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| How To Support Both Patients and Care Givers, Well Within radio 03/10 |
| In-Depth: A Caregiver’s Voice, Fox 9 News 02/10 |
| Alzheimer's Speaks, AlzheimersTeam.com 01/09 |
| Visiting Angels Senior Homecare, Radio Interview 10/08 |
| Lifestage Drives Sales: New Trend in Residential Real Estate, Builder Radio 10/08 |
| Selling to Seniors: It’s the Lifestyle!, Builder Radio 10/08 |
| The Upside of Downsizing, Lillie Suburban News 10/08 |
| Real Estate Radio USA Episode 98, Real Estate Radio 04/08 |
| Lori La Bey Holds Age Sensitivity Course, Broker Agent Magazine 02/07 |
| To Overcome Seniors' Objections, Focus on the Decision-Making Process, Selling to Seniors - The 50+ Marketing Report, Washington 02/07 |
| Amenisizing Your Life™ Series, Senior Lifestyle Trends Newsletter 01/12/2007 |
| The Flicccck Factors™ Series - Eight Secrets to Capture The Senior Market, Senior Lifestyle Trends Newsletter 12/15/2006 |
| Veteran agent centers on seniors, RE/MAX Times 03/1/05 |
| Making the move of a lifetime, Star Tribune 01/24/04 |
| Simple measures can help consumers reduce moving costs, Star Tribune 08/10/02 |
| HomeZone: Downsizing means parting with possessions, Star Tribune 03/16/02 |
| Deciding to move to smaller quarters can be difficult!, Star Tribune 03/2/02 |
| Senior Advisors, Pioneer Press 08/04/01 |
| Senior Specialist, Good Age News 07/01 |
| tom link, testing 07/07/10 |
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Broker Agent Magazine 02/07
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Real estate agent with RE/MAX associates plus, Lori La Bey will be offering her Age Sensitivity Course to North High School students several times throughout 2007. La Bey is the owner of "Classic Lifestyles®," which assists seniors and their families, as well as builders, mortgage brokers, attorneys, accountants, financial planners and others involved in housing for seniors.
"The Age Sensitivity class is taught at the high school level and is a fun-filled hour with hands on simulation exercises and stories the kids can relate to. We discuss their impact on not only our elderly but with and every person they com in contact with," stated La Bey.
The activities include simulations where students are able to experience what it is like to walk with various foot problems senior citizens experience, see when their vision is impaired, open a prescription bottle with arthritis, and speak after a stroke.
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Selling to Seniors - The 50+ Marketing Report, Washington 02/07
by Jean Van Ryzin |
When it comes to selling senior housing, the biggest obstacle is overcoming the many objections older adults have to making this huge transition in their lives. Deciding to leave their family home of many years to move into a smaller or age-restricted home or community can take anywhere from one to five years, says Lori La Bey, president of Senior Lifestyle Trends, Shoreview, MN. An experienced real estate agent, La Bey has walked many older clients through the process of selling the family home and moving someplace new. She believes there are eight defining factors that all people in this age group share when it comes to making the decision to move. Understanding these factors is the key to helping older adults navigate the process, she tells STS. "It used to be that older adults had so few choices, many said the only way they'd leave their home is feet first. Now, there are almost too many options, and they can be extremely confusing to people," Le Bey says. Marketers can help seniors navigate the process by focusing on the eight factors that define their decision making, La Bey contends. These factors are:
Financing: Of paramount concern to older adults is that they'll have enough money and their assets will be protected. The bottom line is-can they make ends meet if they move to a new home?
Loss: Aging is a period of loss … of friends and family, physical abilities, mobility, personal belongings and many other things, La Bey says. Moving to a new setting often involves loss, but it must be seen as a gain as well.
Independence: Fear of becoming dependent on someone else is a huge motivating factor for older adults. "There is not a person willing to hand over this liberty," La Bey says.
Control: Older adults may find they need assistance with different aspects of their lives, but they don't want to relinquish control over their decisions.
Comfort: Any change must involve a level of comfort, both physically and mentally, La Bey says.
Change: Change "scares most of us half to death," La Bey says. Help seniors realize that although change involves leaving their comfort zone, no day is exactly like another and the world is always changing.
Confidence: So many older adults start second-guessing themselves, La Bey says. "I tell them, 'Your gut has served you well so far, don't abandon it now."
Kids: Adult children are a huge factor in older adults'decision-making process when it comes to moving. The kids can be a help or a hindrance. It's important to understand where the children and grandchildren fit into the picture and what their motivations and desires are. "Can the family communicate openly, honestly and respectfully together?" La Bey asks. "Or does the patter of little feet and grandchildren affect one in making a decision one way or another? By addressing these questions, you can avoid huge issues and reduce stress factors."
Working effectively with seniors is really about seeing things through their eyes, La Bey says. "It's about reading people. Being an outside person, often you can see things they can't."
Lori La Bey
Senior Lifestyle Trends®
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Senior Lifestyle Trends Newsletter 01/12/2007
by Lori La Bey |
So what exactly is the Amenisizing Your Life™ Series? Amenisizing Your Life™ as you will see, can revitalize your lifestyle. All you have to do is analyze what amenities and what size home fits your needs. Amenisizing Your Life™ is the new phrase for, "downsizing". Downsizing was the initial term used for seniors who were selling their homes and moving to what was suppose to be a smaller home. This as we found, was not the case for many of our seniors. They are motivated by picking the right amenities and size for the individual or couple making the move. Thus, the phrase "Amenisizing Your Life™".
Funny thing is, the Amenisizing Your Life™ Series works at all ages and stages of life. Everyone wants their home, to fit their needs, every time they purchase. If you are first time buyer, someone with an expanding family, maybe a divorce or death changes needs or you are adding a vacation home to your ownership portfolio. Amenisizing Your Life™ is what we all should be doing when making a move.
To further break down this word, I have divided it into 11 sections, one for each letter of the word. They are as follows:
A= Amen for amenities
This includes, but is not limited to location, style of home, floor plan, specialty features and services for physical, emotional and psychological needs both now and in the future.
M= Manageable moving
The real estate industry as a whole is getting educated on what your needs are and how to help you through the process. Do not forget to tap into them, or friends or family that have gone through the process already. There are so many resources to assist buyers and sellers when moving. One can easily find a professional support team to help them through the move. Common team members are: Realtors, Moving Consultants, Movers, Estate Sale Companies, Attorneys, Accountants, Financial Planners, Mortgage Bankers, Handyman…
E= Evolving experience
The expectations and needs of today's buyers and sellers are ever changing and the industry is ready to listen to what you, the consumer has to say. Do not be shy. Stay in control and let your needs be known. Ask and they will answer!
N= Natural and normal
Amenisizing Your Life™ is a natural and normal part of any move, at any stage of life. Just because you are a senior does not make this move different from any other. You go through the same process, your needs and expectations have changed, that is all.
I= Intentional Investigation
Remember it is smart to look at all possibilities and options available to you. Do not let terms and pricing scare you from looking. You maybe greatly surprised once you analyzed the total package. Builders, developers, and agents are always playing with words and programs to keep you on your toes and trying to appear different from their competition, even when they may not be.
S= Surprising style, size and social supports
By looking at all the housing options available to you, you will not be disappointed. Developers and builders are constantly looking at change to gain an edge over their competition. This characteristic will never go away. Style, size, pricing, services, settings, management… are all different. I have not seen two identical housing alternatives yet!
