News For Seniors • May 29, 2013

Moving Mom and Dad

by Debi Bloomquist

Posted on April 4th, 2013 by Margit Novack

Sometimes it starts with a phone call at 2 AM. “Your mom had a stroke.” Sometimes there is simply a gradual worsening of chronic conditions, and over time the home that worked so well for so many years is too burdensome. In either case, your life is turned upside down. There are hundreds of decisions to be made: where will your parents move, what will go with them, what will happen to everything else? Your parents are overwhelmed, and so are you.

If you’re a typical Boomer, you take pride in multitasking, getting things done, crossing things off your list. The problem is, your parents may have a different agenda. Faced with the multitude of losses that accompany old age, they may cling fiercely to independence and the need to be in control. They may also be focused on reviewing their life and creating legacy. These different agendas can create conflict and impede progress. Listed below are our top 10 tips for Helping Mom and Dad Move. The tips are designed to maximize your parents’ sense of control and respect their need to reminisce, because honoring your parents includes honoring their agenda, as well.

Tip #1: Let your parents’ emotional and physical comfort guide the process.

Your parents’ priorities and perspective may differ from yours. Seemingly insignificant items may be loaded with personal meaning and memories, and objects of great material value may be less important. They may prefer old, worn objects to newer ones in better condition. Honor their decisions.

Your parents may have a sequence in which they need to proceed that differs from your own. If books are very special to your parents, for example, they may need to determine what will happen to the volumes not going with them before they are willing to focus on other issues. Attempting to force your parents to proceed in a sequence that doesn’t address their priorities usually results in arguments and inattention

Tip #2: Try to replicate the old environment.

Your parents will be experiencing a lot of change. It will be comforting to have some things stay the same. Take photos of each shelf in the china closet, the arrangement of pictures on the wall, and of items on bureaus and end tables. The photos will help you recreate the feel of the former home with speed and accuracy and will make the new residence look and feel more like home.

Tip #3: Focus on sorting, not packing.

Preparing for a senior move is a major organizational challenge. There may be decades of belongings to sort through in attics, basements, spare rooms and closets. In addition to what is going to your parents’ new home, there may be things going to family members throughout the country, as well as the church bazaar, Purple Heart, an auction house, and the township dump. It is here, more than anywhere else, that your help is needed. Helping your parents sort and organize their belongings is the single most important thing you can do to reduce stress, save money, and ensure a smooth move.

Tip #4: Accept their gifts.

Your parents may want to give you items they cannot use, including things you don’t want. Take them anyway. Store them in your basement if you must, but accept them graciously. Your parents will be parting with a great deal. Knowing that cherished objects, and even ordinary things, are with family members makes it easier to part with things and reduces the feeling of loss. If your parents are warehousing things that belong to you or your siblings, take them now.

Tip #5: Be tactful.

Poor health, caregiving duties and failing eyesight can result in housekeeping practices that are less stringent than they once were. Tactfully clean things as you sort, but avoid making your parents feel embarrassed. If you find clothing that is torn or stained, suggest a donation site that recycles textiles or take worn towels to the S.P.C.A. Knowing that things will be used, regardless of their condition, makes parting with them easier.

Tip #6: Let your parents say good-bye.

Keep sorting sessions brief— 2-3 hours at the most. This may be difficult when you come to town for a weekend to blitz through things, but constant decision-making is exhausting and marathon sorting sessions usually result in diminishing returns. The sorting process brings up memories, so stories and reminiscing are natural. Accept that some days you will accomplish less than you had hoped for and let your parents enjoy their recollections. Storytelling is more than simply saying “goodbye.” Studies show that reminiscing calms people and reduces stress. You may find that after telling a story, your parents are able to focus more on decision-making. In short, storytelling is a productivity tool, not a hindrance. Listen respectfully, ask questions. Remember that in the long run, it is your parents’ stories, not their belongings, that you will cherish.

Tip #7: Be realistic about how much time you can devote to the process.

