I Am An Accredited Senior Agent

A few years ago, I found myself very lucky in meeting 2 gentlemen...Chris Newell and Barry Lebow.  At the time, they were both teaching the Accreditation Programme to agents who were looking to tap into the senior market.  I have applied my knowledge many times because I do live in a neighbourhood where many seniors reside.  You may wonder why I'm writing this!  Well, I have a short story to share with you.

As the weather has turned nicer, there have been a few homes that have come on the market in the Sheridan Homelands neighbourhood.  I was out previewing homes for buyers who are interested in trying to set their roots here.  Because I have lived here for going on 30 years, I do have some knowledge of what's going on in the Real Estate Market.

I was previewing a home yesterday and this lovely little old lady was so confused as to what was happening and how busy her home was.  She was smart as a whip, but the activity was just too much for that day.  As I was finishing my peek-a-boo, she asked if I had a minute to chat with her.  Of course I did!  I wasn't looking to interfere with the Listing Agent, but I was lending an ear.  She told me about the passing of her husband and her surgery a few months back.  She told me where she was going to go from here.  She told me about her family.  She told me about her neighbours and how she was going to miss them.  I was there far longer than necessary, but she just needed someone at that particular moment to keep her company.  I told her that she had an excellent agent looking out for her, and that was the truth. because she was asking about what to do with her stuff.  I told her to ask her agent because I am sure she will be able to help her.

This brought me back to what I have said on my videos and in other blog posts.  It is a difficult time for someone who has lived in a home for MANY years to move.  They have accumulated so many things, all of a sudden they have to get rid of it, sell it, donate it...whatever...and they're not ready to part with it.  The house is on the market...it will sell quickly I'm sure...and then it depends on the closing date.  She was getting nervous whether she could empty the place out on time and who would help her with the move.  She was more worried about her garden because the landscaper she uses wasn't able to come and mow the lawn and finish planting flowers because of all the rain.  What a sweetheart!

I got off track here...if you are reaching that age where the house you reside in is too big, perhaps it's time to sit down and chat about 'the  move'.  I have an aging parent myself, and I would truly love to see her move when she wants to and where she wants to move to, before this decision is made for her. 

You may ask: "Why use an Accredited Senior Agent"?  Well, we are trained in special skills and we have the dedication needed to work with the mature and senior client.  We know the local retirement living options that are available and we can provide that information for you quite readily.  If you have family members who are going to be involved, we can take the burden of this move off their shoulders.  We do it all for you in the least stressful way that we can. Because we all know that moving is more stressful than it's made out to be.  We are there to help you make the right choice...and it will be YOUR choice!

Too all who I have talked to, and to all that might consider making a move, feel free to give me a call directly at 416 427 1875.  I do answer my phone.  I will never use any pressure tactics but I will be there when you need a strong shoulder or just a listening ear.  Let me know how I can help!

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
DIRECT/TEXT: 416 427 1875
EMAIL: betty@bettybart.com
www.bettybart.com
not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

 

Freedom 55 Retirement Living

When you hear the word ‘retirement’, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?  A frail person, with an oxygen tank attached to them and living in a residence with constant care with nothing to do but to watch birds fly and the sun come up and then set at the end of the day!

I’m very happy to say that things have changed.  Now, instead of sitting back and watching grass grow, more of us want to use the extra time, energy, and the extra cash that we have received from the sale of our properties.  We want to travel, which is one of the things that is on everyone’s bucket list!

Today, retirees want a home where they can travel from and entertain in.  Health issues are still there but most of us stay fit longer and have access to better medical care than, let’s say, our parents.

Is there a ‘perfect’ Retirement Home?  Probably not.  It becomes perfect when it meets the requirements of aging and changing needs.

When you decide to move to a smaller home or a retirement community, there are many advantages – smaller homes translate to lower costs and less maintenance; and retirement communities ensure your neighbours are of the same generation and have made the same lifestyle decision as yourself.

