Tag: downsizing

  • Downsizing Your Home in Retirement

    If you are approaching retirement or are already there, you may be considering downsizing your home. It’s a big decision, with ramifications for both your finances and lifestyle. As you think about downsizing, here are some things to keep in mind:

    Decide if a move makes sense. You can expect your needs and priorities to shift in retirement. Perhaps you won’t require as much square footage as you did when raising children, or you may find it challenging to keep up with home maintenance like you used to. It may be financially prudent and personally necessary to get out from under the costs and responsibilities of maintaining a larger property. Your location preference may shift, too. It is common for retirees to desire living closer to family members or in warmer climates.

    Create a timeline for your move. Discuss the pros and cons of selling your family home now or in the future. External market factors can affect your next step. Timing the sale of your home and the purchase of a new one can be tricky. Be prepared in the event your home doesn’t sell quickly.

    Consult a real estate professional. A real estate professional can help you determine what needs to be done before putting your house up for sale. Your home may need repairs to meet code or maximize its list price. Get an appraisal of current market value and decide what you’ll be comfortable spending on a new, smaller home.

    Review your housing options. Once you decide to downsize, start looking for a new place that meets your needs and budget. If you’re considering a condo or townhome (two popular options) make sure to factor in fees or assessments that are charged to residents when calculating the overall cost. If you’re in need of assisted living services, you’ll want to assess those costs—and whether they can be offset by long-term care insurance. In terms of location, you may want to think about the proximity of amenities and services including grocery stores, transportation and your doctor’s office.

    Be prepared for a multi-gen conversation. A change as impactful as selling your home may prompt conversations with family members about your estate. Downsizing usually requires whittling down the personal possessions. If you’re moving to a residence with managed maintenance, you won’t need the lawn mower or other tools in your garage. That extra set of dishes might be more useful to someone else. If you’re thinking of giving items to family members, be prepared for different generations having different interests and attachments to your home and belongings. Establish how you want to explain your lifestyle goals for retirement so family members can support you through the process.

    Review your finances carefully. Thoroughly review the financial implications of your specific situation. Downsizing does not necessarily mean you will suddenly have a cash windfall or establish enormous savings. Remember that HOA expenses, lifestyle changes and upgrades in construction quality can add to costs. Moving to a retirement area that has more built-in services can increase your cost of living, as well. Taking the time to explore the intricacies of your situation can prepare you for the next steps. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. A qualified financial advisor can help you navigate this complex process with confidence.

    MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP,® CFS,® CLTC, CRPC®
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu, HI 96814
    808-952-1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com
    ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.w.yee

    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, CRPC®, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. in Honolulu, Hawai‘i. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 41 years.

    Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.

    Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value.

    Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC.
    ©2025 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

    If you are approaching retirement or are already there, you may be considering downsizing your home. It’s a big decision, with ramifications for both your finances and lifestyle. As you think about downsizing, here are some things to keep in mind: Decide if a move makes sense. You can expect your needs and priorities to…

  • Should I Downsize After Retirement?

    If you are approaching retirement or are already there, you may be considering downsizing your home. It’s a big decision, with ramifications for both your finances and your lifestyle. Here are some things to keep in mind:
    ■ Decide if a move makes sense. Your needs and priorities may shift in retirement. Perhaps you won’t require as much square footage as you once did, or you may find that maintaining your home is now a challenge.

    It may be financially prudent and personally necessary to get out from under the costs and responsibilities of maintaining a larger property. Your location preference may shift, too. Commonly, retirees desire to live closer to family or in a warmer climate.

    ■ Create a timeline for your move. Discuss the pros and cons of selling your family home now or in the future. External market factors can affect your next step. Timing the sale of your home and the purchase of a new one can be tricky. Be prepared in the event your home doesn’t sell quickly.

    ■ Consult a real estate professional. A real estate professional can help you determine what needs to be done before putting your house up for sale. Your home may need repairs to meet code or maximize its list price. Get an appraisal of current market value and decide what you’ll be comfortable spending on a new, smaller home.

    ■ Review your housing options. Once you decide to downsize, you can start looking for a new place that meets your needs and budget. If you’re considering a condo or townhome (two popular options for retirees) make sure to factor in any fees or assessments that are charged to residents when calculating the overall cost of ownership. If you’re in need of assisted living services, you’ll also want to get a handle on those costs — and whether they can be offset by any long-term care insurance you may have — so you can plan accordingly. In terms of location, you may want to think about the proximity of amenities and services including grocery stores, transportation and your doctor’s office.

