Are you like many Albertans that dream of living somewhere else after retirement? Popular destinations include the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine coast or perhaps Arizona. Where else do Albertans like to go?

Before you leap it might be a good idea to look at the bigger picture and consider what such a move would actually mean to many facets of your life. For example.

1.  Consider the cost of living. Food, heating and water plus the cost of accommodation might cost you more or less than your current situation. If it costs less it could be a no brainer. What if it costs more? Can you afford to live in a more expensive area?

2.  Consider your quality of life. Many people want to enjoy mild winters, sea air and perhaps a view. All good

DOWNSIZING NUMBER 999 or so: The saga continues. Downsizing is an ongoing, if sometimes sad, exercise: the six foot tall Christmas tree has been downsized to a four-footer; it will be interesting to see how ‘those chosen to help decorate, in the form of up to six females’, will handle the smaller tree! It will prove to be interesting. A granddaughter and her husband have latched on to the clothes horse ...read treadmill, in the basement. It should be gone soon.

As an aside, one would think there would be dozens of takers for a [free] treadmill among family and youth oriented organizations...not so... telephone calls made, emails were sent to all and sundry...so we were grateful when our granddaughter stepped up to the plate....the treadmill was

It seems now that I have one, every other vehicle has that familiar handicap sticker hanging from its rear-view mirror stem! And now every handicap parking spot seems to be full. Just kidding; everything is normal. 

What a great idea it is, this recognizing the fact some of us are just not as nimble as we once were, or, perhaps it’s our partner, in that unfortunate state.

It is almost a worldwide offering to handicapped persons. Canada, USA, UK, Europe and Oceania are some of the countries on board. Regulations vary from country to country, but the emblem [shown above] is pretty constant. Penalties also vary. In the UK a £1000.00 [$1700.00] fine can be levied for abusing the usage of the handicap offering. 

Here in Edmonton, Canada the

There is essentially 2 ways to downsize. Spatial and Financial. Sometimes it might be a combination of both. Sometimes people downsize spatially and upsize financially.

Spatial downsizing is easily the most popular choice many of our clients make. After rattling around in the former family home for a few years it makes sense to move into something smaller. The upside to this move is of course less time spent cleaning. The downside is that this sometimes means less personal space for couples in particular.

Financial downsizing means simply reducing overhead. A smaller space often means lower heating bills, fewer maintenance bills and in some cases lower property taxes.

What Do Your Spatial Options Look Like?

To achieve a spatial downsize

According to one study in the United States more than 90% of older folks would prefer to stay in their home as they age. And this is perfectly understandable. However, fewer people actually do the research to confirm that the home can be adapted to suit or that they can afford the make the changes, maintain the home and perhaps buy in special services when required.

Here some ideas you may wish to consider:

1. Is the home suitable? Are you near key services for example healthcare, public transportation or shopping? What about the stairs? Is the home in a good state of repair? Can you clear the snow and do the yard work?

2. Bathroom. Can you still use the tub? Do you need to install a walk-in tub or shower? Can you add support rails

Whilst many of our clients face the need to downsize, I would estimate that probably more people push away the decision for as long as they can and some cases forever. If I had a dollar for every senior that said to me “I’m never moving. They can carry me out in a box” I would be a very rich man.

1.  Deterioration of Health

Many physical issues for example breaking a hip (very common) after a fall can be sudden. So can a heart attack or a stroke. Other issues like arthritis and rheumatism can develop over time. Most mind-based issues such as dementia or Alzheimer’s disease creep up on a person until one day that person can no longer live in their home.

2.  Too Many Things to Worry About

Perhaps all it takes is one big snow fall and you no

In general, there is going to be some benefit to making a move. There will also be some drawbacks. Let’s examine this.

Pros to Moving

1. You get an opportunity to lose the stairs in your home & perhaps all of the yardwork & snow clearing

2. You have a chance to free up your equity for other things

3. You can move nearer to your family

4. You can travel

5. Perhaps you can move to a safer or quieter area

Cons to Moving

1. You may have to get used to a smaller living space

2. You may have to give up some of your (unused) possessions

3. You may have to find new service providers i.e. hairdresser, doctor etc.

4. You may have to say goodbye to your neighbours

5. Moving can be stressful

Jean Young of Castledowns was the lucky winner of our prize draw on Saturday. Jean is entitled to a FREE home selling package worth $7100.

We look forward to assisting Jean with the sale of her home.

Congratulations Jean :)

About the author:

Stuart Neal is an accredited Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®). Many of his clients are downsizers. You can read more about the author of this blog by clicking this link – Stuart Neal Broker Owner & REALTOR®

Want more information about our lower cost FLAT FEE home selling programs? Please feel free to call our broker owner Stuart Neal at: 780-760-2014 or visit our home sellers page www.FlatFeeRealtyAdvisors.ca

In my last blog To Move or Not we looked at some general questions you might want to ask yourself.

This time around we encourage you to ask a few more pointed questions to see where this might lead you. Here they are:

1. Have you or your loved one been involved in a fall recently? If you live in the Edmonton area as I do, this is not only a worry it’s a distinct possibility for about 5 months of the year.

2. Are you finding it harder to bathe or use the bathroom facilities?

3. Are you becoming more worried about being alone in the house and having in accident or a health issue of some kind for example a heart attack or perhaps fainting?

4. Are you worried about the onset of mental or physical deficiencies for example:

Inevitably we all move. For people that have lived in their home for many years this decision become even more daunting as the years roll by.

Here is a list of simple questions that can be asked.

1. Is there financial stress caused by living in your existing home?

2. Is looking after the home and the yard becoming more a chore than a joy?

3. Is the home in need of major outside or inside maintenance and updating?

4. Are you rattling around in a large home and using less and less space for actual living?

5. What about the stairs. Are they a bother?

6. Has the quality of your neighbourhood changed? Is it better or worse than when you moved in?

7. Does the location of your current home allow you to access the