Staying in your current home is more economical if your mortgage is paid off.  If you still have a mortgage, you’ll need to figure out if your retirement income will be high enough for you to continue the payments.  You should evaluate whether it meets your physical needs.  If it needs remodeling, do you really want to undertake these projects?

You have many choices if you decide to move:

Perhaps a condominium or an apartment is your future.  The condo lifestyle has been a favorite by empty nesters for a long time.  They vary in size and price and have all the facilities that you would want or need.  Perhaps you would like a peace and quiet of waterfront living or even living in the countryside.  Condo life has advantages – short on maintenance, long on amenities, offer more opportunity to socialize.  They are much more affordable and a great way to still own property and downsize at the same time.

How about a Bungalow?  You have the opportunity to own a house with a yard, minimal maintenance, smaller, and everything is on one level!

RetirementCommunities

In this day and age, retirement communities are resort-like.  You have the best of both worlds.  You have condo type living and then you have assistance if you need it.  For example, when you first move in you may not need care and supervision.  But, as time passes, your needs change and these communities have been set up to change with these needs for you.

Giving up a home where you have lived for many years is frightening.  It is emotionally and mentally draining.  It is better to start to plan for this move so that you can make the decision yourself instead of having someone else make the decision for you and you end up where you don’t want to be.

Moving is overwhelming and stressful – especially emotionally.  Once you’ve decided that you’re ready, talk to someone about your options.  The best contact would be to an Accredited Senior Agent (ASA) who has the patience and team behind them for discussions factors that you need to consider:  the daily lifestyle you are looking for; proximity to children or family; type of climate you would like to enjoy; health and medical needs.  After these points are addressed, now we can proceed a little further - what is your budget – this is important.  If you have been careful with your finances you should have enough funds to cover the monthly expenses for a retirement home of your choice.

I have my ASA accreditation and am ready to start to chat about YOUR needs and wants.  I can provide a free estimate ofthe value of your current home and give you information about the type of property will best suit your retirement lifestyle.  Freedom 55 is within your reach.  Call me, Betty, at 416 427 1875.  My team is ready to get things started.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office:  905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site:  www.bettybart.com

 

 

March 18 Betty's Pics Of The Week Lorne Park

Prestigious Lorne Park is located east of Clarkson, south of Erindale, west of Port Credit and the Credit River, and north of Lake Ontario. The area is noted as mainly residential. 

My web site is a sought after resource for the weekly postings of available Lorne Park properties.  By accessing Betty's Pic of the Week and signing up for the instantly downloadable report, you can receive up to date information of some of the homes that are available in this elegant community.

Here is a list of Homes for Sale in the Lorne Park Community of Mississauga.   I will be updating this list on a regular basis, so please feel free to come back several times and see what's new.

Click here to view properties of interest.

Contact me directly at 416 427 1875 at your convenience for more information and more information on living in Mississauga…either freehold or condominium.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
905 828 3434
Cell: 416-427-1875
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com
Fine Homes in Nine Oh Five
Toll Free: 1 866 838 3434
PERSISTANT AND PATIENT IN GETTING RESULTS!!! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED
not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract

 



Happy Vacations

As March Break/Reading Week and the summer holiday season approaches, we start thinking about travelling.  Travelling is a wonderful way to see the world.  It doesn’t matter whether you do a road trip, camping trip, or a flight to far off places, a vacation can turn into an experience that you quickly want to forget.  How?  Well, exhausting itineraries, eating an abundance of rich and unfamiliar foods, illness just to name a few.  You need a little advanced planning.

I have come up with a few helpful hints that may help.  I have collected them from others, and have used some of my own, to allow everyone to enjoy the journey.

Be Organized

Putting everything in one folder helps.  That includes, maps, telephone numbers, insurance information, flight times, hotel reservations, tickets to events that you may be attending.  Also, make sure you put photo copies of your personal information like driver’s license, passport and credit cards separately from your pockets or purse.  When you create this second set, give them to someone you trust that is not travelling with you – perhaps a close friend or a family member.  If you need them, they should be able to fax/email them to you if an emergency situation occurs. 

