Moving After 50 years of Living in one Home!

Last week my sister and I had the daunting task of moving our parents from the home they have lived in for 50 years into a senior independent living community.  We grew up in this house and lived there until we left for college and got married. This was where my sister & I laughed, fought and cried together.  It is where our foundation was laid.

As a La Jolla Realtor I am used to dealing with families that are selling their childhood homes and moving seniors, but this was my home!  I wasn’t expecting the overwhelming emotions I felt as my sister & I began to pack up the house. My sister always said I cried at the drop of a hat, and she was right. When I looked out the window into the backyard and saw the three huge Torrey Pine trees that were standing tall, my eyes began to get teary. I was remembering that my Mom planted those trees 40 years ago, and the spot where our beloved dog Champagne was buried. I do cry easily.

I am sure the decision to sell the family house must be a difficult one for all families. But our decision became easier when my sister and I realized the responsibility of maintaining the house was becoming too much for my parents. For the past year and a half my sister and I researched different senior communities for them in the San Diego area. We ended up choosing the Classic Residence by Hyatt for its location, which is close to me and the many different levels of care offered.

During this process I discovered some tips I like to share which might help you when the time comes to move your loved ones out of their home:

•  Get the whole Family on board.  Everyone must agree with the decision. Even though you might be tempted don’t “surprise” a family member by sorting through their stuff when they aren’t there. If you try to make decisions for them about their belongings you are asking for controversy.
•  Don’t get rid of everything.  Try to encourage the person who is moving to be involved and participate in decisions if they can. Don’t be tempted to throw away old furniture and buy brand new pieces for your parent’s new home. They will be more comfortable in the new setting if you let them pick certain pieces of furniture they are used to. Sentimental value often counts more the aesthetics. 
•  Work slowly when packing up — think months, not days. It is important to remember that your parent’s home is the place where they feel most comfortable filled with their memories and life stories. It really needs to be a three- to four-month process. You need to give an older adult time to go through the love letters, photographs and cards.  Work room by room when organizing the move. 
• Be realistic about the size of your older relative’s new place.  Make sure you have a floor plan to scale so you know the furniture you decide to take with you will really fit in the new place.  Be realistic about space constraints up front. There are many organizations and charities willing to come to your door to pick up donations of things you will be unable to use.

 We were fortunate to hire a wonderful woman who helped us coordinate my parents move. She organized the movers, helped with the sorting of items and even hired a contractor to customize the closets in their new home. It made the process go so much more smoothly. If you want her name or other helpful hints please give me a call 619.980.2738 or visit my website.

High Surf at La Jolla Cove

It’s the end of January enjoy the sight & sound of the surf pounding at La Jolla Cove! This could be your backyard! Email me. I’ll make your move smooth!



What is your action word for 2010?

   Happy New Year! I want to wish everyone a very healthy & happy 2010! I for one am happy to see the back side of 2009 go and looking forward to the New Year. I must admit that as a La Jolla Realtor last year’s housing market was one of the most challenging I have seen in the past 18 years! The down turn in the economy and the huge mortgage meltdown created a large number of Foreclosures and Short Sales. Then there was ever present challenge that every homebuyer had with Lending Institutions across the country as they tried to obtain loans for their homes.

Yes, I am excited for 2010! When my husband and I were walking on New Year’s Day in La Jolla at the Cove we started discussing what action words would best describe our theme for 2010?  My husband’s word is awesome.  He wants an “awesome year for himself, our family and the world”. My word is abundance. I look forward to having an abundance of clients and hope to offer them premium client service, with the latest real estate information on my blog www.viewsoflajolla.com  and social media sites. I also plan on staying current with all the latest cutting edge technology that will benefit my clients.

I also want my abundance theme to carry over to my personal life! I want to stay healthy by exercising and eating more balanced meals. I want to see more laughter and happiness throughout each day, by realizing I can only control my attitude! Most importantly I want to have an abundance of Love, with my husband, daughters and extended family! Because at the end of the day family is what matters!

Here’s wishing you a very happy 2010! If you want to share your action word for 2010 or if you need any information on real estate please give me a call 619-980-2738 or visit my website

Home for the Holidays!

To Sell or Not to Sell at Holiday time .. that is the Question!

The Holidays are fast approaching and I again am being asked by clients “SELL now, or with the holidays coming up, should I wait till the first of the year?” There are always two sides to any story, or in this case two schools of thought.  Some Realtors will say wait till the first of the year as no one is interested in moving during the holidays.  Others like me,  ask what are you waiting for?

 Here are my reasons for taking immediate action if you are planning on selling:

1. When your home is on the market during the holidays the buyers you are showing your home to are generally serious buyers. Who else would be shopping for a home during this time?
2. Competition is less because sellers generally take their homes off the market at this time, believing no one is going to buy now. Not true! In the past I have had one of my strongest months in December. Your home will stand out especially if it is decorated for the season. It is also good if your neighbor’s homes are also well decorated because buyers are generally drawn to communities where the residents take pride in their property.
3. We can only control what we know. Right now interest rates are still at historical lows, but after the first of the year no one can predict if they will remain low. Also, the buzz in the real estate community is that there will be a wave of bank owned homes coming on the market. If that happens, your selling price may have to be readjusted to compete with the newer homes on the market.
4. As a La Jolla Realtor I find that in the last few months of the year there is generally an up surge of investor buyers who want to purchase an investment home before the end of the year. This would be true especially if they want to pick up a tax write off.

 So if you are thinking of putting your home on the market during the Holidays, I vote yes!  Don’t be a follower, be a leader and set your home apart from all others. There is no reason to wait and be part of the surge of properties put up For Sale at the first of the year. Wouldn’t you rather your home be in escrow or Sold instead?

 If you need any additional Real Estate information visit my website or call me at 619.980.2738.

Wind & Sea Beach La Jolla, CA

It’s a gorgeous Fall morning at Wind & Sea Beach in La Jolla, Ca! Another good reason to move to La Jolla! Email me and I’ll make your move smooth!