If your parents live in the family home, allow 60-80 hours for the downsizing process, 20 hours for items not going with them, and 50-80 hours for helping them pack, move, unpack and get settled. If your time is limited, spend your time with them doing “fun” things and providing emotional support, and hire professional help for the rest. Senior Move Managers specialize in this type of support.

Tip #8: Concentrate on the big picture.

Senior moves are stressful for the entire family. In addition to their own homes, families and jobs, adult children are often assuming caregiving responsibilities. Conflicts sometimes develop between siblings over the disposition of items, and more frequently, over the sharing of caregiving duties. As you work with your parents and siblings, keep three objectives equally in mind: caring for your parents, taking care of yourself, and keeping the family in tact.

Tip #9: Hire a Senior Move Manager.

Downsizing and moving are challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. A Senior Move Manger like Moving Solutions can provide expert planning, proven resources, and hands-on help to take the work and worry out of moving. You control how much you spend, and most provide a free, no-obligation home visit. Moving Solutions provides services throughout Southeastern PA, the Lehigh Valley, Delaware, and central New Jersey. For help elsewhere in the US and Canada, go to the National Association of Senior Move Managers. Hiring a Senior Move Manager isn’t an expense, it’s an investment in your health, your relationships and your peace of mind.

Tip #10: Looking Back

“Things” were important to my grandmother. Perhaps it was living through the depression. Perhaps it was burying both her children. Perhaps she was holding on to what she could in the face of so much loss. When she moved, at age 88, she offered me many things. I said “no” to everything. I had good reasons. I didn’t like it. I didn’t want it. I didn’t have room.

Today, I regret those decisions. It’s not that I’ve grown to like the things she offered. It’s that I was thinking of myself, and I should have been thinking about her.

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Uncategorized • May 23, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

by Debi Bloomquist

Memorial Day is a time to remember the men and women who have died while serving in our armed forces. My thoughts and prayers are with those of you who have lost family and friends in the military keeping our great country safe.

Wishing you and your family a fun and safe holiday weekend!

Your friend and Realtor,

Debi

Home Improvement • Homeowner News • Uncategorized • May 22, 2013

The $645 kitchen remodel

by Debi Bloomquist

By Charlotte Barnard | This Old House – Tue, Apr 9, 2013 12:44 PM EDT

Skillful surgery on the cabinets and some cosmetic changes renewed this 1920s bungalow kitchen for less than the cost of a refrigerator. Here's how the owners, Nick Macke and Ted Moss, of Milton, Mass., gave their old cabinets a stylish yet frugal makeover.

"We wanted to keep some of the original retro details such as the stainless-steel sink and metal cabinets," says homeowner Nick Macke. That's the initial reason why he and his partner, Ted Moss, decided to go with mostly surface updates to their kitchen. Then they realized that doing so would save a huge chunk of cash as well as the kitchen's vintage charm.

The sink area, before and after.

A scalloped soffit, '70s-era wallpaper, wood paneling, and peeling linoleum dated the space. An open shelf above a new mosaic backsplash, a fresh coat of paint for the cabinets and walls and for the paneling, and a new floor bring it into this century.

The stove area, before and after.

No walls or appliances were moved in the 10-by-12-foot workspace. Painting twin sets of the original metal cabinetry (one in the sink area and one above the stove), in addition to the walls and paneling, and laying a new floor directly over the old one took three months.

