Many clients come to a time whereby their home no longer suits their needs, but after so many years living in said property, the prospect of moving somewhere new is frankly rather daunting.
With many years estate agency experience I've been called to numerous properties, quite often by older clients to talk through what to do for the best.
Typically they have lived there for many years and feel very much 'at home', despite the fact that they find it difficult living in their home, whether that be due to managing the stairs, lack of public transport, etc.
This begs the question of what should they do? It is obviously a very delicate issue, and in addressing it one needs to be as sensitive and diplomatic as possible. Nevertheless, I'm afraid the simple fact is that the status quo simply isn't tenable in the longer term. As hard as it is, you need to face the inevitable.
The most important thing however is to be decisive. I'm not saying it's easy, but you need to be unswerving in your resolve to move and be as objective as possible. After all, when all's said and done, we're only talking about bricks and mortar. You will still have all your memories.
The next thing you need to deal with all of the possessions accumulated over the years. My best advice is to be ruthless and get rid of it! And there are plenty of ways of doing so and making some cash at the same time. Try a local car boot sale or online selling platforms like Gumtree. Alternatively you could donate to local charity shops or even to friends and relatives.
The other issue I have come across in the past is that when older people want to move it can be their friends or family that aren't keen. That's all very well that they're concerned but if those friends and family can't guarantee the long-term care and support that will be required then this is something that will need to be of paramount importance in where they should live.
Essentially, my advice about moving home in later life is to do so when you are fit and competent enough to handle the task in a positive frame of mind, rather than have it forced upon you. In doing so, of course, you need to be sure that you choose an agent who will genuinely help you right through the whole process. Short of a genuine referral from a trusted friend or family member, it's best to get three agents around and compare them. Also, if you can, visit their office unannounced to see how they deal with people just walking in - that is a great way to see how they will be to your potential purchasers!
Ultimately, with a good, trustworthy agent on your side, moving home can be a great adventure at any age. At Belgarum we have decades worth of experience in selling property and as well as being highly professional we're also a helpful and friendly bunch too!
