Navigating Life Changes: Q & A with Transitions Realty
Embarking on significant changes at any point in life can be daunting, especially as you grow older. Many of our clients seek support when their homes become overwhelming to maintain. As upkeep becomes more challenging, winters more difficult, and the space and expenses less practical, decisions need careful consideration. To ease this transition, we have connected with one of our trusted partners, Transitions Realty. Specializing in aiding the 50+ demographic, Transitions Realty guides individuals through the process of selling their homes, finding the right new homes, and preparing for every step along the way. In this month’s blog they address the most common questions regarding preparing for this significant transition.
1. What about Transitions Realty sets it apart from other brokerages?
Transitions Realty is the only real estate brokerage in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA)
that’s dedicated to home downsizing for people aged 50 and over.
At this stage of life, downsizing can be emotional and challenging. Unlike traditional real
estate approaches that treat clients as mere transactions, we guide older adults through
a seamless and thoughtfully planned transition.
Our signature program, Downsizing Done Right, ensures a stress-free transition and
includes the following:
We partner with both our clients and Dynamic Downsizers to make the
decluttering journey easier.As REALTORS®, we prepare the client’s home for sale (minor repairs,
cleaning, staging), list the home, and get it sold.We ensure the client understands their housing options, helping them choose
the right new home or retirement community to age in place.
Our clients receive personalized support from a specially trained Lifestyle55+ Affiliate
and Seniors REALTOR®. We can also introduce clients to other service providers
specialized in serving older adults. From start to finish, our clients experience a smooth,
expertly guided downsizing journey.
2. What’s your advice for someone who is considering selling their
house and moving into a new home or retirement community?
Our advice is simple: don’t wait until it’s too late!
People often tell us they don’t feel ready. But as we know from experience, it’s better to
take control of your situation sooner rather than later.
We all know of someone (an aunt, a neighbour, your grandparents) who stayed in their
family home too long and was forced to downsize in a hurry, probably amidst a health
crisis. You’re free to make a different choice—if you start now.
Take Emily, for example. She’s a recent client of ours (we’ve changed her name for
privacy reasons) who’s in her seventies. Emily lived alone in a condo unit, struggled to
eat a healthy diet, and felt her home was no longer right for her. After years of
hesitation, she finally decided to downsize.
Now, Emily’s flourishing in a retirement residence. She embraced the community’s
social atmosphere right away and eagerly signed up for painting classes. She couldn’t
be happier. Downsizing could bring you similar happiness if your situation is anything
like Emily’s.
Even if you don’t feel ready, start planning and taking small steps forward. As you make
progress, you’ll gain confidence and feel ready for your transition.
3. What help can you offer or what suggestions can you make to
those who want to age in place?
Many people, as they grow older, want to remain in their homes where they’ve built their
lives, raised families, and created lasting memories. It’s also hard to accept getting older
and needing to adapt to the changes that come with aging.
As our lives evolve, we may find that aging in place isn’t the best choice. To determine
the best way forward, we suggest you ask yourself these questions:
Are health issues or disabilities making your home hard to manage or unsafe?
Do you have unused space or rooms?
Is home maintenance too expensive or time-consuming?
Do you feel isolated and lonely at home?
Do you feel ready for a lifestyle change funded by your home equity?
If you say “yes” to any of these, downsizing could be the right decision.
Sometimes, people in this situation worry about losing control over their lives. But often,
it’s the opposite. Imagine a person with serious health challenges. Moving into a
retirement residence with care should increase their independence by alleviating the
need for family caregivers. Instead, this individual and their family members can simply
enjoy being together.
4. I want to sell my home, but I’m unsure where to start. What do you
suggest?
Selling your house and moving out can feel overwhelming. A successful home
downsizing journey starts with a solid plan. If you’re not sure where to start, you’re not
alone! A good first step is to sit down, relax, and outline your needs. At Transitions Realty, we
will work with you—as well as with any loved ones who will assist with your move—to
create a customized transition plan, starting with conversations around the following 6
core areas:
Your health and care needs
Your financial situation and home equity
Legal matters, including your will and powers of attorney
Your decluttering needs
How we’ll prepare your home for sale
Options for your next home or community
Next, we’ll coordinate and implement your plan, step by step, and pair you with any
trusted service providers you need—for example, Dynamic Downsizers, a financial
advisor, or a professional cleaning company.
5. How do I know what new home or retirement community is right for
me?
We recommend you think carefully about your housing needs and explore your options
thoroughly. At Transitions Realty, we help clients understand what kinds of homes will
best meet their needs both now and in the future. Two popular choices for downsizers
are retirement communities and smaller homes.
With retirement communities, we always try to dispel any outdated notions. One of
our favourite sayings is “It’s not your grandma’s retirement home!” Today’s retirement
residences offer a vibrant lifestyle, luxurious amenities and services, and a supportive
community atmosphere. They’re ideal places to pursue new interests and form lasting
friendships.
To determine the right fit, start by assessing the level of care you require, ranging from
independent living to assisted living or memory care. We also suggest you tour a few
communities and consider trial stays. On our website, we have a free downloadable
checklist to help you compare residences and make informed decisions.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer a smaller home, we recommend you find an accessible
property where you’ll be able to age in place safely and comfortably. For example, if you
need to avoid staircases, you might consider a condo unit or a single-storey bungalow.
If you need guidance in finding the right new home or community, we’re here to assist.
6. What do you believe is the secret to aging well?
Living in the right place, of course!
As REALTORS® and seniors experts, we’ve witnessed firsthand how finding the perfect
new home or retirement community can profoundly enhance a person’s well-being.
Our homes are more than physical spaces—they’re crucial elements in our quality of
life. The secret to aging well, in our opinion, is to live in an environment where we’re
comfortable, fulfilled, and safe, with access to care as our health needs evolve.
At Transitions Realty, we provide older adults with a stress-free downsizing journey,
ensuring they find a new place where they can thrive for years to come.
For more information on Transitions Realty please visit their website!