I= Increased interests
By allowing yourself to make this move you will enable yourself to take advantage of things you truly enjoy. Put together a list of things you always wanted to do but never had time to do. Now is your time to accomplish them.
Z= Zest "in your zone"
People are amazed after Amenisizing Their Life how much freedom they feel and zest for life. It is like starting fresh and new again, with increased energy to do the things you have always wanted to do.
I= Intelligent Independence
When you look at your life in terms of today and tomorrows needs, and take the time to explore the housing options available to you, you ensure the best possible move for yourself, which always maximizes independence.
N= New and necessary
Educating yourself, evaluating your alternatives and empowering yourself with knowledge to prepare yourself to make a solid decision when the time is right for you. What can be wrong with that plan? By being prepared and staying in control, you have a higher chance of avoiding a potential crisis in the future.
G= Glorious gift
In the end, Amenisizing Your Life™ truly is a glorious gift to give not only yourself, but also your family and friends. For when you are in control, they are not. There is no discomfort in the decision making process. No one is forcing you to move. You have maintained your independence through your decision making process.
Lori La Bey
Senior Lifestyle Trends
651-748-4714
info@seniorlifestyletrends.com
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Senior Lifestyle Trends Newsletter 12/15/2006
by Lori La Bey |
We have always used "AGE" to define target groups for advertising: "teens, young adults, seniors"… the list goes on. In addition, we define "seniors" as being "different". The difference is no one is afraid of being a "preteen" or "young adult". These groups' do not worry about finances, housing, putting food on the table or being able to buy prescriptions. The words "SENIOR", "55+", "RETIRED"… refer to an "older" time in life.
There is a problem with using "age" to target market. Age has nothing to with our health, wealth, or mental well-being all of which are at the base of our decisions.
Personally, I struggle every time I use one of these titles. Each ties itself to being "OLD". Old of course, is not where any of us want to be.
Let me share a story with you that will illustrate why I do not like using "AGE TAGS". For me, old was always ten years older than my parents. It was safe that way. There would be no crisis to deal with. This mind framed worked for a long time. That is until my father, at the of age 69, was diagnosed with cancer. Instantly, his body became "old", and how things changed. "Old" hit the whole family hard. "Old" could not be changed. "It" had arrived and there was no going back to the way things were. We would not be seeing Dad water ski or do so many vital things again. Eventually, the disease got the better of my Father and he has since passed to a better life.
"OLD" is a tag, Americans do not take lightly. Advertisers have done an about face on their focus market and now target "lifestyle issues" not "age".
As a Nation, we need to understand and embrace yet another "lifestyle" change. We need to set aside our fears and get educated as to the vast options available to us during our total life. As we age and approach the final quarter of our life, (previously categorized as being a "senior"), we will each find we fall into one of three basic categories. During this fourth stage of life, we may move within these three categories. Industry experts have used the definitions below for years, though they have never really made it to the open public. Personally, I think the three categories hit the mark perfectly. Each has nothing to do with how "old" we are. They are fun, simple and to the point. They are the "GO GOES", the "SLOW GOES", and the "NO GOES". They define people by activity level, which ties into our independence level and lifestyle needs.
Over the years I have found eight defining factors, common in the decision making process of these three groups. All eight factors weigh heavily in most any purchase or lifestyle change. Understanding these factors, assist marketers and individuals alike in the decision making process. I call these factors "The FLICCCCK Factors™". They stand for the following:
F= FINANCING, Will I have enough money? This is not just monthly income such as social security and pensions, but looking at portfolios, real estate, cash, and other assets owned. How should I structure my funds? Are my assets protected? Bottom line can I make ends meet?
L= LOSS, This could be loss of a spouse, a pet, a home, a drivers license, one of our senses, our mobility, personal belongings, a community… and the list goes on. The type of loss can vary greatly from one individual to another.
I= INDEPENDENCE, Is one of the biggest worries of all. There is not a person willing to hand over this liberty. Why would we? This one makes us stand tall and proud. This is the heart of being an American. Fear of becoming dependent on others can be over whelming. Do not under estimate the power of this factor.
C= CONTROL, Loss of control ties in to our independence. Control of our life and choice of lifestyle is the core of our being. Remember, just because you need some assistance does not mean you need to give up your control. Do not over look this basic need. Embrace it!
C=COMFORT, We all want to be comfortable in mind and body. This is a critical step to move forward.
C = CHANGE, We try to be accepting of change in our life, yet it still scares most of us, half to death. Change must make sense both on a logically and psychological level. With any change goes our comfort zone, yet we have to remember, no day is exactly like another. Things change constantly.
C= CONFIDENCE, Confidence is tied into our minds comfort zone. How we feel about each of these factors when making a decision? If one is off balance, a decision may not be made and on the back burner, or it could be made, than reversed which is known as "Buyers remorse".
K= KIDS, Are they in sink with their parents wants and needs? Are they pushing one way or another without regard to their parent's wishes? Are they uncomfortable with possibly interfering with their parent's life, as they have always been able to make good decisions in the past? Are the kids choosing to ignore solid signs for help, as they do not know how to help their parents? Can the family communicate openly, honestly and respectfully together? Or does the patter of little feet and grandchild affect one from making a decision one way or another? By addressing these questions, you can avoid huge issues and reduce stress factors.
In summary, looking closely at The Flicccck Factors™ Series can save families as well as businesses time and money. As a family or friend, your compassion for one another will soar and your relationships will become stronger. For a company who understands and embraces these factors, clients will do business with them. Remember, the most powerful and economical marketing tool is "word of mouth". Let your clients work for you!
Lori La Bey
Senior Lifestyle Trends
651-748-4714
info@seniorlifestyletrends.com
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1st Appeared in the RE/MAX Times, Published March 01, 2005
by Phil Smith |
SHOREVIEW, Minn. - Her earlier career in social services gives Lori La Bey a unique perspective on working with seniors.
"After I got into real estate, I realized there was a gaping hole in the real estate services senior were receiving," says La Bey (SRES), an 18 year real estate veteran who joined RE/MAX Associates Plus in December. "There were a lot of misconceptions. Ten years ago, for instance, people would say they weren't leaving their home except feet-first. They thought their only option was a nursing home. There were options, but few were openly talked about. Today's seniors are overwhelmed by the number of choices they have."
La Bey developed a comprehensive program to serve seniors, and it evolved into Classic Lifestyles, a company she still owns. It assists seniors and their families, as well as builders, mortgage brokers, attorneys, accountants, financial planners and others involved in housing for seniors.
La Bey came to RE/MAX after 15 years with Coldwell Banker Burnet.
"I wanted more independence and control of my business." She says. "I already feel at home here. It's a very nice change."
In addition to working directly with seniors - who comprise 55 percent to 65 percent of her business - La Bey regularly conducts seminars through senior housing projects and community education programs to help older people and their families evaluate their housing options. She also advises condo developers, title companies and other service providers on effective way to service seniors.
Years ago, for instance, few contractors wee building "ramblers" (one-story homes). "It took me a good two years to convince the builder I was representing that there was a demand for one-story homes," La Bey says. "So we put together a model. The response was phenomenal, and it was amazing how many ramblers showed up the next fall. Older buyers were thrilled to see one-level living expanding to meet their needs."
It's amazing what a difference little things can make, too La Bey says.
"Just for one example, we advise title companies to use bigger pens and enlarge the type size in contracts," she says. "The larger pen is easier for people with arthritis to handle, and enlarged fonts allow people to read what they're signing with out straining their eyes."
