When Seniors Relocate – Their Special Needs

When seniors move or relocate it is usually due to a sudden illness or disability, or if they are healthy, they seek to be with people of the same age,  a better climate, etc., and these types of seniors usually have the necessary resources to be able to move to the area and to a new home of their choice. The one very noticeable difference when seniors move is that most will usually downsize.

When healthy seniors move they will have certain needs in the way of conveniences and services, medical and other needs depending on their particular circumstances. Seniors will survey neighborhoods such as  Ellsworth Springs in Vancouver and look for walking paths, or trails, rest areas, dog parks,etc.  When they are searching for their new home. They will seek out a more peaceful and quiet areas of a community, not necessarily close to schools or loud recreation facilities, or highways. They will look to be sure that there are medical facilities and pharmacies, automobile service facilities for their particular make of car. They have formed certain habits over the years and gotten used to having certain conveniences where they lived.  Of course, seniors will seek out their religious communities, churches, activity centers, etc.

Reputable auto dealers, service stations, post offices, top brand grocery stores, known and trusted retail outlets and stores, banks and financial institutions, doctors, dentists, eye doctors and other medical specialists that they make need.They usually will seek an all American neighborhood, with lots of trees, flowers and landscaping.  Seniors will also check out the city amenities to make sure that those conveniences are at least as good as what they were used to. Many older Americans search out the retirement living communities and gated communities just for the safety offered to them.

Seniors have lived in their homes for a lifetime, where most have raised there families and are used to being surrounded by special memories, precious heirlooms,family history, and special close friends and even relatives. Suddenly the home they once loved, and worked so hard to maintain, is now overwhelming to them presenting responsibilities and difficulties in their everyday lives.

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What is a Homeowners Association(HOA)

Many people who are looking to buy a new home see that there is a Homeowners Association, or HOA, possible associated with a piece of real estate they are interested in, and have no idea of what it is or what it is for. Of course, your Vancouver Realtor will explain more in detail if this subject comes up during your search for a new home or any real estate. This is one reason it is heavily advised to work with a local Realtor when looking for a new home or other real estate.

Homeowners Associations are usually involved with large condo or town home projects, or private communities where the combined total of residents are all members of the HOA.

A homeowners’ association is incorporated by the developer, prior to the initial sale of homes, and the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) are recorded when the property is subdivided. Like a city, associations provide services, regulate activities, levy assessments, and impose fines. HOAs are considered private corporations and are not subject to all of the Constitutional constraints that public government must abide by. Some of the tasks which HOAs carry out would otherwise be performed by local governments. A homeowners’ association can enforce its actions through private legal action under civil law. Many homeowners associations include recreational amenities, that they maintain for exclusive use of its members. This can allow an individual homeowner access to a pool, clubhouse, gym, tennis courts or walking trails that they may not be able to otherwise afford. Each member of a homeowners association pays assessments that are used to pay the expenses of the community, like landscaping maintenance, and other ongoing maintenance costs.

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Selling your Vancouver Home – Some Tips to Speed up the Sale

There are some important things that a home seller should do when preparing for an open house or when their Realtor is bringing over people to look at the house. Much of the prep work is a pain, but necessary for a good showing.

Let the  Realtor show your home by themselves by getting out of the Vancouver  home and taking the pets and kids to the park or somewhere until the showing is completed, and if you must remain during the showing, don’t volunteer anything, or answer any questions, and try to keep the children and pets in the backyard or away from the potential buyers so not to distract them.

Make sure the home is clean and neat. Empty trash containers. Make sure beds are made and clutter picked up.  Don’t over kill with room deodorants or sprays. Be sure fireplace and any wood burning stove is cleaned out. Be sure that the kitchen stove is clean as well as the other appliances. Check the bathrooms. Tubs, sinks and toilets must sparkle. Do the dishes and don’t just stack them where they are unseen like in the dishwasher. Turn on lighting in the home so it looks cozy, warm and comfortable. Make sure that any papers or trash is picked up from the yards and along the curb. Try to make sure that the furniture is dusted and carpets vacuumed daily during the showing period, and the tile, vinyl or linoleum is clean.

The more the seller can help the Realtor in these ways during an open house or whenever a potential buyer is coming to inspect the home, the faster the home will sell.

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Time to Winterize your Vancouver Home

August is a good time to start thinking about getting your Vancouver home ready for winter. By starting now you wont have to rush at the last minute. Here are some tips on getting your most valuable investment ready for the cold and wet weather that lies ahead:

• Have a HVAC professional inspect your furnace, clean ducts. Stock up on new filters.
• Check the thermostat and replace if not working properly.
• Clean the fireplace, the flue and spark arrestor at the top of chimney. Make sure the damper works properly and fits correctly. Check the mortar between all bricks and look for any cracks in the fireplace and chimney.
• Check all door and window insulation in house and garage.
• Caulk around windows and doors. Caulk around toilets and tubs, under sinks.
• Get your storm windows prepared to install.
• Check all gutters, downspouts, clean and make sure they don’t leak.
• Check for any worn spots on roof.
• Have gas company adjust all pilots and burners on stove, water heater, dryer, heater and gas outlet in fireplace. Check all gas lines and appliances for any gas leaks.
• Blanket the water heater.
• Clean dryer vent or replace.
• Check around foundation, fill in any cracks. Make sure crawl space covers are tight.
• Check out all Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors, put in new batteries.
• Check all faucets inside and out, fix any leaks, and insulate outside faucets and drains.
• Make sure you know where turn off valves are located for gas main, water main, and electric.
• Prepare the air conditioner for winter, drain and cover.
• Check laundry area for any water leaks.
• Check all fans in kitchen over stove and in bathrooms, clean the fan and exit ducts.
• Clean any grease filters.
• Lubricate all door knobs, locks and hindges, including garage hindges and opener.
• Clean ceiling fans and flip the switch that allows you to reverse the fan to help circulate the warm air during winter.
• Fix the air leaks under doors, and where pipes or wires come into the house.
• Check attic insulation, add more or replace if necessary.
• Have a supply of candles and batteries, and emergency kit.
• If you are on a septic sewer system, have it checked and drained if need be.
• Prepare patio, furniture, outside bar for winter. Put away any hoses.
• Prepare lawn sprinkler system for winter.

Note:  Use licensed professionals to work on your home and get referrals prior to hiring any contractor or other home improvement professionals.

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Vancouver Lifestyle

Going all the way back to 1825, with the birth of Fort Vancouver, our city has been the center of economic growth and development in the northwest.  Today, as part of the 23rd largest metro area in the U.S., Vancouver continues growing, but maintains its small town charm. With all of the Vancouver new home building, businesses, parks, schools, offices, stores and malls, Vancouver can still be proud of its unique lifestyle and the standard of living it offers its residents.

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