Pack A Medicine Bag

It’s easy to catch a cold or suffer digestive problems when you are away.  Make certain to include some pain and allergy medication.  If you have prescribed medication, make sure to take the bottle with you with enough medication to last the trip and perhaps a couple extra days for the ‘just in case’ scenario.  Some of this stuff cannot be brought on the plane so, if you are flying, make sure.

Use Technology

How many of us travel with our phones and laptops/iPads?  At least one member of the family will have one device.  If you have a cell phone, make sure you contact you provider to change it to holiday mode so that you don’t get a huge bill when you get back.  As for flying, it has become much easier.  You can now check-in for your flight before you leave home and select your seat.  I have scanned my boarding pass directly from the iPad which saves that extra piece of paper. 

Bring Snacks

Make sure you have dry snacks packed.  Fruit and water is always a good idea.  If you’re flying, you may not be able to do that until you get past security.

When travelling, make sure you are as comfortable as possible.  Wear loose fitting clothing and keep a warm sweater handy for those cool breezes. 

Plan ahead and all should be well.  The most important thing to remember, there is a light at the end of the tunnel – your destination – and time with your family and loved ones. 

Enjoy your holidays.  You wait all year for them to come around!

Betty Bartusevcius, Sales Representative
RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage
Office: 905 828 3434
Direct: 416 427 1875
betty@bettybart.com
www.bettybart.com

Retirement Living In Mississauga

As the years start to slip by us, we start wondering whether we have saved enough for our retirement and look forward when our time will become our own.

We look forward to being able to go on outings to the casinos or even to sporting events.  If you are a golfer, or like me pretend to be, those snowbird trips south sound more and more appealing.  So, if we're going to participate in all of this activity are you ready to downsize from the family home?

The decision to make a move from your current residence into a retirement community is a difficult one.  We hear horror stories about the treatment of the elderly in some of these homes.  We don't want to put our parents into them, and we certainly don't want to live in them!

This type of move is one of the biggest challenges we, as Canadians, have to face.  And, we do it with our heals dug into the ground.  How does anyone expect us to leave our home where we have so many memories and prized possessions that we have collected over the years.  These possessions are dear to us, to others they are just things.  But as the years go by, we may in fact need more assistance with the day to day routines we currently do in our lives.

I watch my mother, and at times, yes, she is capable of living alone, but then there are those times and days were it not for my sister living so close that she is incapable of handling things on her own.  She becomes forgetful and lost.

Boomers of this day and age are starting to change things a little bit and now are starting to plan ahead.  Do you really need that huge yard and it's upkeep?  Do you use ALL the rooms in your home or just 3 possibly 4?  When was the last time you went to the basement to check out those boxes that are neatly packed in a row?  Have you become a storage facility for your children, if you were so blessed, because they don't have the space to keep their 'memory boxes' in their own place?

Many mature buyers and sellers have unique requirements, inclusive of needing knowledge of future housing options, transition to your new home, taxation and estate regulations, and there's more.

Let me help you make the best decisions for YOU when it comes time to make a change in your residence.  Don't let the years slip by and find yourself making this decision due to CIRCUMSTANCE instead of BY CHOICE.  Making the change due to circumstance is not the most satisfying way, nor the best solution.

I have a team in place that could guide you in your move.  Call me today and let's set a time to talk about your options.  Click here to find out the great Retirement Communities that are available in Mississauga.

Betty Bartusevicius, Sales Representative  ASA

RE/MAX Realty Specialists Inc., Brokerage

Direct: 416 427 1875
Toll Free: 1 866 838 3434
Email: betty@bettybart.com
Web Site: http://www.bettybart.com
Fine Homes in 905

PERSISTANT AND PATIENT IN DELIVERING RESULTS! ALL REFERRALS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED

not intended to solicit buyers or sellers under brokerage contract