Helping Parents Find a Home

Mom and Dad need a New House

I have talked many times about Baby Boomers retiring and moving into smaller, more manageable starter homes or condos where they have little maintenance and are close to amenities.  But very often they have no idea where to start or they are wanting to move closer to children who have moved to areas they are not familiar with.  So how do you help them when they want to be closer to you?

Find an Agent:

You knew I was going to say it.  Find an agent that is willing to work with both you and your parents.  When there are extra people involved, it makes it a little harder on the agent. So find someone you all like, trust, and who has everyone’s best interest at heart.  It’s really not hard to find.

Communication:

This is so important!  Find out what they are really looking for, what their budget is, how close to you do they really want to be, what size home do they want, and so much more.  It is vital that everyone is open and honest and has clear boundaries as well as realistic expectations. Otherwise you’re setting yourself and them up for failure.

Schedule time:

Set aside time to view homes with them or weekends to go to open houses.  If they are too far to do it in person, make time to video or Skype together while you walk through the house.  Never let them buy a house sight unseen that’s bad Ju-Ju and will always come back to haunt you.

The home is theirs:

Don’t forget the final decision is your parents'. This is not your home.  They have to live in it, so they have to love it. You're feelings towards their prospective home are secondary.

Have Fun:

Don’t let the process get you down.  Have fun looking at the homes and doing research for different areas and have fun with your parents. 

Cynthia Schmier, Broker/Owner 
CRS, CDPE, CNE, CIAS, MDI, 5-STAR, SRS
RE/MAX Country
Cynthia@Cynthia-Online.com
(360) 400-3475
www.cynthia-online.com