Dear David,
My husband and I have been living in the same upscale townhouse for 20 years. It’s getting harder to stay here. My husband requires daily nursing care, and we’ve found a retirement community that can support his complex needs. Our Realtor said this house would sell without much effort, but it’s been a few months, and it’s still sitting on the market. What do you think we should do now? – FEELING STUCK
DEAR STUCK: It’s encouraging to hear you’ve found a housing option that can accommodate you and your husband. Waterloo Region has several retirement communities that cater to couples with differing lifestyle needs. When daily nursing care is part of your routine, you need to make your husband’s needs (and respite for you) a priority.
Typically, I advise people in your situation to move into their new accommodations as soon as possible. There isn’t much to be gained by sitting around waiting for your house to sell, and your husband’s daily care can’t take a back seat to tidiness and showing appointments. I recommend moving onto your new place while you have the chance, which may inadvertently speed up the sale of your current home.
Preparing a house for sale often starts with decluttering, especially when you’ve been living there for several decades. By moving some of your furniture pieces into your next residence, you’ll jump-start the decluttering process and give your current space a chance to breathe. Your pre-sale preparation could go in a few different directions. A fresh coat of paint could modernize the space, or a stager might bring in props or decorative touches to give the house some pizzazz. If you’ve gotten a lukewarm market response so far, it’s time to take some action – even if your Realtor thought it wouldn’t take much to sell this house.
Have a frank conversation with your agent about where the challenges lie, where the market is going, and what you can do differently. If what you’ve done so far isn’t working, it’s never too late to make a change. You can stage a home and take new photos in a matter of days, which often makes a huge difference. A lack of attention to detail right out of the gate may be what’s behind your less-than-desirable results.
PRO TIP: If you’re feeling overwhelmed by personal demands and the prospect of moving, it’s no wonder you were tempted by the quick-and-easy route to getting your house on the market. A successful outcome takes effort, which is why I follow the same recipe for each and every client. If painting and staging is too much to fathom while you’re still in the house, get moving now. A little inconvenience and expense can pay off in terms of results, and I’ve never regretted being overly prepared. #Advice #AskDavid #TheNegotiator
David is a top-selling Broker in Kitchener-Waterloo Region. He works personally with you when selling or buying your home. Call or text today for your free home evaluation! 519-577-1212.
