Below are home sales statistics for the two largest counties in the Kansas City area:  Jackson (Missouri side) and Johnson (Kansas side), as reported by Heartland MLS.  Stats are compared to August 2007.  Commentary follows.

Jackson County

Pending Contracts:  775, down 12.13%

Average Sales Price: down 10.73%

New Listings:  down 18.84%

Inventory:  down 12.12%

Johnson County

Pending Contracts:  619, down 17.30%

Average Sales Price:  down .3%

New Listings:  down 13.9%

Inventory:  down 6.48%

Have we hit bottom yet?  Probably not.  Know that the second half of the year always has less sales than the first six months of the year.  Most people want to move in the spring/summer.  Homes show better at that time, kids are out of school, there is more daylight hours to show homes, few holidays to work around. 

Less inventory, or new listings, means that those who have to move have less to choose from.  Sellers who hold back listing their home now cause less inventory, which will eventually balance out the market.

If you are thinking of selling now, or next year, email me for sales statistics on your particular neighborhood. 

Thank you for reading my blog, comments are welcome!

Tips for A Successful Senior Relocation Process - Part 2

Relocating seniors can be very emotional, time consuming, and expensive.  Most seniors seem to wait until they have to move, due to creeping mental disabilities or physical limitations.  Children and caregivers of seniors are wise to start planning for a relocation prior to a forced move.  By talking and planning several months--or years--before the move, all parties are much more relaxed, open and adjust better to the actual move.  In addition, financial considerations have been researched, locations scouted and needs and wants prioritized for the senior. 

If you are at this stage and you are ready to move forward with the relocation, follow these tips for a smoother move.

Tip #5  - Visit several types of senior housing

Most people get excited about checking out a new home -- many seniors do not!  They can feel like it's 'the last stop'.  There can be  a perception that senior facilities are mismanaged, with bad food, incompetent staff and unclean facilities. That is true of some places, but not all.  Because of the increased demand for senior housing, many newer facilities offer much more than just a room:  there are apartments with kitchens, restaurant style dining options, laundry service, and all kinds of activities.  Some are independent living only; some offer extended care that covers memory loss and extra help as seniors age into different types of health needs.  Visiting all kinds of housing with the senior shows them the choices available, and the costs associated with the different options.

Tip #6 - Have the senior get involved

It's a much better environment if the relocating senior is involved with the decision making--so get him or her out to look!  Perhaps they have friends already in senior housing, or there is housing close by in the neighborhood that feels familiar and comfortable to them.  As with choosing a house, the older adults can get a 'feeling' for a certain place that fits their needs and wants--something that will feel like home.  Senior housing managers love to show of their facilities to touring families, so visit as many as you can and compare the options.

Tip#7 - Get help for the move

Moving can be a stressful situation for anyone--for seniors who may have lived in the same location for 20, 30, 40 years or more--it's an extreme lifestyle change.  They often have rooms and basements full of furniture, clothes, decor, etc that needs to be sorted, boxed, given away or sold.  That's where a Senior Move Manager can help.  A move manager will declutter the home, help sort through items, arrange an estate sale, pack possessions and unpack at the new location.  This process can take a few days or a few months but is well worth the cost.  The senior client has control over the process and decisions, while the manager sorts, labels and packs up items ready to be moved.  Move managers can charge by the hour or by the job, and some senior housing will contribute to the cost of this service as a courtesy to the incoming resident.

Tip #8 -  Be positive

Many seniors are afraid of moving.  It's a big change and often overwhelming for them to think about.  They may have a negative attitude, 'drag' out the process and come up with excuses not to even talk about options.  By keeping a positive attitude, pointing out the benefits of the move, securing a place that is well maintained and familiar through several visits, the process will proceed smoothly.  Almost like a child, when a senior feels the situation is being forced, they can rebel and refuse to participate.  By talking about moving plans early, especially when the senior is still mobile and active, both parties can move ahead with research and plans in place that will make the transition better for all involved.

I enjoy working with seniors and their families as they make plans to move into older adult communities.  If you would like more information on this process and how I can help you, along with my senior move manager partner, please email me.

Thank you for reading my blog!  Comments are welcome, I can respond to questions directly via email.

Helping Elders Decide When to Relocate to Senior Housing-Part One

This is an event many baby boomers are facing right now:  moving their parents to a senior living facility while selling their parents' current residence.  Having worked with seniors who are making such a move, here are some tips for the seniors..and the children who are helping to make the transition a smooth one.

Tip #1:  Start early planting the seed about a move.

Older sellers are often overwhelmed just by the thought of moving.  It can be difficult to get them started to accept the decision that a move is in their best interest.   They can feel like they are being 'forced out' of their home and resist even looking at options in senior housing.  That's why it's best to start early, even a few years before it's 'necessary' to make the move.  Open a dialogue with your parents about how they plan to live when the stairs are too much to handle, when the maintence of a house is too costly, when driving can be dangerous for themselves and others.  Starting this conversation when your parents are still  active and sharp will pay off later. 

Tip #2:  It's better to have the senior decide to move than having an event force the move.

Most seniors resent their children making life changing decisions for them.  Even with failing health, they want to be in control of their own life direction.  This is why it is so important to have the senior decide, before it's required, that a move  will eventually be necessary.  Talk about the safety issues of living alone when older; the importance of access to services and and assistance; the joy of socialization and greater independence without the burden of a house.

Tip #3:  Ask the senior how s/he wants to live as the aging process accelerates.

Investigate various housing options with the senior and see where s/he will be the most comfortable.  A location near children and grandkids? Someplace with lots of social actvities and outings?  An apartment with a kitchen or a facility that provides all meals? Near a hospital? In a different climate or city? Senior living facilities vary in amenities, size of rooms, location, price, food quality, the list goes on.  Visit different types and see which one is a good  match for your relatives.

Tip #4: Financing the move--find out the particulars.

Many seniors feel they 'can't afford' to move, even if a move is necessary. Most senior living housing will try to work out a financial payment plan that fits the resident's needs. Often, the seemingly high monthly costs even out to the same monthly bills a senior faces in their  home: car and home insurance, phone and utility bills, home maintence, grocery bills, property taxes, etc.  In addition, the senior housing offers more services and piece of mind regarding safety and supervision.  However, it is better to investigate the details of financing now rather than later, when an incident forces a move within just a couple of weeks' time.  Be prepared by knowing how best to work out the financials of a move regarding assets, costs, and deposits in relation to needs.

The happiest seniors I know who have successfully transitioned to senior housing have one thing in common:  they decided to make the move in advance and were not forced to move due to an accident or failing health.

Part Two of this blog will focus on tips for actually preparing for and moving the senior to their  new home.

I welcome your comments!  For a personal response, please email me.

Thank you for reading my blog.