One interesting exercise at La Bey's seminars is a word sensitivity test. She'll ask both older and younger people what comes to mind when they rear certain words. Sometimes the difference is stunning.
Take the word "mail." "Younger people think bills or junk mail," La Bey says, "Elderly people think of letters from a friend. It's a very big generational difference."
In her public seminars, La Bey highlights housing options available to seniors, time frames for moving, common obstacles to avoid, and the emotional impact a move can have on people.
"I go over the cost analysis of staying put - what it's really costing them to stay in their homes versus selling and buying or selling and renting," she says. "I explain the difference between condos, co-ops and town homes. I've
also developed an extensive set of service providers, including movers, handymen, electricians and home health care workers.
"I try to get clients to understand that it's best to slow down and make the right move. "This helps them have confidence in what they're doing."
La Bey teaches seniors to prepare a home for sale, and to interview and choose an agent.
"Buyers and sellers need to appear savvy, even if they're not," she says, "They want someone who's going to help them make the best decision."
La Bey's program bears a close resemblance to the Seniors Real Estate Specialist agenda, except that it focuses on educating the public rather than the Realtors.
"There's a lot of good information in the SRES program, and I encourage Realtors to take the class," she says. "But one thing that's underemphasized is the emotional and psychological impact of the process.
"For most of us, moving is no big deal. But for somebody who's lived in the same home for 30 years or more, it's a very big deal. We need to understand, embrace and appreciate the difference."
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1st Appeared in Star Tribune, Published August 10, 2002
by Neal Gendler |
Everyone who buys or sells a home faces one last task before the process is complete: moving.
Packing the contents of one residence, hauling them to another and then unpacking can be physically and financially demanding, especially for people making the move on their own, not at the behest of an employer who's paying the bills.
It also can be costly for those who pay movers to do all the work -- thousands of dollars for a full-service interstate move.
But there are ways to save money when moving. The most obvious is to do the moving yourself. For those moving into a first house -- especially just across town -- a trailer, small rental truck or some friends' vans (and the friends) might suffice. People with more possessions might want to rent a larger truck. A 15-foot truck from a nationally known firm on a weekday costs about $39.95 plus 45 cents a mile; rates are higher on weekends and at the end of the month.
But people with a house full of stuff -- and a few decades on their bodies -- might want to hire help. That could be a local hauler who takes the furniture across town or a full-service moving company that packs, loads, hauls and unloads a home.
No matter how big the move, there are ways to economize. Here are some helpful tips:
- Slim down. "The biggest thing is to order a Dumpster," said Lori La Bey, a Coldwell Banker Burnet real estate agent. Fewer possessions means less to pack and haul, and less weight, all of which might cost money. Within Minnesota, "most carriers will have hourly rates up to about 50 to 60 miles," said Larry Johnson, rate and tariff specialist for the Minnesota Department of Transportation. After that, they commonly charge by distance or "cubic-foot rate, which is a combination of distance and weight." Between states, they customarily charge by packing service, weight and mileage.
When weeding your possessions, "Be realistic. It used to be a rule of thumb that if you haven't touched it in two years, you don't need it because there's probably something now that's better, cheaper and more efficient," La Bey said. "Now, some people are shortening that to one year."
Lynn Roth, customer-service manager for ACE Worldwide Moving and Storage in Roseville, a 30-year old firm that's an agent for Atlas Van Lines, said he could attest to the pack-rat problem from his own experience.
He moved to Minnesota after 22 years in Virginia. Sometime after the move, he was looking for things to contribute to a neighborhood garage sale. "I found several taped boxes . . . and I found I had about 180 baseballs from when my son was in Little League and Babe Ruth," he recalled. At the time, the son was in college. At $2 apiece, the baseballs "were quite a hit at the garage sale."
Others do know what they have, but sentiment makes disposal difficult. "
La Bey, who specializes in helping older people move to smaller quarters, advises to people who don't want to move heirlooms or other valued possessions, or can't fit them into a smaller home, is to give them to relatives and friends who'll appreciate and use or display them. Packing them into storage means no one can enjoy them, and eventually, no one will know their significance.
Some excess items can be sold in a moving or garage sale. Older people might want to hold an estate sale, or place treasures with an estate-sale company. Such companies will "evaluate whether goods are estate-sale quality and if so, they'll pick them up and sell them for you; you do not have to have your own estate sale," said Susan Courneya, marketing director for Gentle Transitions, which often works with older people. Her company will pack, move, unpack and put things in the new home as much as possible the way they were, even making the beds, she said. Including those services, a 70-box move, "which is on the small end of average," will cost between $2,750 and $3,000, she said.
Numerous metro-area agencies will pick up furniture that is not estate-sale quality and leave a receipt where donors can put a value on the donation for tax-deduction purposes, she said. But most need quite a bit of notice, some as much as a month. Many accept usable clothes and household goods.
- Get estimates for moving services. "I have worked with movers who are real efficient and with workers who are very slow," Courneya said. She said people should get referrals and two or three estimates. Ask references if they would use the company again. Check with the Better Business Bureau and the Minnesota Department of Transportation for complaints and how the companies responded.
Ask the estimator about any unusual goods -- "delicate items, valuable items, items that are two or three pieces," said Todd Backdahl, operations manager for Backdahl Uptown Transfer, a local mover in Minneapolis since 1931.
Roth said estimates are based on industry standards for the number of cubic feet that different types of goods occupy, and usually are figured at seven pounds per cubic foot. Particularly dense objects, such as books, might be calculated at a higher weight.
Roth illustrated costs in a very competitive business using three recent ACE jobs in which his workers did the packing. The first was 95 cartons and total weight of 12,900 pounds moved 128 miles within Minnesota at a price of $4,833. A "very large move" to the St. Louis area carried 230 packed units and a sport-utility vehicle at a total weight of 27,500 pounds for $12,482. A more-typical mid-size load moved 105 packed units at a total weight of 8,800 pounds from Urbana, Ill., for $4,505. The prices include replacement-cost coverage, for which ACE does not charge extra.
- Move mid-month. "That's when companies have their lower rates," Backdahl said. Demand for movers is so strong at the end of the month that often rates are higher then. Atlas does not have a "peak season rate," Roth said, but his schedule shows a reason to plan early and move in mid-month: He's been booked solid for weeks for the last weekend in August.
Backdahl charges $94 an hour for a truck and two workers during off-peak times and $99 an hour during the end-of-month peak.
- Pack things yourself. "Pack your own goods if you really want to save money," Backdahl said. "When the movers show up, all that's left is the physical labor of loading, hauling and unloading." But be aware of the consequences. "If [customers] pack the boxes, we are not responsible for anything inside the box unless there is obvious physical damage to the box," he said. "That means if everything inside is broken but that box doesn't looked like it was dropped, sorry."
The Mayflower Van Lines Web site (http://www.movesource.com) said this practice is fair: "A mover and its insurance company cannot insure contents of boxes that they have never seen. They also don't know if the contents were packed properly. As a result, if you pack it, you take the risk."
Pack unbreakable goods such as linens and books yourself and leave the delicate things for the movers, Roth said.
"When you have fine china or glass work and artwork and you want the movers to have responsibility for it, then you would want to hire them to come out and do the packing," Backdahl said. "Then it's fully the movers' responsibility." For furniture, the driver will indicate on an inventory sheet "all the scuffs, marks, dents and so forth . . . before he moves it," Roth said. When the goods are delivered, "it's the consumer's responsibility to use the inventory sheet to check for damage not noted at time of packing, and to bring that to the drivers' attention."
