what your financial situation is. Do you have enough money to sustain where you plan to live? Do you need the money from the sale of your home before you can move, or do you have the financial cushion to move first and deal with the house second? Both scenarios have very different plans of action to get you downsized and move.

Realtor

This person can provide market trends and identify what repairs or upgrades that are needed to sell your home. They review both inside and outside conditions. They can obtain quotes from their service partners for painting, landscaping and repairs. Your realtor negotiates on your behalf for the highest market price for your property.

Housing Referral Service

If you are looking at moving into a Senior Living or Retirement Community, these services are a must. They assist in finding the right community that fits your needs. They review your financial situation, your physical needs, the location you are looking for and what culture you would like. They coordinate visits with the appropriate communities and help to walk you through the fine print on each community, so you know what you need to before signing on the dotted line. Referral Services are paid by the community, not by you. They are paid a fee from the community you select. Their fees are the same, so they can remain neutral and unbiased.

Family

Do you have family members who are going to be involved in the process. Who needs to be communicated with and to what extent? Will they be able to provide some physical assistance as you start your downsizing journey? Most cases I recommend that my client start an email chain to family members that identifies what the current plans are so that everyone is in the loop and getting the same information. Open and clear communications throughout the process makes for a smoother transition.

My recommendation is that every person planning a transition, big or small, takes time to identify those people that can be your resources and assist you through this process.

Christy Urdal is owner of NextStep Transitions LLC, and a relocation and home transitions specialist in the greater Seattle area. She helps people with downsizing, move management, getting homes ready to go on the market and many other home and relocation related services. www.nextsteptransitions.com