Moving Your Parents : What You Need to Know

After spending many years living in a family home, it can be a daunting task to move parents out and into new arrangements. Here are a few important things to consider before starting the process.

Be Realistic – It Can Be a Process 

Don’t expect that your parents will love the idea of leaving their home that is filled with years worth of treasured memories. It’s best to begin the dialogue about selling their home and moving early. This will give them the opportunity to process the idea and embrace the benefits of a simpler lifestyle. 

Consider Their Preferred Neighbourhood(s)

Some seniors will thrive moving within their own community, where they may have long term friends and familiar surroundings. Others may decide to relocate to another neighbourhood in order to be closer to grandkids or other family members. Everyone’s situation is unique. It’s really important to understand your parents’ wishes and what’s best for their lifestyle. 

✓ Want to learn more about what help is available to move your parents? Have a look at these posts:

• What Help is Available to Move Seniors?
• Explore Etobicoke’s Communities

Include Your Parent in the Search 

Your parents should be part of the process when selecting their next home. It can be helpful for them to see the maintenance free lifestyle options available in different communities. They may also discover a desirable opportunity to engage with like-minded seniors. There may be organized activities, hobby and craft rooms, theatres, games rooms, fitness centres and pools that spark their interest and help streamline the selection process. Visiting different homes is an excellent opportunity to help your parents visualize their next phase of life. 

Condo or Retirement Home? What’s Best?

Condos offer a great option for a simpler lifestyle. There are no stairs and the property maintenance responsibilities are eliminated when moving to a condo. However, if a parent needs any sort of assisted living, including meal preparation, a retirement home may be a better option. Some retirement homes offer graduated services. This ensures that as your parent’s need for assistance increases, the home is able to accommodate them, ultimately reducing the chance of a second move. 

✓ Explore and learn more about all of Etobicoke’s condos in our exclusive condo guide right here.

 What’s Best – Buy or Sell First?

It’s a big deal for most seniors to move forward with selling their home. Putting their property on the market before solidifying their next home can be overwhelming. It’s usually better to confirm their new arrangements and then begin the process of getting the family home ready to sell. 

What about Renting?

Renting is definitely a viable option, however it is important to consider all possible scenarios.  Many retirement homes offer long term rentals – which may be a good fit if your parents are looking to join a retirement home community.  Renting a condo is also an option, however, there will always be a risk that the landlord decides to sell the unit, forcing your parents to leave and relocate for a second time. In this case, it’s best to find a condo that offers corporate long term leases.

It’s Time to Sell the Family Home – Don’t Try to Tackle this Alone.

The ThompsonSells team specializes in and has a lot of experience helping move seniors.  Learn more about how we can help make the process easier for you and your family to sell the family home, the ThompsonSells way, right here.