Bruce Nemovitz

I was pondering the many gifts I have been blessed with as I thought about my career. Many of those nuggets of wisdom were sent my way by my senior clients. The following are some of the thoughts that came to mind as I scanned my past experiences, as I helped many folks through the process of moving from their homes of many years to the senior communities that they had chosen.

'I wish I had done it sooner'. I've heard this phrase so many times from my clients who were sure they would never find the peace and happiness they had experienced in their home of many years. So many times, I participated in helping my seniors prepare their home for sale, sell their property, and guide them through the moving process. During that transitional period, there were many doubts and misgivings about the move, and the fear of whether they would enjoy their new surroundings. Sure enough, about 2-3 months after settling into their new community, the call came. I love my new home! 'I'm socializing again. I have freedom and independence without the worry of managing my home. Thank you for helping me make the move'.

'Just do it!' Procrastination and hesitation would paralyze so many of my senior customers. I would visit them year after year and listen to their stories about the putting off of a move they knew they should make. The stairs were a challenge, driving was a problem, isolation had set in, yet they could not get themselves to begin the downsizing process and put their homes on the market. Fear of change had prevented them from leaving a known to an unknown. What broke the cycle of procrastination? They woke up one day and decided to just do it! Just like the Nike commercial, they decided to move without hesitation. That moment seems to come like an epiphany. I don't know how it happens, but I've seen that moment arrive for no apparent reason. When that feeling arrives, my clients seized on it and began their move never to look back.

'You'll have to take me out in a box!' How many times I've heard that phrase, only to get a call that they had found a wonderful senior community with the living style and physical surroundings which met all of their living needs. I hear this statement more from my male clients than female. One couple at one of my moving seminars drove home the point in a humorous manor. The woman stood up and said that she wanted to make a move from their home to senior housing for many years. She said that her husband sitting next to her would never leave their home. He stated that the only way he would move was to be taken out in a box some day. She then proclaimed that the last time he said that, she had told him, 'when they take you out in the box, would you please take all of your junk with you!' The audience laughed and her husband did make the move without being put in a box! Never say never!

The bottom line is that we all have our comfort zones. Procrastination can stop us from making decisions which could improve our lives and add peace, security and freedom to our lifestyles. Over 76% of my senior clients surveyed said that they were happy in their new housing, and many said they had wished they had done it sooner. Yet, most of those 76% waited longer than they should have. Hindsight is 20/20. Wouldn't it be nice if we could avoid the pitfalls of procrastination and have the foresight to see the happiness and peace before we make the decision to move. Looking to friends and relatives who have made that transition is a way to develop that 20/20 vision. Talk to others who have simplified their lives and see how they enjoy their new lifestyle!

Bruce Nemovitz is a Senior Real Estate Specialist, and a Certified Senior Advisor. You can contact Bruce and his team at 262-242-6177 or his email at Bruce@BrucesTeam.com.