REAL ESTATE AND CHANGES IN LIFE

HOUSING OPTIONS – ELLEE CELLER, REALTOR- Yesterday one of those interesting “coincidences” occurred:  the newspaper reported that the Milken Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank based in Santa Monica, CA, named the best ten small and ten large cities for “successful aging”.  They used 78 criteria.  The second event that happened was a dear friend asked me to come over to her home and discuss selling it.  She has been widowed only a few months.  My first recommendation is usually “don’t make any big changes for at least a year”.  But in this case and in this economy there are pressures that may require “early” decisions.  So what are your options:  renting is a great option right now: quality of renters has gone up, prices are going up and it gives one some space to emotionally regroup to make a wise decision.  But if that is not an option, talk to a Realtor who has been certified in SRES or a financial advisor who can lay all the financial options out based on your financial condition.  As we age and hopefully become wise, we know how important our friends AND family are in our lives.  When you decide to move make sure that the area you move to is “friendly”: church, Booster Club (Jacksonville, OR has undoubtedly the best and friendliest in the country, but I am sure there are others), college classes or arts and crafts, etc.  You know what floats your boat!  But try not to depend on the busy children/grandchildren too much–they can’t help it–their pace is quite different from ours.  Oh, don’t forget the gym:  I have become personally addicted to Pilates!