Moving into Assisted Living
Realtors look for “specialties and niches” to make their business successful in a highly competitive market. One niche that will need many realtors to specialize in is the market moving into assisted living. Many families have found themselves with the need to move a family member to assisted living and it is a dilemma. They need to figure out what to do with the home, the stuff, the family legacy all while the family member is still living. A realtor specializing in this passage of life can easily become a major aide along with being an advocate.
When a family finds themselves with an older member who can no longer live on their own, they face the decision to either move them into their own homes where they will take care of them or if their level of care requires more than the family can handle, into assisted living. This is an extremely difficult transition for all involved. But, a realtor with expertise can help make the process easier for all involved.
The right facility will make all the difference so a great deal of research needs to go into the choice. Having someone who has the knowledge and experience with the homes and their offerings and features will be of great relief. Cost, amenities, accessibility and references are essential.
The next step a family needs to confront is the house and the belongings of this member. If the home is going to stay in the family, then some time can be taken to sort and throw out things that are no longer needed. If the home is going to be sold right away then, the process speeds up. Make sure that the entire family is involved in the liquidation. A realtor with experience and expertise can also help in keeping things calm and not emotional. First and foremost, the member who is at the assisted living home is going to want their belongings that will make their new living arrangement comfortable and as close to home as possible. A room in an assisted living home will have limited space, so a conversation is going to be needed on what things they want to part with, what goes to other family members, what is given away and finally what needs to be trashed. A specialty realtor can help in this situation by guiding the family through dividing the household into what is going to the assisted living facility, what is being donated or thrown away and what is going to whom.
It will be up to the family to make the new room and living space feel as much like home as possible. You want them to feel as though they have moved to a new and exciting place with all the trinkets from home...not like a sterile institution. The room should have character, warmth and a stress free atmosphere. The right decor and ambiance can make a big difference to their quality of life.
A realtor specializing in this niche market can now take the family down the path of liquidating the home. They can help with all the legal channels. Only the person who owns the house can transfer the house to a buyer. If the homeowner has become incapacitated, he or she needs to have identified – through a power of attorney – someone who can act on their behalf, for the sale to take place. If the house is being sold to pay the assisted living facility, a petition needs to be filed in court asking the judge to authorize the right person to sell the house and authorize the payment to the nursing home. The basic need is that when the time comes to sell the house, the family will likely face some tough legal issues. It is highly recommended that the family doesn’t do it without help. A realtor and a lawyer specializing in elder real estate and law will make the transition much easier.
Realtors can use postcards to send out the message regarding their Specialty or Niche. Postcards are a great eye-catching, tangible marketing tool, formatted to your specific preferences and needs, with endless customization in a multitude of sizes – regular, over-sized, and custom cut. We at Everest Direct Mail & Marketing, can create colorful, attention-grabbing designs with your images, logo, and any content you’d like to include – using your own design or one created uniquely for you by our talented and experienced designers. Capture prospects’ attention through the visibility of a customized, colorful postcard in their mailbox and watch your response rates soar!