Project Tally

• Stripped wallpaper: $0

• Ripped out valance-style trimwork and 5-foot-long soffit on upper cabinets: $0

• Replaced plastic outlet plates and switch plates with stainless steel: $10

• Topped cabinets with preprimed crown molding from the home center: $25

• Sanded and painted cabinets, including the plastic pulls (a family friend at the paint manufacturer provided a 50 percent contractor discount): $40

• Swapped out a fluorescent sink light for one with pendants: $60

• Painted walls and paneling: $70

• Kept the sink but replaced the faucet: $90

• Added a backsplash of slate tile: $150

• Covered old linoleum floor with peel-and-stick resilient tiles laid directly over it: $200

Project Total: $645

Paint: Sherwin-Williams's Golden Fleece (walls) and Dover White (paneling and cabinets)
Floor: TrafficMaster
Faucet: Moen
Lights: Lowe's
Backsplash tile: Home Depot

Home Improvement • Homeowner News • May 21, 2013

Use a Salvaged Tub to Turn Your Backyard Into a Soothing Oasis

by Debi Bloomquist

By Annie Thornton
By Houzz | Posted May 16th 2013 3:00PM

When a lilac tree died in Sloan Schang's yard in Portland, Ore., last summer, it left behind a blank corner. It also provided him with an opportunity. A secluded backyard spa appealed to Schang, a writer and creative director, but the $6,000 bill required for the necessary electrical work and a new hot tub sounded less than pleasant.

So Schang constructed his own backyard bathhouse — in less than a week and for less than a sixth of the price — with a salvaged claw-foot tub. "My wife was appropriately skeptical when I proposed putting a bathtub in the backyard," he says, "but she was sweet and trusting enough to just let me run with it." Let's see how he did it.

Project at a Glance
What: Backyard bathhouse
Location: Portland, Ore.
Size: 7 by 10 feet
Budget: $750, including labor and materials

Site Preparation

Schang cleared out the dead lilac tree as well as some ornamental grasses to prep the site. He dug a hole 5 feet wide, 7 feet long and 6 inches deep, framing it with pressure-treated 2-by-6s. He tightly packed 1/4-inch-minus gravel into the pad to prevent the cast iron tub from sinking. The tub sits atop the compacted gravel without additional anchoring.

The deck is framed with pressure-treated 4-by-4s, resting lengthwise on the gravel. The decking itself is recycled cedar fence boards left over from another home improvement project; Schang cut and nailed them directly to the 4-by-4s. While he says the deck was level and secure already, he additionally anchored it with foot-long garden stakes, pounded to the ground and bracketed to the deck frame.

Plumbing

The claw-foot tub was a steal at $100, and the catalyst for this backyard project. It was already in great condition, only requiring an application of paint. Because it's protected from the elements by the pergola, Schang didn't prep the tub in any other way.

He hired a plumber to install a new exterior hot water bib, tied into existing pipes in the couple's basement laundry room. Often it's possible to replace an exterior hose bib with one that can tie into a hot water line, but that wasn't an option here. Schang was happy to pass off this portion of the project. "If there's something you're not comfortable doing yourself — like plumbing, for me," he says, "absolutely hire a professional or enlist an experienced friend. The peace of mind is worth the extra time and cost."

Schang ran a long rubber hot-water hose 60 feet from the exterior hot water faucet to the tub site. He concealed the hose in mature landscaping rather than burying it.

The hose rests on a cedar stake; the flow is controlled with a single-handled faucet. The water temperature is controlled from the bib at the side of the house. "We rarely ever use the cold tap, except in the summer when we use it as a cool-off pool with our son – and generally just fill it with straight hot water," he says. On colder nights the water stays warm for 20 or 30 minutes, longer in summer.

Schang sealed the overflow hole and previous faucet holes with cork so that he could fill the tub entirely.

The tub drains into a 15-foot-long ABS drain pipe, extending above-ground out into the planting beds. Like the hose, the pipe is concealed by plants and evenly drains onto the vegetation through perforations.

Pergola

For backyard privacy and shelter, Schang built a pergola that's 7 feet wide, 10 feet long and 8 feet tall.

"If you've ever built a fence or a deck, you can handle this," he says.

If this is your first home improvement project, though, be careful, be thorough and don't rush through it.

"All I can say is measure, measure, measure," Schang advises.