    ■ Be prepared for a multi-gen conversation. A change as impactful as selling your home may prompt conversations with family members on the topic of your estate. Downsizing usually requires whittling down the personal possessions you’ve acquired over the years. If you’re moving to a residence with managed maintenance, you won’t need the lawn mower, snowblower or other tools in your garage. If you’re thinking of giving items to family members, be prepared for the possibility of different generations having different interests and attachments to your home and belongings. It can be a good idea to establish how you want to explain to family members your lifestyle goals for retirement, so they can support you through the process.

    ■ Review your finances carefully. Take the time to thoroughly review the financial implications of your situation. Just because you are downsizing does not necessarily mean you will suddenly have a cash windfall or establish enormous savings. Remember that HOA expenses, lifestyle changes and upgrades in construction quality can add to costs. Additionally, if you choose to move to a retirement area that has more built-in services, it can increase your cost of living, as well. Taking the time to explore the intricacies of your situation can prepare you for the next steps. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. A qualified financial advisor can help you navigate this complex process with confidence.

    MICHAEL W. K. YEE, CFP,® CFS,® CLTC, CRPC®
    1585 Kapiolani Blvd., Ste. 1100, Honolulu, HI 96814
    808-952-1240 | michael.w.yee@ampf.com
    ameripriseadvisors.com/michael.w.yee

    Michael W. K. Yee, CFP®, CFS®, CLTC, CRPC ®, is a Private Wealth Advisor, Certified Financial Planner ™ practitioner, with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Honolulu, HI. He specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 40 years. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2023 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved.

    If you are approaching retirement or are already there, you may be considering downsizing your home. It’s a big decision, with ramifications for both your finances and your lifestyle. Here are some things to keep in mind:■ Decide if a move makes sense. Your needs and priorities may shift in retirement. Perhaps you won’t require…

  • Caregivers Can Help Seniors Downsize

    Portrait of Young caregiver in uniform hugging smiling elderly man or patient in wheelchair during a home visit and spending time together. Love, Family or Assistant or elderly caregiver conceptWhen the time comes for Mom and Dad to move or downsize for safety reasons, they may find it difficult to decide what to do with what they consider to be their precious heirlooms. Designating items to friends, family or charities in a will or trust will ensure their destination, while passing on these items before the inevitable occurs can give both the giver and the receiver tangible pleasure in the here and now. Whether it is decided to gift now or designate items to friends, family or  charities later, the task can be a daunting one. Where to begin?

    But the first steps to giving the control of what happens to these items can be facilitated by someone close to the loved one, like a son or a daughter who is also a caregiver. That is where their role as caregiver can expand in order to help parents decide what they want to do with their prized possessions (or clutter). The intimate relationship and conversations between a caregiving relative and a loved one can help retrieve memories that can help determine what may be most valued by who.

    A caregiver can also invite family members to talk to Mom and Dad about items they would love to have someday. These conversations can move the senior to a comfortable mindset for getting rid of years of both trash and treasures, helping to spark the process of downsizing and decluttering.

    SENIOR MOVE MANAGERS/DE-CLUTTER HAWAII
    808-779-6224 | info@smmhawaii.com
    www.smmhawaii.com

    When the time comes for Mom and Dad to move or downsize for safety reasons, they may find it difficult to decide what to do with what they consider to be their precious heirlooms. Designating items to friends, family or charities in a will or trust will ensure their destination, while passing on these items…

  • Help for Seniors in Transition

    The National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM) recently held its annual conference for over 400 members who were there to learn, network and share ideas.

    NASMM is recognized for its innovative programs and expertise related to senior move management, transition and relocation issues affecting older adults.

    NASMM companies specialize in assisting older adults and their families with the emotional and physical aspects of relocation and/or “aging in place.”

    NASMM members are experienced professionals bound by a pledge of integrity, committed to safety and ethics, and dedicated to development.

    NASMM is comprised of a very small group of companies. Although they compete with one another, it was apparent at the conference that there is a common spirit of cooperation and “‘ohana.”

    When seniors move — for whatever reason — their lifetime of possessions and precious memories may require downsizing and selling — all done with tender, loving care and compassion.

    NASMM members aim to meet each client’s personalized needs.

    SENIOR MOVE MANAGERS/DE-CLUTTER HAWAII
    808-779-6224 | info@smmhawaii.com
    www.smmhawaii.com

    When seniors move — for whatever reason — their lifetime of possessions and precious memories may require downsizing and selling — all done with tender, loving care and compassion. NASMM members aim to meet each client’s personalized needs.