SRES® Blog

Stay-at-home orders during the pandemic have given people a chance to take a close look at their homes. Some are seeing flaws. Lots of them. For clients who have decided that they want to make their homes more functional and aesthetically pleasing, give them some insight on remodeling trends by sharing Fixr’s “ 2020 Single-Family Home Construction and Remodeling Trends” https://bit.ly/2LIyeq6 . Fixr surveyed construction industry professionals, including architects, builders, and sustainability professionals, to get their take on the top single-family home trends. Here are some highlights

If you provide care for a parent on an occasional, part-time, or full-time basis, you may need a little support yourself. Many children of older parents underestimate the number of extra chores they are taking on to “help Mom out” or to “take care of Dad.” Miscalculating the investment can also mean misjudging the toll on their own lives. Protect Your Emotional Health Take “me” time – If this means asking someone else to watch your loved one for a few hours, then ask. You may need to look into adult day care programs or respite care programs through your local hospice or other organization

Specialists in senior moves can provide valuable services during challenging transitions. It’s imperative, however, that you like, trust, and “click” with this individual. They will be helping you work through some pretty tough tasks, so make sure you are comfortable with them from the beginning. Ideally, interview more than one candidate, in person, and discuss these topics: Credentials Have they received special training or passed a qualifying exam? Senior move specialists may hold a several certifications, including (but not limited to) these organizations: NASMM – National Association of

Elder law attorneys cover a wide variety of legal areas, potentially including guardianship, long-term care planning, knowledge of government benefit programs, powers of attorney, estate planning, advance medical directives, elder abuse issues, tax law, retirement and pensions, asset protection, trust planning, and contract law. The American Bar Association has approved the National Elder Law Foundation as the only certifying organization for Elder Law Attorneys in the U.S. At this time, there are just over 500 Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELAs) nationwide. Other attorneys also cover

Life planning, like so many other things, is often harder to begin than to finish. Society shies away from discussing death and its impact on others. As a result, many things are often left undone until it's too late. In some cases, this just makes it harder for the person tasked with finding and pulling together all the necessary information. In today’s digital age, this can mean assets are lost forever. Step 1. Start the Conversation You can't finish what you never start. To get organized and select an approach that feels comfortable, review the downloadable guides and workbooks offered by

You’re thinking about selling your home. Maybe you’re retiring, downsizing, or a major life event has made you consider a move. A Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®) has unique training and experience in helping home buyers and sellers in your situation. Why ask a Seniors Real Estate Specialist® to assist you? An SRES® understands that the decision to sell can be difficult. Selling a home can be an emotional time, potentially involving other life decisions. An SRES® understands the issues facing older adults. By taking a no-pressure approach, they can help you navigate your choices and may

The SECURE Act (The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019,) a law aimed at improving people’s retirement security, was signed into law at the end of 2019 and has tax implications for those inheriting money from IRAs and 401k accounts. Before, those inheriting such funds could take distributions over their lifetime. But that timeframe has now been reduced to 10 years, meaning that if you’re inheriting an IRA or a 401(k) from someone who passed away on or after January 1, 2020, you’ll need to withdraw those assets within 10 years. They’re taxed as ordinary income and

So, you’ve decided to move into a new community. You’ve packed the essentials and said hello to your new sanctuary. Once all the hustle and bustle of moving is over, what’s next? An adventure is what’s next. Now is the time to explore your new habitat and find the cool opportunities that your living space has to offer. This is the next and best chapter of your life. Types of Communities and Amenities There are numerous communities that are geared towards people of the same age and interests. Active retirement communities ( https://www.55places.com ) offer various activities and amenities to

When interviewing potential assisted living facilities, it’s a good idea to have a standard list of questions to ask each one so you can make relevant comparisons. This may include: What levels of care does this facility offer? What abilities and degrees of self-sufficiency are required of residents? What happens when these abilities change? Do you conduct an initial patient health assessment before admission? How often are assessments repeated? Are they written and available for the family’s review? What is your staff-to-resident ratio during the day? At night? Is a nurse on-site around-the

1. Start with the easy stuff . Eliminate anything that’s broken, damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-the-way spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Progress in these "easier" parts of your home will help you build momentum and tackle the harder-to-decide areas. 2. Ask yourself, "If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run out and replace it?" If you wouldn't miss it or need to replace it, it's probably not worth keeping. 3. Don't be a storage unit for others. If friends or relatives have left things for you to store, it's time to ask them to pick up their possessions—or