Here's How You Can Build a Pergola the Way He Did:

1. Measure and dig the locations for the four posts.
2. If you're sloping the roof, cut the rear posts to length.
3. Set the posts and concrete in 2-foot-deep holes.
4. Cut and hang the outside box frame for the roof. (Schang bolted heavy lag bolts directly into the post.)
5. Cut and hang the joists. (Schang used using joist hanger brackets.)
6. Cut sheets of corrugated metal roofing to the right size using heavy tin snips, then attach them to the joists and frame them with screws.

Light Fixture

Schang built and designed the light fixture himself. He drilled a field of holes in the base of a soap box he bought on Etsy.com and stapled a string of lights to poke through the holes in the box. Schang calls the light "a cross between an old-timey Lite Brite and a kind of light shower." String lights already drape the perimeter of the yard, so Schang only needed to attach an extension cord.

"Night soaks are quiet and peaceful," he says, "and on clear nights we get glimpses of the stars through the trees." One of his favorite things about the tub is how drastically the experience transitions from day to night. "In the morning and late afternoon, the tub gets some choice moments of direct sunlight, and birds and squirrels are constantly popping in to see what's going on."

"The result has exceeded both of our expectations," he says, "and I can't ever imagine getting tired of this space and the simple magic of an outdoor soak. It's all somehow rustic and luxurious at the same time, very Swiss Family Robinson."

Materials

Structure and decking — $225:

– Six 10-foot lengths of 4-by-4 pressure-treated wood posts for the pergola and deck frame
– Eight 8-foot lengths of outdoor 2-by-6s for the roof frame
– Six bags of easy-mix concrete for the posts
– Three sheets of corrugated metal roofing
– Hardware
– Bamboo privacy shade
– Ten 5-foot-long cedar fence boards for the decking
– 20 cubic feet of 1/4-inch-minus gravel
– Decorative river rock

Plumbing — $475 (including hired labor):

– Hose rated for hot water
– Faucet to control flow at the tub (mounted on a cedar stake)
– Faucet to control water at the side of the house
– Overflow corks
– ABS drain pipe
– Claw-foot tub

Light fixture — $50:

– Soap crate
– Strand of Christmas lights
– Extension cordOther materials:
– Clear outdoor protective sealer for all wood that's not pressure treated
– Repurposed materials for bath accessories (cedar decking shower caddy, tree stump side table, towel hooks)

Economics • Everett • Home Finances • Homeowner News • Real Estate • May 20, 2013

Home sales prices hit $275K in April

by Debi Bloomquist

By Kurt Batdorf
HBJ Editor

EVERETT — It’s 2007 all over again for the local real estate market as antsy buyers rush to buy what’s left in a dwindling supply of homes for sale.

Northwest Multiple Listing Service members notched their highest volume of new listings since June 2011, but the additions did little to ease inventory shortages. Brokers also reported the highest volume of pending sales since May 2007, along with anecdotes of bidding wars.

“Multiple offers have become the new normal,” MLS director Diedre Haines, the Snohomish County regional managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain, said in a news release issued May 6. “We have literally gone off the charts in absorption.”

The 4.46 percent dip in pending sales in Snohomish County “is all due to lack of inventory,” she said.

Active listings were down 38.46 percent compared to April 2012, extending a trend that started in January 2012.

Haines also reported low appraisals remain a problem as appraisers struggle to keep up with the fast-paced activity and increasing values.

Northwest MLS figures support Haines’ observations. Brokers added 1,349 new listings for single-family homes and condos to Snohomish County inventory during April, up from 1,263 units in April 2012, but that activity was outpaced by sales. MLS members reported 1,500 pending sales, trailing the 1,570 pending sales of one year ago.

Median prices on sales of homes and condos that closed in April surged from $236,817 in April 2012 to $275,000, an increase of 16.12 percent. Half of homes were sold for more than $275,000, half sold for less.

Southwest Snohomish County saw the biggest median sales price increase, jumping from $238,500 in April 2012 to $305,600, an increase of 28.13 percent.

The story was the same in the other 21 counties the MLS covers: New listings, pending sales, closed sales and prices rose compared to 12 months ago, but inventory continued to shrink.