- Check your insurance. Your household insurance might provide coverage during a move. Movers carry "cargo insurance" of 60 cents per pound. That might be enough for lightweight, low-cost goods, but Mayflower points out that it's not nearly enough for a lamp worth $500 that weighs 15 pounds. Also, Mayflower said, "different companies have different ways of interpreting the application of 60 cents per pound. Some will give you the rate on the damaged item only, while some will apply the rate to the carton's weight."
Mayflower said there are four coverage types at various prices: basic, covering 60 cents per pound; added value; market or depreciated value, and replacement value. It warns against movers who say replacement coverage doesn't exist. "It does, and there should not be an excessive premium for it."
Mayflower's Web site said that per $1,000 of declared value, added-value typically costs $1.25 for coverage of $2 per pound. Market-value coverage typically costs $4 to $6 per $1,000, but it's "going out of style," Mayflower said. Replacement coverage is usually $7 to $9 per $1,000. For someone with goods valued at $50,000 that weigh about 12,000 pounds, basic coverage -- the 60 cents a pound -- would provide maximum coverage of $7,200. Replacement coverage at $7.50 per $1,000 of declared value would cost $375.
"There are some things that are not insured, even if you pay for coverage," Mayflower says. Examples include jewelry coins, stamps, documents and food. Roth said high-value goods should be insured separately or shipped with delivery services. If you want the mover to haul them, you can fill out a "high-value inventory form" but full value will not be covered. A photo will be covered only up to the cost of the film, and loss of data is not covered, so computer disks should be backed up.
- Eliminate obstacles. If people have a lot of items stored in an attic or crawl space, they'll save money by moving them to somewhere with easy access, such as a garage, Roth said. "There is an extra charge, extra labor, if a mover has to climb up in an attic or into a crawl space and start moving things around," he said.
- Disassemble. For in-state movers, disassembly and reassembly of desks, entertainment centers, beds and things of that nature are major time burners, Backdahl said. Roth said interstate movers don't charge extra for normal disassembly and reassembly.
- Use movers' cartons. Spend a little money to buy movers' cartons, Backdahl said. "Those boxes are designed by moving companies to specifically fit in the truck a certain way." Movers can stack them easily, saving time and money."Try to save money on as much labor as possible because that's where the cost comes in," he said.
Roth said moving cartons might be found for free, because people want to get rid of them after a move. "Chances are the integrity of the cartons will be pretty good," he said. "When I have moved, I have put a little notice on the bulletin board at the local the grocery store: 'Just moved, free boxes,' and I've been cleaned out in two or three days. So check places like that to see if you can get some free moving cartons and packing paper."
- Haul light stuff yourself. Backdahl gave examples: clothing, small chairs, knickknacks, "things that are harder to put into a box but too small to justify the movers packing it."
- Give good directions. "Make sure that the movers have a clear understanding of where they're going," Backdahl said. He said when the movers get lost, it's "a touchy gray area" -- who's going to pay for the time?
For interstate moves, Roth said, it's normally a requirement that the shipper be available when the goods arrive or they go into storage. In the age of cellular phones, he said, drivers aren't likely to be unable to find the address.
- Don't just stew about glitches. "If a problem arises on moving day, do not hesitate to call your coordinator, the person in the office who coordinates the entire move," Roth said. "That's what we're here for.
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~Neal Gendler is at ngendler@startribune.com | |
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1st Appeared in Star Tribune, Published March 16, 2002
by Neal Gendler |
You've decided to downsize: sell the family house and move to smaller quarters. Now comes the hard part: deciding which possessions to part with for the rest of your life.
Everything you own is not going to fit in the new place, but things accumulated over decades tend to have memories attached, increasing their value beyond monetary worth.
So how to decide?
"People just need to prioritize and say, 'These are the things I really treasure,' and start there," said Nancy Love strand of Gentle Transitions, a 12-year-old company that helps people make such moves. It's hard to give things up, she said, because "it's a symptom of how your life has changed."
Jim Dattalo, an Edina Realty agent in Plymouth, said: "The biggest advice is 'know where you're going.' " When people know how much space they'll have, they can get a handle on how much weeding they'll have to do. "They know they're not going to take their 50 years of furnishings with them -- it's not possible," he said. "That is a tough one to get over." One client had decided to move, he said, "but it took 3 1/2 years to come to grips with what she was going to leave behind."
Dithering can be counterproductive, said Lori La Bey, a Coldwell Banker Burnet agent in Maplewood who specializes in "senior" clients.
"Most people aren't realistic in terms of what they really use," she said. "If people could really focus on their lifestyle, their independence and their freedom really being the priorities . . . it's much easier to give up possessions. People say if you don't have your health, you don't have anything -- but so many times people jeopardize their health and lifestyle because they're not willing to give up their possessions; they're not willing to move."
Sorting through decades of emotionally charged possessions and deciding which to give up can seem daunting or overwhelming, but there are ways to make the job easier.
What to take
Dattalo said downsizers need to "inspect the potential purchase well in advance of selling their homes -- or selling anything." He recently moved a couple from their home of 54 years to a senior high-rise. "They wound up taking two chairs, a couch and a bedroom set; that was it."
Lovestrand said people may need different furniture as they age. "They need to think about taking the furniture it's easiest to get in and out of . . . sometimes that means buying a new piece." She recommended taking furniture that can serve more than one function, such as a table with shelves or drawers or a couch that turns into a bed.
One way to help clients make choices "is to ask them what their lifestyle is going to be," she said. "Are they going to continue to entertain, for example. If not, they probably can lop off the dining-room set. Are you going to be cooking or are you going to be eating in a congregate dining room? If it's just breakfast [at home], you can eliminate a lot of kitchen stuff, especially your larger pots, pans and bowls.
"I'm not terribly ruthless about it. There are attachments, and sometimes it's important that the mixer, for example, still sit on the counter. It's not always a matter of 'are you going to use it, do you use it, are you wearing it?' "
While some people winnow possessions room by room, "it's also possible to go through category by category," Lovestrand said. "If you know you only have a certain amount of rod space for hanging clothes, that's your limit."
Clothing, dishes and furniture are three categories where the need often is overestimated, La Bey said. "You have to sit down and ask, 'How many dishes and I going to use? How many curio cabinets do I want to dust?' "
La Bey said one criterion is to ask, "Have I touched this in a year?" If not, it's probably not needed. And if you do end up needing it, you can often buy a new one easier and cheaper. If there's time, "packing a closet a month will make their lives easier," she said. She likened the process to "going to sell a house, fixing it up and then saying, 'Why didn't I do this years ago!' Weeding out is kind of like that. It takes time, but the sense of accomplishment is so great, people are just thrilled when they do it."
Getting help
They don't have to do it alone, either. Bonne Clark of Senior Housing Inc. said several companies will help sort, pack, move and unpack. Her agency has a tip sheet worked out with Gentle Transitions.
Lovestrand said one service is keeping things as much as possible like they were in the old home. "So we take pictures of things that were on the coffee table or in the hutch and pretty much go back the same way." Clients can buy the full service or choose parts they want.
Dattalo refers clients to experts, which include estate-sale firms that can help people determine what to take and then try to sell the rest.
Family members can be a great source of help -- or hindrance.
