What to do before moving into a retirement village
If you’ve decided that moving to a retirement village is the right next step, or if you’re simply researching and planning ahead, there are a range of jobs to complete as you sell your existing home and purchase your new one.
Here are some of the important steps you can expect to encounter throughout this process.
Sell your current home
Selling your current home can seem like a daunting step in your journey to retirement living. From finding the right agent to decluttering, downsizing and packing up your belongings, there are quite a few things to do. To simplify this process, we’ve outlined what you’ll need to do to get your home ready for sale.
Get a property appraisal
Engage with a real estate agent to get an appraisal of your property. This will give you a good indication of how much your home can sell for. It’s always a smart idea to get more than one opinion, so don’t be afraid to engage with more than one agent.
Find the right real estate agent
You may choose to engage with one of the agents who delivered your property appraisal to sell your home. When looking for the right agent, someone with extensive knowledge and experience in your local area is always beneficial. You’ll also want to appoint someone who has proof of positive results and happy clients. Don’t hesitate to meet with multiple agents and ask for references from past clients to help you make up your mind.
Stage your home
Many sellers choose to hire a professional property stylist to stage their home for real estate listing photoshoots and inspections. Home staging is all about making your home look as spacious and appealing as possible, to increase interest and get the best price. While hiring a professional stylist isn’t necessarily essential, it is advised to help you get the best results.
Downsize and declutter your belongings
An important part of the buying phase involves downsizing and decluttering your current home. It’s always a good idea to start with a plan. Before you begin boxing up your belongings, start by considering the following:
- What’s the layout of your new home?
- What items are essential for your new home?
- What furniture do you want to bring along with you?
- Are there old items that need renewing or replacing?
- What storage space does your new home have?
- What items would you like to buy new?
- What hobbies/activities will be part of your new lifestyle?
To take the stress out of this process, you can engage a service like Classic Moves, who help you sort, organise, remove, pack, relocate and unpack your belongings.
For more tips on decluttering your home, read our blog: 4 Tips For Decluttering Your Family Home.
Sign contracts
You will most likely be required to enter into a contract when you purchase your retirement living home, which will outline your rights and responsibilities as a resident. Appointing a trustworthy legal practitioner who has experience working with retirement village contracts will help you to feel informed and confident in your decisions.
Join in on community events before you move in
At Applewood, we want you to feel at home from the very beginning. We encourage you to get involved in our community events even before you move in, so you can become well-acquainted with your new neighbours, Village Manager, facilities and surrounds.
For more insights and information about Applewood, and the benefits of moving to a retirement village, explore our News & Resources page.