Through four months, closed sales are outperforming year-ago totals for same period by nearly 3,000 transactions. Haines believes the increase is an indicator “that lending restraints are beginning to ease and there are fewer and fewer short-sale transactions being processed.”

Several factors are contributing to a “recipe for a frenzied May real estate market,” said John Deely, another member of the Northwest MLS board of directors and the principal managing broker at Coldwell Banker Bain in Seattle.

“The market pace has not subsided from previous months with low inventory and low interest rates being the primary drivers,” he said.

Also fueling the frenzy is the already fast pace of the market, news reports touting healthy price increases locally and nationally, positive job growth and record highs for the stock market, Deely said.

Prices will continue to rise as current market conditions of historically low interest rates, pent-up buyer demand and a shortage of available inventory are sustained, predicts J. Lennox Scott, chairman and CEO of John L. Scott Real Estate.

Whether the market becomes more balanced may depend on listings. Northwest MLS figures show every county in its service area had year-over-year gains in new listings during April.

“Let’s hope this is the start of a positive trend for inventory,” said Mike Grady, the president and chief operating officer of Coldwell Banker Bain. “But considering the overall market landscape, it’s likely there won’t be enough sellers to fill buyer demand, at least for the short term.”

To accommodate demand, builders around the state appear to be ramping up their activity. Figures from the Building Industry Association of Washington show a surge in permit activity for January, its most current reporting period, when the number of permits more than doubled from a year ago, from 969 to 2,213.

Kurt Batdorf: 425-339-3102; kbatdorf@heraldnet.com.

News For Seniors • May 20, 2013

4 Common Worries About Senior Living

by Debi Bloomquist

by Sarah Posted on May 15, 2013 in The Boomington Post

The stress of caring for an aging parent is one of the most difficult things to go through. Many adult children admirably choose to take on this responsibility single-handedly. However, as the years go by, it often becomes apparent that a trained elder care professional is a better option. It’s not just the burden that wears us down or the interruption in our own personal lifestyle that makes caring for our parents difficult. The fact is that sometimes we are just not enough to take care of our parents.

But it’s not easy turning over a loved one to someone else’s care. It’s your parent and you want them to have the best possible care so that they can live out these golden years as healthily and happily as possible. However, when making the decision to move a parent over to a senior living center, the options can be overwhelming.

1. What kind of housing should I choose?

Independent living is for people who can still get around on their own, but need a little help here and there. Typically, an independent living situation will see someone keeping an eye on the residents, without controlling their every move. Seniors will have a personal consultant that will make sure they are eating well and taking medication on a regular basis. Residents can set their own schedule and are free to come and go, but there are active people her age around and planned social activities.

Independent living normally offer assisted living options for when residents might need extra care down the line; that way they won’t have to move and leave familiar surroundings. For an independent living situation, the idea is to have complete freedom in their schedule but not having to deal with the little things like laundry, cleaning, meal preparation, etc. At the assisted living stage, you might see more interaction on the part of the caretaker and less freedom for the resident. However, each situation is different and individual health care needs are monitored by the establishment so that the resident is taken care of properly.

Nursing care is a little more in depth and at this stage, there is more hands-on medical attention on a daily basis. If your parent needs someone to help them move around, go to the bathroom, do rehabilitative exercises, this is what you’re probably going to need.

Further Reading: Finding the Best Care for Your Parents

2. How will my parents adapt to their new environment?

This is a huge issue and one that worries most adult children when considering senior living options. No one wants to see their parents in some sterile, drab chamber with only a large community room and one big TV as the source of entertainment while others mill about looking lost or wait in line to play the only board game in the joint.

Thankfully, for many assisted living centers, those days are pretty much passed; elder care is a booming business and the comfort of seniors is well respected. Living conditions are more like personal apartments or condos than just a room in a large building. Personal space is respected and can be personalized with furniture and comforting keepsakes from home. The meals are taken care of and are usually prepared by an experienced nutritionist that works on a one-on-one basis with many residents and their families to ensure a proper diet.