"I have found children to be both," Lovestrand said. "Sometimes, it seems to me, parents dig their heels in a little bit when a child makes a suggestion, whereas someone like me from outside can make a suggestion and it's a little more palatable. Another thing with children is that sometimes it's emotionally hard on them to see the old home broken up . . . so they're not good to have around."
La Bey's answer to children's objections is to ask them how many times they have moved. "You've got to put the parents' needs first."
Some parents want children's help, others insist on deciding for themselves. "I think the parent has to set the rules," La Bey said. They have to decide what's staying with them and what's going elsewhere. "I think that's probably the biggest thing people don't do well, because sometimes kids will take stuff thinking it's junk and they're going to toss it or give it away, but to the parent it's a prized possession. It's very important to discuss the personal value of the objects."
Dattalo said that children can be "the biggest problem" because of their lack of knowledge. Sometimes they liken senior housing to a nursing home, but often "new senior housing is bright, open, comfortable, spacious. It's not cheap, but it's available, and even the ones that are less expensive are comfortable."
And then there are fights over possessions and outright greed.
"Most children want the best for their parents," Dattalo said. "But then you've got these other kind who are only worrying about what they're going to get. I have seen the worst of the worst." Last year he sold a house that the mother, thinking she was protecting her family, had put 50 percent in a daughter's name. When the mother sold to move into senior housing, the daughter kept half of the equity. "So her mother had to go into substandard housing. That's the lowest I've ever seen."
A way to avoid battles over possessions is to write the name of the person to whom it's to go on the back or bottom of the object, or attach the name with masking tape. If the child doesn't want it, the parent could sell it and give the money to the child.
Dattalo said parents might have to carry some of their kids' emotional baggage atop their own. Sometimes, children "want their parents to sell for too much money, or they want them to buy something big enough that they still can go over there for Thanksgiving or Christmas -- but that's not the life their parents are moving into."
Give it away
Lovestrand said storage can be rented for things that won't fit, but when children have problems with parental downsizing because they still have a room full of childhood things, the parent has to say, "Come and get them now, or out they go. I can't keep your school papers any longer."
A good way to part with valued possessions is to offer them to family or friends, Lovestrand said. "There is pleasure in knowing that somebody you like now is enjoying your things. If it's your children, when you go over, you'll even see those things again. One problem is that if someone is elderly, their children probably are well stocked and don't need any more. But maybe there's someone who's always admired a certain vase; give it to them." Treasured possessions also might make good birthday and Christmas gifts.
La Bey said many heirlooms "are hidden in a box or closet. People don't even know they're there until they're digging through to pack and move."
Photos and travel memorabilia can be problems. Lovestrand said they often end up in storage, even tossed if there's no room for them and no family to whom to give them.
If there is family, photos "easily could be divided up and it can be fun for the family to go through them," La Bey said. "Parents can pass on the history and make notes about the photos, including who's in them." Her family made large, framed collages of photos so "you can see them; they're not stuffed in a box."
Lovestrand said some children encourage parental letting-go. "Usually, the kids are saying, 'How can you save that couch? Please go buy another couch, you've had it since '65. . . . Mother, get rid of it.' "
Lovestrand said some furniture, or perhaps a piano, might be accepted for common areas at the downsizers' destinations, although it's likely those places have their own. Other possessions can go to charities. And "there are places in the community that would like your things: Schools will take all kinds of things," and libraries might take some books.
La Bey urges downsizers to give things to people who really need them. Older people often have done a lot of volunteer work, she said, "and this is another great way to help their community by passing on furniture, bedding, clothing."
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~ Neal Gendler is at ngendler@startribune.com | |
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1st Appeared in Star Tribune, Published March 2, 2002
by Neal Gendler |
Increasing numbers of empty-nest households are moving down to smaller quarters, but making the decision to hop on the moving van can be very difficult.
The house might have become too big, but it is, after all, home.
"When people are asked about their house, they give emotional responses; they don't think of it as a dwelling," said Bonnie Clark, director of Minneapolis-based Senior Housing Inc. "It's full of memories."
Clark said that in our supposedly classless society, "the house is the most visible object of who you are and what you are," defining us and telling others about us. "Giving this up is hard for people, no matter what age they are."
Realtor Lori La Bey has built a career by working with people making that decision. Not only are sellers' emotions running high, but defining the desired style and location of the home they want is another problem, said La Bey, a Coldwell Banker Burnet agent in Maplewood. A suitable destination can be "extremely difficult to find, because most of them want to stay in their community," and many suburbs offer few appropriate choices.
Lack of a suitable destination has deterred Dave and Esther Schneider of New Brighton. They bought their 1,400-square-foot, two-level home in 1986, when he became pastor of a United Methodist church in St. Anthony. After living in a succession of parsonages, this is the first home they've owned. "We found this place, and we've loved it ever since," he said. "We've invested a lot of money in this house."
The Schneiders were ahead of the downsizing trend: "Our parsonages always were larger than this," he said. But now they're looking for an even smaller, one-level home.
Motivations differ
In La Bey's experience, health concerns typically drive a downsizing move, and lifestyle is second. "What I tell people is that it's worth going through the stress and the hassle [of moving down] if you can maintain your health or lifestyle." It's also worth the expense, she said. "There's a pretty high price tag on our well-being."
For example, one half of a couple might have a health problem. But after considering prices for single-level or maintenance-free quarters, plus the cost of moving and the emotional stress, they'll postpone it, La Bey said. "But if the spouse gets worse, or the caregiver starts failing, then you can't put a price on the cost of maintaining your relationship and lifestyle; it's priceless.
"So if it's going to cost you $5,000 or $10,000 to move, it's peanuts in order to maintain what you have and hopefully enhance it by alleviating some stress and some unneeded chores. It's amazing what a difference it can make in people's lives."
Other people, especially the young and healthy, might be motivated to downsize because of a lifestyle change or a problem such as a divorce, Clark said. "Empty nesters typically want to travel, they want to go visit their kids, they don't want to take care of a big house," she said, so they don't see downsizing as negative.
"What motivates older people is health issues -- not being able to keep up the property; maybe security, being concerned about the neighborhood; maybe if they lose a spouse," Clark said. "But giving up your home is hard."
It's important to think about a health-related move before it's required. La Bey said people who'll need subsidized housing "need to get on those lists years ahead of time" because there's not enough of it. Often, adult children discover that their parents are losing the ability to care adequately for the house or themselves and insist that the parents move.
Where to move
As the Schneiders have learned, it's one thing to decide to downsize and quite another to find the right place. "About five years ago, we got serious enough to put some earnest money down on a townhome," he said. But then Dave Schneider had triple bypass surgery, which ended that deal. "About three years ago, we got serious again and almost put money down. Then we discovered the townhouse we were interested in was going to have some commercial property right across the street."
Recently, they began working with La Bey -- for the third time -- when they found a potentially suitable unit in a new complex near their current house. But the location wasn't right "and the quality wasn't up to what we'd hoped," Dave Schneider said.
Their house will be paid for at the end of this year, so "we'll probably wait until next year to get serious again about a townhouse search," he said.
Realtors say the supply of maintenance-free homes is growing but remains below demand, especially when downsizers want to live near their old neighborhoods, where such developments are scarce.
"That population also is pretty picky in terms of what they want and where they want it," La Bey said. "A lot of land that's available is by railroads, electrical wires or freeways. . . . Basically, they all pretty much want their lifestyle to be able to be maintained on one level. Pretty much everybody wants the safety and security [of association housing] -- it's a huge issue." They also want a convenient location for driving on city streets, not freeways, but also good access from freeways for visiting children.
