If you’ve recently lost a parent, your surviving parent might feel lonely and vulnerable living on their own now, especially if they’re a senior.
So perhaps you’ve thought about offering to move into a larger home with them.
If so, remember that it’s important to first give yourself time to grieve.
But when you’re ready, these tips will hopefully help you through this major lifestyle change.
Give Yourselves Time to Grieve
First, as mentioned above, it’s important not to rush the emotional process of grieving and moving forward.
Your surviving parent may have decided that upsizing is the smartest option, but they might need some more time in the home that they shared with their spouse for many years.
Don’t push them to start looking for a new home until they’re ready.
Create a Budget
Once you and your surviving parent have both agreed that it’s time to start looking for a new and bigger home, you’ll need to look at your financial portfolios first and decide how you’ll be purchasing the home.
You may want to take out a mortgage in your name and have your parent pay rent to you, or you might be interested in purchasing the home in cash with the profits from your parents’ former home.
Speaking with a financial advisor can help you to make the smartest decision.
Find the Right Realtor
Next, you’ll want to connect with a great realtor.
Your realtor should understand that you’ll be looking for a home that suits your surviving parent’s needs as a senior while also providing you with enough space for your own needs as well.
MillionAcres recommends finding a realtor who’s licensed in your state and specializes in finding homes for seniors. Someone with these qualifications will be able to give you expert insight!
Look for a Home With Ideal Features
Now you’re ready to begin house hunting.
Before you start scheduling viewings, it’s a good idea to consider what features your surviving parent will require. Not all homes are designed for those who are aging, so you’ll need to be selective about the properties you view.
Which features should be prioritized? Assisted Living recommends looking for a home with wide doorways and hardwood floors. You’ll most likely also need to modify the kitchen and bathroom with safety features such as lower countertops and grab bars after you move in, so make sure that these rooms can be easily renovated.
It’s also important to consider how safe a particular neighborhood is before you buy a home.
Hire Movers
So at this point, you’ve probably had an offer accepted on a home that you both love. Yay!
The moving process will be time-consuming, but decluttering your parents’ former home and your own home in advance can make it easier.
Once you’ve cleared out the items that you no longer need, you can begin packing and hiring movers who offer large furniture moving assistance.
Start by checking out online reviews of movers in your area. Once you’ve identified a few companies that seem promising, you can get in touch with them to discuss your needs and get price quotes.
But if you’re concerned about the costs, you can always prioritize looking for moving companies that are offering credits or deals to their customers for extra savings!
From finding the right home to moving your belongings, upsizing with your senior parent can be a long process. After all, this is a major lifestyle change for both of you!
But with these tips, you can hopefully purchase the perfect house and finally settle in together.
Do you have some of your own tips? Share one in the comments below!
A special thanks to Sharon Wagner of Senior Friendly.
Resources:
“5 Must-Have Home Modifications for Seniors Aging in Place.” AssistedLiving.org, 24 June 2021, www.assistedliving.org/home-modifications-for-seniors-aging-in-place/.
“Good Neighborhoods for Aging: What Makes Them That Way (Or Not).” Senior Care Corner, 6 Feb. 2020, seniorcarecorner.com/good-neighborhoods-for-aging.
Mastroeni, Tara. “How to Choose a Realtor: Finding the Right Agent.” Millionacres, Millionacres, 8 June 2021, www.millionacres.com/real-estate-market/homebuying/how-to-find-a-realtor/.
Naman, Mard. “10 Factors to Consider Before Moving Your Elderly Parents In.” Senior Navigator, 3 Jan. 2020, seniornavigator.org/article/66967/10-factors-consider-moving-your-elderly-parents.
Poplin, Julianna. “How to Declutter a Loved One’s Personal Belongings After Death.” The Simplicity Habit, 2 Mar. 2021, www.thesimplicityhabit.com/how-to-declutter-personal-belongings-after-death/.
“Top 10 Furniture Movers Near Me: Pros, Deals & Grades.” Angi, www.angi.com/nearme/furniture-moving/.
Ward, Katherine. “What Self-Love Really Means in Grief.” Grief Personalized, 27 Feb. 2021, griefpersonalized.com/2021/02/26/what-self-love-really-means-in-grief/.
Wichter, Zach. “How Much House Can I Afford?” Bankrate, 6 Jan. 2020, www.bankrate.com/calculators/mortgages/new-house-calculator.aspx.