Having varied activities is also quite common and really help new residents adapt to their new surroundings. Daily walks or outings, movies and city tours and many other options are offered. Many times, family members are also invited to tag along.

Further Reading: How to Convince Mom and Dad to Move into Senior Living

3. How do I know if it’s the right time?

Once you start thinking about the possibility of senior living for your parents, it could be years until they actually need it. Although, alternatively, many people are caught off guard when they realize that one or both of their parents are incapable of caring for themselves. Don’t let this happen.

It may not be for years that your parent will need to relocate, not with the help of able-bodied children and grandchildren around. But as time moves on, taking care of an aging parent can interrupt and rupture family ties. Don’t wait until it is too late to start investigating a new living situation for your aging parent. Take notice of small changes in behavior or sudden mood swings that may seem out of character.

Also, a change in personal hygiene is also a strong signal that its time to start looking into options. If you notice that your mom or dad isn’t bathing or following their daily routine like they used to, it’s a sign that they’re going to need some help soon. Assisted living helps with daily tasks like bathing and dressing, things we kids may not be able to help out with on a constant basis, thanks to jobs and family matters.

Some of the best care facilities have waiting lists so its never to early to start looking at options. You don’t want to be caught completely unprepared when it becomes apparent that your mom or dad need help immediately. Be ready for it, so start asking around early to get referrals and get on the lists. It’s always a good idea to involve your parent in the decision. They should be able to check the grounds and interact with the people working or living there before moving in, too.

Further Reading: Transition Tips for Entering Assisted Living

4. How can I afford senior living for my parents?

Money always matters, sad as that statement is. Mom and dad probably have a fixed income now and to avoid still paying a mortgage, the house would need to be sold.

Budgeting is incredibly important when it comes to any type of health care, but there are programs to look into and other ways to help pay for housing and assistance, including financial help from family members. Most senior living communities are experts at getting their money in some way or another, but its always recommended that you speak with a independent financial consultant who is familiar with your parent’s economic situation. Also, Medicare might be an option for some, but the program only pays for skilled nursing care and may not be enough to cover 100% of senior living expenses.

The best advice I can give you is to talk to your parents about their economic situation years before considering. How much money do they have in savings? What is left on the mortgage? Any debt issues? Who will have Power of Attorney? Nobody likes to talk about these things, but when the time comes, you’re going to need this information to help finance your parents’ care. Fight through the uncomfortable part and find the answers you’ll need to make the best decision possible. Again, planning for senior living ahead of time will save you a lot of stress down the road.

Further Reading: Paying for Your Parents’ Care

Hopefully, some of the tips here will help you start to plan for your parents’ care. The best thing to do is to start the planning process early. Don’t wait until it’s too late to have a plan in place when its time for senior living. The good thing is that there are thousands of choices out there and although this situation can be frustrating, you’ll certainly be able to find something that you and your family agree is the best place for mom or dad.

For more information, check out our section on Care for Mom and Dad

Everett • Home Finances • Homeowner News • Uncategorized • May 17, 2013

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

by Debi Bloomquist

Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner. This time of year we always want to spruce up the yard and get the patio ready for BBQs, but the house needs some attention now as well!

News For Seniors • May 15, 2013

Unemployment haunts Social Security recipients

by Debi Bloomquist

Diana Brest is getting smaller Social Security payments because she was unemployed before retiring.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)

Losing your job is a nasty shock at any age, but for older Americans nearing retirement, there's an extra kick: A late stretch of unemployment will haunt them throughout their Golden Years in the form of lower Social Security payments.

"Those years are vital to their Social Security benefits," said Gary Koenig, director of economic security for AARP's Public Policy Institute. "It's something you'll have to deal with your entire life."