"A lot of assisted-living and co-op units are being built," La Bey said, noting that co-ops are becoming more popular. On the other hand, "a lot of people aren't comfortable moving to what they consider an apartment with all the common walls. They really still are looking for individual space. They feel a townhome or twin home provides them more independence, and they have their own private entrance and garage."
Real-estate agents find that downsizers are very concerned about space and long drives to newer developments, said Cheryl Thompson, an agent who specializes in townhouses and condominiums. Potential buyers might have paid off a mortgage and are concerned about taking out a new mortgage. They also are concerned about living with rules, and for many, "not having a yard is a negative."
Thompson, based in Edina Realty's office on 50th St. and France Av. S., said she deals with this by counseling prospective downsizers, including discussing areas into which they might move and then taking them to see what's available. She also provides information about rental alternatives, including senior housing, if that seems appropriate. "Sometimes people should be renting instead of buying," she said. Those situations might be caused by the client's health, plans to use the unit only part of the year, or finances.
A traumatic decision
"If you're going to make the move, you're only going to want to do it once," La Bey said. For older people, "the emotional side is absolutely traumatic," and it can be even worse "if the kids aren't on the same game plan as the parents," she said.
"Often, the children want them to stay in the house they grew up in," she said. They also might be troubled by parents giving away possessions. "A lot of times the kids are overwhelmed with that, just as the adults are," she said. "But the kids don't always realize how traumatic that is for the adults, because they, too, are going through the grieving process."
La Bey said it's worse if a spouse's death prompts the move because that's saying goodbye twice. "I tell people if they've lost a spouse, they should wait a little -- at least a year -- because there's so much else going on."
Clark said another reason people might resist downsizing is that "home is where you can have your most freedom; you can turn up your stereo, plant a garden or paint your porch. If you move into a condo or apartment, you can't do all those things."
Thompson said she often gets callers who want to know what's available and affordable, but say they're not ready to make a decision. She estimated that 10 to 15 percent of the buyers she shows around decide not to move, but some call her later.
"We get more calls in the summer," she said, often prompted by people who are tired of doing yard work. "Sometimes when people see what their association fees will be, they decide to use that money to hire out the maintenance work."
La Bey said that for many, downsizing is "a one-to five-year decision-making process because of the emotional difficulty of leaving the house, but also the difficulty of starting fresh. You can take your memories with you, but a lot of times people don't realize that."
Sticker shock
Specialists in townhouse and condominium sales say many people aren't aware of how much the cost of association units has risen. "There still are a lot of people looking for something under $100,000 or $150,000, and those are very hard to come by," La Bey said. Appreciation on lower-priced townhouses or condos "has just skyrocketed."
Thompson said "people may be living in a house they've owned for 30 years. . . . They have maybe 1,800 square feet and are selling for $170,000-$180,000. Then they go and look at one-level living . . . and they might have sticker shock" at paying more for 1,200 to 1,400 square feet.
Others might not realize how much they can get for their house. La Bey did a recent market analysis for the Schneiders.
"We were very pleasantly surprised at the value," Dave Schneider said. He added that they might be able to consider townhouses that they previously thought were beyond their reach. Their house is the size and style sought by many first-time home buyers, as well as couples downsizing, although its laundry room is on the lower level.
La Bey said even downsizers with a lot of money find "it's still slim pickings," and they aren't used to making decisions at the pace required by a fast market. "Many times they look for a couple of years, then they find one, and they go home and analyze. and then it's gone," she said.
New units can spur faster decisions, she said. "Part of it is getting past the point of saying, 'I deserve something nice. I deserve to make my life easier.' It's hard for people to spend money on themselves."
The Schneiders seem to have made their decision; the rest is details. "We keep thinking, 'Why don't we move now while we still can move around, before one of us is crippled or one of us dies,' " he said. "I think within a few years, we'll be moving out of this house." |
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~Neal Gendler is at ngendler@startribune.com | |
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1st Appeared in Star Tribune, Published January 24, 2004
by Neal Gendler |
It took Eadie Allison a couple of years to decide to sell her four-bedroom family home in Shoreview and move to something smaller. But when she found a townhouse that felt right, she made up her mind at once.
She and her late husband, Jack, had built their house in 1968 and raised their two daughters and son there, and their six grandchildren loved it. Wooded areas were all around, and she was next to Ramsey County hiking and biking trails.
Her husband died five years ago, and by last year, "the house and the yard were too big," she said. "Even though they were beautiful, it was just too much for me take care of." She had help from her children and hired out some yardwork, but her knees were telling her that a four-level house wasn't the best layout for a woman in her early 70s.
The decision she made is one being faced by increasing numbers of retirees and empty-nesters -- numbers expected to grow huge over the next decade or so as baby boomers find that the homes that held their families and still hold their memories are becoming a burden.
But moving away can be difficult. So-called seniors often have great anxiety about where to go, how much their home is worth, how much money they'll have to buy or rent, how to make the move, how they'll deal with decades of accumulated possessions, and who they can trust to help them. And as if the logistics weren't daunting enough, there often is emotional turmoil connected with leaving. Sometimes, children don't want the parents to leave.
A real estate specialty
Helping people in this situation has become a growing specialty in the real estate industry. A growing number of agents in the Twin Cities focus their marketing on seniors, and some are among about 8,100 nationally with Senior Real Estate Specialist certification. Thirty-seven Realtors in Minnesota have the designation, conferred under a National Association of Realtors program run by the California Association of Realtors. It requires a test after 12 hours of courses in generational differences, estate planning, equity conversion, the retirement process and communicating with clients and their families and advisers.
People 55 and older are the nation's largest group of property owners, and older clients might not need a hard-charging agent who focuses on a quick sale. Many prefer someone who displays sensitivity, compassion and understanding about the emotions of selling and who has patience.
It's not entirely altruism, of course -- agents specializing in seniors want to sell their homes -- but those who work in such niches say they often do far more than the usual marketing, and they're likely to do a good deal of counseling and helping to arrange for the move.
Ted Field, who founded Edina Realty's Senior Services, said he often shows homes and apartments to seniors with no obligation that they list their homes with him. The hope is that they'll call him when they're ready to sell, but sometimes he just has to pat himself on the back for doing community service when they choose a different agent.
Senior clients are different
Seniors don't take the decision to move lightly, said Lori La Bey, a Coldwell Banker Burnet agent in Maplewood who has specialized in older clients for years and has the Senior Real Estate Specialist designation.
"It's a huge, huge thing," she said. They have to define their financial, emotional and physical needs and look seriously into the future, determining "not only what are you going to need when you move in, but what will you need months or years later. ... They don't want to do this again," she said.
"The problem with seniors is that they don't have a clue of where they would go, so they tend to have a fear of the unknown," Field said. That makes the whole process overwhelming. Many don't know who to turn to. "People know they should move, or the kids say they should move," he said. "But they say, 'Where am I going to go? I've been living here forever."
Widowhood is another problem, especially if the death is recent and the surviving spouse is new to dealing with financial matters. It's easier to move a couple, he said. "They can support each other in the move." Someone recently widowed might fret, "What would Harold say? Would Harold say it's the right move?"
The timing of the move is critical, La Bey said. "I'm finding more and more people are figuring out where they want to go, moving into that place and then selling the home. It's less stressful. A lot of times they have a cash-flow problem, but I have to educate them that you can get a swing loan or a bridge loan.
