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How to Help Your Elderly Parents Downsize in Houston!

by | 28 September, 2022

Consider this. America was a different place when your parents moved into your family home. Bigger was always better, and that made sense. Your parents needed a huge property to raise their family of six or seven. But times have changed. The children have come and gone, and maintaining a huge property has become expensive.

In today’s economy, bigger isn’t always better. Moreover, with old age comes a new set of needs and concerns. This is where downsizing for seniors comes in. It’s the process of letting go of the excess space and moving into a more reasonably-sized and senior-friendly property in Houston, TX.

However, the process of downsizing is easier said than done. So to help you get started, we’ve compiled a nifty guide on how you can help your elderly parents downsize in Houston, TX! Read on below to find out more:

Make sure they’re comfortable with the idea of downsizing

It’s going to be difficult to downsize if you’re met with resistance. When it comes to downsizing, getting the approval of your parents would be a good start. Here are some of the things you can do to get their blessing for the big move:

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Empathize and listen

Try to put yourself in the shoes of your parents. That house in Houston, TX is the home you built and lived in for years. It’s not going to be easy to let go of that. Put a pause on the negotiations and planning first to just ask them about how they’re feeling.
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Get them excited

Change can be daunting and overwhelming. But at the same time, it can also be exciting. Reorient the mindset of your parents to focus on the latter. Highlight the benefits of the move and appeal to their interests. Get them to think of their new home as an opportunity for a fresh start away from their old Houston home.
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Present a clear and organized plan

Plotting out schedules and researching for properties can intimidate most senior parents. Lighten their burden by doing the nitty gritty for them. This is also a great way to make them feel that they are not going through this alone.

Declutter together

A key detail to remember when downsizing is the decrease in square footage. This means that not all of your parents’ belongings will make it to the new property. Help them with decluttering by following these steps:

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Plot out a weekly plan

Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Divide the house into sections and clear out one section per weekend. This is a great way to set attainable and time-bound goals. Bonus, you can manage your parents’ emotions better by starting with the sections with the least emotional attachment.
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Take inventory and sort accordingly

The line separating the garbage bin and the storage boxes can sometimes get blurred. Set clear boundaries by taking inventory first. Once you and your parents have a better idea of their belongings, you can then identify what stays and what goes.

Look for the best senior-friendly houses in Houston, TX

Finding a smaller property that fits the budget is only one part of the task. You also have to be mindful of the needs of your seniors. Here’s a quick checklist of questions you can ask in order to find the best senior-friendly home for your parents:

  • What type of housing do your parents see themselves living in?
  • Can they afford the property with their monthly budget and retirement savings?
  • Are the elevators and ramps easily accessible?
  • Would they need to do a lot of maintenance in the future?

Sell to a professional home buyer!

Out with the old and in with the new! Once you’ve secured your parents’ new home, it’s time to sell your old Houston, TX house fast! Skip the realtors and agents, and let Houston’s most trustworthy cash home buyer do the job for you!

Ohana Legacy Properties, LLC is a no-nonsense home buying company. No need to worry about pricey and unnecessary fees and commissions. We’ll buy your house with cash straight from our pocket!

Help your elderly parents downsize with Ohana Legacy Properties, LLC! Answer the form on our site or give us a call so we can get your started!