Social Security benefits are based on a person's highest 35 years of earnings, which are then indexed for wage growth. The last years of one's career are when most people earn their highest salaries, so replacing those top-income years with less lucrative ones — or no income at all — can prove costly. A person who misses a year of earnings could see his Social Security payments reduced by 3%, or just over $450 annually if he receives the average check of $1,262 a month, according to a calculation AARP ran for CNNMoney.

For Diane Brest, four years of unemployment at the end of her career meant a $68 reduction in her monthly Social Security check.

"That's $68 I could use towards food or medical expenses," said Brest, 62, who lives in Phoenix. "Food has gone up in price. Minimum payments on credit cards have gone up. Health insurance has gone up. It's very depressing."

Brest got hit with a double whammy that's common for those laid off late in life: To get by by, she had to start collecting Social Security several years earlier than she planned. Before being let go from the insurance company where she worked for 14 years, Brest had intended to work until age 66, when she would have been eligible to receive $1,200 a month. Instead, she chose to start collecting at 62 because she needed the money. She thought she would get $968, but because of her unemployment, she's only getting $900 a month.

You can estimate your own future Social Security payment with a calculator on the Social Security Administration's website.

It's tough for older workers to find new jobs once they are laid off. Some 44% of the 50-somethings who lost their jobs during the Great Recession were still unemployed a year later, said Richard Johnson, director of the Urban Institute's Program on Retirement Policy. Among those laid off at 62, two-thirds were still jobless 12 months later.

If they find work, it's often for lower pay. Those age 62 and older saw their median income decline 29% in re-employment, while those in their 50s worked for 18% less in their new jobs, according to the Urban Institute.

Social Security is a vital source of income for senior citizens, especially those who are lower-income and lower-educated — the same folks who are more likely to lose their jobs, Johnson said. For 53% of married couples and 74% of single seniors, Social Security represents half or more of their income.

Margaret Ronner, 62, depends on her monthly check to pay for housing, health care and food. But she has to cope with a $39 a month reduction in her benefits because she was unable to land a full-time job after losing her position in 2008 as a licensed practical nurse at a Veteran's Administration hospital. She was only able to find part-time work after that, earning about half of what she had previously.

While she was looking for a full-time work, Ronner didn't consider what her reduced earnings would do to her Social Security check. But now she knows all too well. The Lebanon, Penn., resident isn't able to pay down her credit card debt as quickly as she'd like, nor can she buy as many gifts for her nieces and nephews.

Though she considers herself retired, she's looking for some home-based work, such as making crafts, to bring in more money.

"I need the income," she said.

First Published: May 7, 2013: 6:06 AM ET

Home Finances • Real Estate • May 8, 2013

How to Buy and Sell a Home at the Same Time

by Debi Bloomquist

Now that the real estate market is picking up again, many people are looking to sell their homes at last. But when you sell, you have to move somewhere — which usually means buying another home. Buying and selling at the same time brings up a whole new set of challenges, but those who plan well in advance can make it happen smoothly.

Here are five ways to successfully buy and sell a home at the same time.

1. Prepare to be stressed

Buying a home is stressful. Selling a home is stressful. When you do both at the same time, the experience is super stressful, not to mention emotional and difficult on many levels. You’re potentially carrying two mortgages or trying to time the purchase with the sale. There will be a lot of sleepless nights, worrying over finances and pressure to make a decision. It’s enough to ignite a family war.

Accepting upfront that this process will be extremely stressful will help in the long run. Know that most homeowners go through this, and there is success at the end of the long, dark tunnel. Plan everything as much as possible in advance. Do your homework. And take care of yourself. You’re going to be busier than usual.

2. Meet with your agent early on

Owners often believe their home is worth less than what the current market will bear. That’s why it’s important to meet with your real estate agent early on, even months before you plan to buy or sell. Researching online valuation tools or doing basic research will help to guide you. But a local agent will help you understand your home’s true current market value and marketability. A good agent is in the trenches daily and knows your neighborhood and market inside and out.