"A lot of them aren't good at figuring out how much furniture will fit into their next spot," she said. Paper cutouts on a floor plan seldom suffice. By moving first, there's opportunity to bring what they want, even if that means a few pieces and possessions get moved back again.
Allison followed the move-then-sell prescription.
From woods to wood
She moved about 4 miles within Shoreview, to a one-level detached townhouse on a cul-de-sac in an association of more than 40 homes called Heather Ridge. She said the cul-de-sac gives her "sort of our own private group" in a development where people are 55 and over, about a quarter of them still working. "I'm fortunate that I still have a small wooded area in back of me," she said. Her 10-year-old home has two bedrooms, two bathrooms and a den that could be used as a bedroom. "It's in wonderful condition," she said.
She knew two other residents of the association, one of whom suggested she look at it. After a year of looking at other places, "I knew this was the one in 20 minutes," she said. "I'm close enough to my old house that I can drive by once in a while and talk to the neighbors. That's what made up my mind."
She'd never sold a house before. "When I talked to Lori, I said, 'I don't know how to do any of this.' " she recalled. "She said, 'Don't worry, I'll hold your hand all the way.' " Her old home sold in a week, but the closing was two months away. "I worked really hard to have it happen that way, even though I had to take out an extra loan," she said. She moved into the new home July 19 and closed on the old house July 31. "It was wonderful to have the time" to get her house ready, sort through her belongings and move out.
Some people don't have that luxury, and the move looms as overwhelming.
Conquering the fears
"One of the big things they're fearful of is who can they trust," La Bey said. Not only do they need an agent with whom they're comfortable, but they need to know where to turn if they must make repairs before they can sell, hire a mover and figure out the order in which to do everything. Most agents know tradespeople they can call on for rapid repairs, and those accustomed to dealing with seniors usually have experience in helping people schedule events in the process.
Seniors have much anxiety about how they are going to deal with their possessions: "What are they going to take, who's going to move it, how do they weed through all of their stuff," La Bey said. "Even though they're the driving force in this move, there's a lot of feeling of lack of control."
The changes required in a move, especially if it's to another part of town, can be intimidating. Seniors might worry whether their friendships will survive.
"Many of my clients move for medical reasons," Field said. If the need is sudden, the pressure can be great. But a move before it's required can provide choices. He listed three big considerations. The first is location. "If someone always has lived in Edina, and you move them to the other side of St. Louis Park, you might as well have moved them to St. Cloud. If they have to change doctors, banks, post offices and stores, it's tough.
"Second, we have to look at what services do they need or are they likely to need in the near future," he said. "We want to avoid that double move."
The third consideration is financial. "The services they need often will predict what they have to spend. There's a huge number of places to go. It used to be 'my home or the nursing home,' but now there's dozens of options between the two." That's important to emphasize, especially for those who resist the idea of moving even when they know they must.
"If you can take them to a place that they can see would be a good space for them, you can almost hear the strings to the home being cut," he said.
Health is the most-common motivator for a move, Field said. While seniors fear that a move might cost them independence, sometimes it gives them more -- freeing them from some cooking and home-maintenance chores so they can do things they want to do. Children also gain peace of mind when parents move to a more communal setting where someone will notice if they don't appear when expected.
Field encourages people to make their decisions early, when they can make their own choices. "If you become incapacitated, someone else is making the decisions."
Finances are a big concern, but a lot of homeowners "don't realize how much equity they're sitting on," he said. "People have $100,000 or $300,000 equity in their house, and they're walking around broke." Although some people have unrealistic price expectations, more often they are surprised by how much they can get.
Downsizing
Allison said that as much as she and her children loved the house, they realized she needed to move. Her biggest problem was what to do with all the stuff. Her children and grandchildren took some things, some went to rummage sales and some were tossed. "We got a big Dumpster and threw out a lot of junk -- things I hadn't looked at in 20 or 30 years," she said.
La Bey said the possessions problem can be overwhelming. The key is to start early, she said. Make calls well before selling to learn what goods will be taken by charities -- and which charities will pick them up -- what the local trash system will accept, and what estate-sale companies might do.
Also, the paperwork for a swing loan, if appropriate, can be done in advance and then updated when the time comes. Moving companies can provide estimates so a choice can be made quickly.
Choosing a real estate agent in advance also is desirable, La Bey said. Interview several, ask what services they'll provide and ask for a marketing plan.
La Bey said the entire process can be scary, "but if you go into it saying, 'This is what's best for me, that's my reality,' then you can go into it informed. Most people love it so much when they've made the change because they've worried about it so long that it's better than they thought."
Allison said she'd read about making such a move, thought about it and talked with friends who'd done it. "I wanted to do the move while I still was in good health and felt I could handle it," she said. She couldn't have done it alone. "I would have been crazy." Help from family and friends was crucial.
"I didn't know about the emotional side," she said. "I didn't know if I would be able to sleep at night -- but I guess I was so tired at night I did sleep." Knowing she'd be close to her friends and "still be able to shop and go to my regular places" also helped.
With the move behind her, "I feel very good," she said. "I have made a lot of new friends. The people here are wonderful. ... It's kind of nice to make new friends at this time of my life."
Scripps Howard News Service contributed to this report.
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~Neal Gendler is at ngendler@startribune.com | |
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The Pioneer Press, Published August 4, 2001
by Rick Shefchik |
After Roy Bruchman's wife entered a nursing home two years ago, he reluctantly decided to sell the White Bear Lake home they'd built together in 1960.
Where would he go? How much could he afford? What was his house worth? Bruchman's options were better than they might have been a generation ago, but that didn't make choosing any easier.
He met Lori La Bey, a Coldwell Banker Burnet real estate agent during an open house at a senior housing complex at White Bear Avenue and Minnesota 36, and subsequently asked her to help him make the difficult transition that many seniors eventually face.
Fortunately for Bruchman, La Bey does this all the time. She is a "senior housing consultant" with a program she created called Classic Lifestyle, designed to assist seniors in selling their homes and moving to new quarters, be it a smaller home, condominium, apartment, assisted-living home or something else -- new construction or existing.
La Bey is certainly not alone in her field. More than 180 real estate agents have graduated from a Senior Advisor program she teaches for the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. Other agencies, including Edina Realty, have also made changes to meet the growing demand for specialized senior attention.
Ted Field is the founder of Edina Realty's Senior Services program. A former nursing home administrator, he, like La Bey, uses his background in social services to help him relate to senior concerns with more sensitivity.
"I realized how few people were helping the seniors," Field said of his days in the nursing home business. "People would come in and say, "We'd like to move into your place, but first we have to sell our house.' I'd never hear from them again. When I got into real estate nine years ago, I decided to concentrate on this."
Bruchman's home sold in four days. By then, he'd settled on his next location, a senior apartment building called St. Andrews in Mahtomedi. But that complex was still under construction, so La Bey helped him find an apartment to live in until he could move to St. Andrews in January.
"It's the emotion," says La Bey when asked what's the most important part of her seniors-oriented business. "A lot of people typically live only five to seven years in their house; these guys (seniors) have been there 30 to 50 years. There's a lot of psychology involved."
That's La Bey's specialty. She has sold real estate for 15 years, but, for the past 12 years, has been heavily involved in the senior market. She has a social service/health care background, so she's always been attuned to the needs of this growing demographic.
"Growing" might be an understatement.
