In this new series, we will cover the key steps for seniors who are looking to sell their home. We will look at everything from your housing and healthcare needs to the legal and financial issues that might arise during the process.

To get started, let’s look at the reasons why you might be considering a move in the first place.

Moving can be a daunting task for anyone, but for seniors and their families it can be especially tough. The family home represents so much – the place they raised their family, where cherished memories were made, where they gathered with friends and where community ties and family bonds were made. It can be very difficult to think about letting go of the place that holds these special memories.

While many seniors would prefer to continue living in their own home, sometimes the circumstances don’t make this the ideal choice. A move is sometimes the better option. Some of the reasons to consider a move include:

• Home maintenance becomes a burden – physically, financially or both
• Financial situation makes it difficult to keep or maintain the home
• Prefer to live closer to children or grandchildren
• Health requires support services that are not available at home
• Major life event (death of a spouse, sudden onset of illness, injury, etc.) forces a move.

Whatever the reason, this series will help you with the options available as well as the issues you might face as you decide to make a move.

In our next installment we will look at some of the housing options available to older adults and the benefits of each.