3. Learn the market where you want to purchase

After getting some hard numbers for your home’s sale you need to do the same on the purchase side. What’s on your wish list? What are your priorities? Determine your needs and understand what you will get for your money on the purchase side. You need to know this to factor in how financing will work with the buy/sell. Also, understand that market. Is it more or less competitive than where you live now? How long can you expect to search for a home? This will factor into your sale timing. If you’re moving within the city or town where you live, your listing agent will likely serve as your buying agent. If you’re moving just outside your area, you may need to ask your agent to refer you to an agent knowledgeable about that area.

4. Know your numbers

Once you understand the numbers on both the purchase and the sale, you need to know your financing options. Many people today don’t have a strong-enough financial foundation to purchase another home before selling their own, so knowing this upfront can help you plan more appropriately.

Engage a local mortgage broker or lender and understand what kind of down payment you’ll need to make a purchase, given the price point and type of home you seek to buy. How much equity do you have in your current home, and is the equity available? Do you have enough of a down payment liquid and would a lender allow you to make the purchase before selling the home? Find out by going through the loan pre-approval process. A good, local mortgage professional is as valuable as a good real estate agent.

5. Make a plan

Now that you know your numbers, it’s time to come up with a plan and execute. The plan can vary greatly, depending upon any number of conditions. Some examples:

Buying in a competitive market? Adding a contingency that your current home must sell before you buy probably won’t work.
Selling in a competitive market? You may be able to negotiate with the buyer for a longer escrow or even a rent back. This would buy you time on the purchase side.
Selling in a slow market and buying in a competitive market? Need the sales proceeds in order to do the purchase? Unfortunately, you’re in the worst-case scenario. Consider the option of selling your home first and moving into temporary housing. While not the most physically convenient, it could be less stressful.
Need temporary housing? Start researching those options now well in advance

Understanding the variables

There are so many variables that can come into play when buying or selling. Each one may affect your decision-making process. Identifying and planning for the variables as much as possible early on will help you avoid sleepless nights, stressful days, or fights with your spouse or partner.

Brendon DeSimone is a Realtor and one of the nation’s leading real estate experts. He has collaborated on multiple real estate books and his expert advice is regularly sought out by print, online and television media outlets including FOX News, CNBC, Good Morning America and Forbes. An avid investor himself, Brendon owns real estate around the US and abroad and is licensed to sell in California and New York. You can find Brendon online, on Facebook or follow him on Twitter or Google Plus.

Uncategorized • May 3, 2013

27th Annual Windermere Cup

by Debi Bloomquist

Posted May 2 2013, 2:25 PM PDT by Tara Sharp

This year, we are excited to welcome Cornell University and Dartmouth College to the 27^th annual Windermere Cup on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

Historically, the Windermere Cup is part of the Seattle Yacht Club’s Opening Day of Boating Season celebration on Seattle’s Montlake Cut. Since 1987, Windermere has sponsored the main race between the University of Washington and world-class teams from around the world.

The event is free for families around the region. Spectators line the shore of the Montlake Cut and a log boom flanking the course in Lake Washington. New this year, shore guests can visit food tents, including Ivar’s Salmon House, Dante’s Inferno Dogs, and Veraci wood-fired Pizza. Bike messengers will be distributing free Windermere Cup flags and programs before the races. If you are looking for special gear to commemorate the race, you will find Windermere Cup items at one of the four Husky Team Store locations on store.

Leading up to the Windermere Cup festivities, the Windermere Foundation is hosting 60 fourth and fifth grade students from Madrona Elementary at the University of Washington Shell House for a half-day fieldtrip and fitness education. Athletes from UW, Cornell, and Dartmouth will mentor groups of students on health, fitness, and training. Students will get a chance to row in the UW boats, visit with athletes, tour the campus, and take home souvenirs.

A delayed broadcast of the event will be featured on May 12 at 3:00 PM PST on the PAC12 Network.

You can follow the whole week of events on our Facebook page.

We hope to see you at the Windermere Cup on Opening Day!

Original artwork by Tony Taj