"If you look at the demographic, it is the largest market share, and it's growing by leaps and bounds," according to Nancy Scott, education coordinator for the Minneapolis Area Association of Realtors. "Six thousand people turn 65 every day (throughout the U.S.), and will every day for the next 10 years."
La Bey deals not just with seniors in the 70-plus category, but with baby boomers who are looking to downsize now that their kids have left the house.
"They've dealt with their parents, and they say, "We're not doing that to our kids' -- having the struggle of their kids convincing them it's time for a move," La Bey says. "There's more preplanning and there's a lot of options out there.
"With the very elderly, it was move out of your house and go to a nursing home. Plus, that generation didn't spend money on themselves. They're still saving for a rainy day -- something could happen.
La Bey says she designed the Classic Lifestyles program to be an all-encompassing service to help older customers with comparing the costs of staying put, selling, buying and renting; learning about home repairs, improvements and selling requirements; relocation expenses, estate sales, movers, home health care, attorneys and financial planners. The service is free to homeowners considering a change in housing.
La Bey helped Jack and Jane Schable move from their Twin Cities home to a new town home in Winsted, about 45 miles west of the western suburbs.
"When we first contacted Lori, we decided at that time we wanted to downsize because we were starting to get older, and a lot of the time when you're older you're afraid to make those changes," says Jack Schable. "I didn't want that to happen to us. I decided to sell our home through Lori. We stabilized for a couple of years, staying in a nice little apartment on Round Lake in Little Canada."
They kept looking until they settled on Winsted, where they were able to get more for their money.
Now, they'll be able to walk out the door and travel whenever they choose, rather than worrying about home upkeep.
La Bey realizes that senior transitions can take up to five years, so she will continue to work with customers so they can make educated, confident decisions.
"This move is a heart- rather than a hard-sell," La Bey says. "It really has to feel good. It's so important to preplan, to get a hold of an attorney, a financial planner, so they know they're making the move at the right time."
There are certainly challenges when handling senior transitions, but great rewards, as well.
"Seniors say they don't have any money, but they have tremendous equity in their homes," Edina Realty's Field says. "You go through the numbers and show them that if they invest that money conservatively, they won't run out of money till they're 200. I've had people hug me and cry."
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~Rick Shefchik can be reached at
ngendler@startribune.com or 651-228-5577 | |
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1st Appeared in Good Age Newspaper, published by Amherst H Wilder Foundation 07/2001
by Thor Carlson, Editor |
Real estate agent Lori La Bey doesn’t just specialize in senior housing, she’s written the workbook to help seniors analyze when and how to make their move.
Based at the Coldwell Banker Burnett offices in Maplewood, La Bey has focused on senior housing services for the past 10 years. Seniors account for about half of her clients, but she’s taken that portion of her business to the next level.
In developing Classic Lifestyles, a workbook that helps older homeowners assess their housing needs, financial status and moving options, La Bey takes her expertise on the road to lead seminars and workshops for senior centers, church groups or retirement groups.
"Our philosophy is to empower people with information before a crisis comes along," she said. "You’re not going to have to move more than once if you don’t need to."
A good business practice.
Planning ahead for the move out of a long-time home can be a difficult process for seniors, La Bey acknowledged. But not doing so can limit options and opportunities in the future. "We encourage people to plan ahead and celebrate that fact," she said. "It shows that you are in control and that you are looking ahead. It’s just good business – taking control and making sure that your wishes are met."
A common notion among older homeowners is that since their mortgage is paid off, their home is free and clear of expense and still a good deal. But through one workbook exercise, considerations are made for the monthly costs of insurance, taxes and routine maintenance. Using an example of a $100,000 home, La Bey pointed out that it’s not outlandish to be spending at least $600 a month on those expenses.
She also encourages other members of the family to get involved in developing and analyzing those financial figures, particularly if the senior homeowners want someone to assist them.
"Family can be a huge support to you. And it’s payback time for all the times that you helped them to move when they were younger," La Bey said.
In fact, a recent AARP-sponsored study showed that 67 percent of seniors wanted to talk to someone about their housing needs and options. But like funeral planning and health care concerns, to talk about those things acknowledges that the aging process is setting in and often prevents the discussions from starting, La Bey said.
Often, particularly with seniors who’ve lived in the same house for a long time, there is some "sticker shock" when they start looking at the costs of various housing options, she said. To help get over that, La Bey will often ask what their current energy bill costs and what their first house payment was.
"That first house payment will be a lot less than what they’re paying for utilities today and help show how the economy has changed," she said.
More than dollars and sense
All of that experience has also led her to realize that a senior making a move is much more than a simple business decision. It’s a significant lifestyle change that takes time and consideration by the movers to make sure it’s the right thing to do.
"Most people don’t realize that they may be missing social aspects to their life that had once been there," La Bey said. "We ask older people how their neighborhood has changed." The card clubs or coffee klatches that once were there might not be meeting any more, having evaporated over time and migration of former neighbors. Yard tasks and home maintenance may often be getting more taxing.
"We lead people through a personal needs assessment in a very non-threatening way," she said. "It helps to get them thinking about what’s available."
One common obstacle is that senior homeowners don’t know that there are options out there between their home and a nursing home. La Bey said that the best thing to do is go out, visit senior housing sites and learn what they have to offer.
Often a bigger shock to her older clients than the cost of housing options is the time that it takes to make a move, La Bey said.
"It can be a one- to five-year decision-making loop," she said. Waiting lists at some senior housing options, particularly those with subsidized rents, can stretch out to being several years long.
"If you know someone who seemed to suddenly move, they probably at least were thinking about for several years and never told anyone," La Bey said.
It also can take some time to make improvements to your current home in order to make it more marketable. Realtors will make suggestions on what types of improvements can make it more presentable to buyers and increase its listing price.
Another common misconception is that once seniors start the process of selling their home, there’s no turning back. Most realtors will do initial home assessments at no charge. She encourages seniors to seek out several agents and find someone who they’re comfortable with. Likewise, there’s rarely any cost, other than time, to visit senior housing sites.
"You always have the right to say no, or to ask to take any contract or offer to have an attorney or relative look it over before you sign it," La Bey said. "A lot of people have never been a supervisor, but that’s what you are when you’re looking to move." Just like a doctor or lawyer, you should find a real estate agent you feel comfortable with and can trust, La Bey said.
Other matters
Beyond considering the finances and housing options in making a move, there is the accumulation of household stuff over the years to deal with, she said. More and more seniors are doing "estate sales while they’re still alive," La Bey said, "to assist them in clutter cutter."
The process of making a move can be very busy with a lot of details to consider. La Bey encourages her clients to make a list of the things they will do with their expanded spare time in their new home to keep a focus on why they’re wrapped up in so much busy-ness prior to the move.
Emotional preparation is also vital. It’s easier to make a move when you’re healthy enough, because change of any kind brings on stress, La Bey said. "The purpose of a move should always be to make your life less stressful, to make your life simpler." The process of investigation can sometimes lead to a determination "that it’s not best for everyone to move," she continued. "There are people who die shortly after a move because they couldn’t adjust to the environmental changes.
"Everyone’s path is different. Sometimes it takes one or two places before you find that right fit," La Bey said.
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Article appeared in the Good Age Newspaper, published by Amherst H Wilder Foundation 07/2001 |
| Tom Test by Tom Abel, Editor |
This is a test article to see how this editor is working :)
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tom tom tom tom tomtomtomtomtomtomtomtomtomtomtomtomt tomtomt tom tomt tom | |
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