November’s newsletter has been taken over by Bob who is truly my right hand man after I had shoulder surgery on my right rotator cuff and my arm is in a sling for the month. Take it away, Bob! Is Your House Too Big for You? From Bob: Read this informative article and you will know the answer. Then, call Cathy who can give you a hand (left one)! How to tell if you…
I was honored to be interviewed for my downsizing expertise in the April issue of Waterways Magazine featuring an article, The Upside of Downsizing. Check out the full article along with the April issue of Waterways here.
Q. What is the biggest mistake empty nesters make when preparing to leave their nests? A. Easy one! Starting too late to get rid of stuff. Every client who has “rightsized” with me has said the same thing; “We should have started the process when the kids first left home!” Still hanging on to the kid’s toys or items that are outdated and obsolete? Do you have boxes that you haven’t opened in over a…
Q. Do you see the trend in downsizing changing the mix of the types of properties being sold? A. Yes I do. In fact so does the Austin Board of Realtors who track home sales in the greater Austin area. Their latest report for January and going forward will now reflect all residential properties — single-family homes, condominiums and town homes — rather than single-family homes only. This is because more home buyers purchase condos…
Q. We have a number in mind that we want to sell our house for but want to know how realistic we are about our expectations? A. Whether it’s personal attachment, what a neighbor’s house sold for or some number on a popular third party real estate site, people often have their own idea of what they want for their property. But is that price realistic? The only way to get an idea is to…
Thinking of downsizing can be stressful. Better Homes & Gardens recently published and article featuring several realtors who specialize in helping homeowners make the transition to a smaller home. I was excited to be one of those who shared their thoughts. Here’s what Itold them. Giving yourself more time can also help you make more informed decisions. You can check out new neighborhoods, states, and even countries. “I recommend to my clients that perhaps they…
~Ask Cathy~ Q. I am interested in downsizing but how do I decide what size home I really need? A. One of the best ways to decide how much space you’ll really need in your next home is by assessing how you are using your current home. Take an honest look at how many rooms you really use now. I’ll bet many of the “must have” rooms aren’t used that much. Formal dining rooms…