Moving into a new home as a senior can be an emotional journey, especially when it comes to paring down belongings and dealing with sentimental items. Purchasing a home and moving as a senior can be a much different process than other moves, from figuring out financing to planning what to take to settling in on the other end. Friends and family are often available to help and there are some things they can do to make the process easier.
Consider alternate financing options
Financing a new home as a senior can be different than purchasing a home when you are younger. Standard mortgage loans may be more difficult to qualify for due to a lack of income, but many seniors do have a fair amount of equity to carry over from a previous home. Is buying a home with a traditional 30-year mortgage a smart move for a senior? This can work out well for many seniors, especially for those who live in housing markets where things are fairly easy to resell.
Seniors will find that their financials are analyzed closely and they may have to jump through some hoops to meet the mortgage company’s requirements. My Mortgage Insider notes that there are some financing options for those seniors who do not have regular income, like pursuing a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, known as a reverse mortgage. In some situations retirement assets may be used to qualify for a mortgage and this can make a big difference in getting into the home you want.
Plan ahead when moving important family heirlooms
When it comes time to pack and move, seniors often have a lot of family heirlooms to transport safely. Huffington Post explains that moving as a senior can be an emotional process, but seeing a treasured memento broken or damaged during a move can add a lot of stress to an older adult who is already struggling. Take extra care with these belongings and incorporate additional preservation steps before moving these items.
Antiques should not be moved when it’s considerably humid outside, for example. Antiques are especially susceptible to damage during this kind of weather, but if moving during a humid time of year cannot be avoided, take extra care to move things gently. Check out this guide for more information on preserving family heirlooms.
The right packing materials are essential for keepsakes
It is probably best not to oil or wax antiques to clean them right before a move, and heirloom rugs do best when rolled up, wrapped in paper, and then wrapped in a quilted moving pad. In addition, you will probably want to consider specialty packing materials for fragile items. Most movers can provide quotes for using wooden crates or other specially-designed containers. While these will be an extra expense, for items that are especially fragile and meaningful, it is likely worth the cost.
Small family heirlooms like jewelry, vases, small clocks, and figurines probably do best being moved personally by friends or family members on the day of the move. Apartment Ratings notes that dishes and glasses need to be packed carefully to ensure they do not break. It can be helpful to put an extra layer of packing paper on the bottom of the box for cushioning and bubble wrap each item individually.
Dishes work best being packed stacked rather than vertically and it is important to take care not to overpack these boxes as they can get quite heavy. With paintings, many moving experts recommend putting an “X” in tape on the glass to prevent breakage, and again, wrapping or boxing these items is essential.
Moving to your new home
Aside from buying a house and packing, the actual relocation is the other biggest piece of the puzzle. This is a challenging setup for anyone who plans to move, but there are ways to lighten the load, and this starts with using a moving service like ProAce International Moving and Storage. Whether it’s a local or a long-distance move, ProAce can get your belongings from point A to point B efficiently and safely.
Once you’re moved in, it will likely take a few weeks or so before you start to feel at home in your new place. As you adjust and unpack, think of certain details to ensure a happy, healthy home. You can do this through regular cleaning, adding some indoor plants, allowing plenty of light and fresh air into your home and avoiding any sort of clutter.
If you are hiring professionals to help you with your senior’s move, do an inventory before the process begins, and you may want to add some insurance beyond the standard to ensure that family heirlooms are properly covered. Purchasing a home and moving in one’s later years is an intense process that can stir up a lot of emotions and memories, and taking care to ensure that family heirlooms make it to the new place safely is an important piece of the puzzle to consider.
ProAce International Moving and Storage is a full service moving company that specializes in relocation services. We have competitive rates, and we offer dedication and efficiency to all our customers. Find out more by calling us today! 877-963-7283