Should You Move Your Parents Too?

No doubt about it - America's graying. By 2010, one in every five Americans will be over 65. A staggering thought and only a year away! How are we planning to care for them in the near future. Will you relocate your parents to be closer to you, mover back closer to them or try to provide for them long distance? Tough questions to think about.

More than half of homeowners age 65 and over have lived in their homes for 20 plus years. These seniors have deep roots in their respective communities and generally prefer to stay put. They have long friendships developed, known health care providers and entrenched connections to their communities. Uprooting seniors from a known, stabile environment to a new locale that is unfamiliear may not be the best route to take.

So what are you to do? Here are some suggestions to help guide you through the process.

1. Start with an open and honest discussion with your spouse and immediate family members. What are the ramifications of your parents moving with you? Would everyone get along? Is there enough space to ensure privacy for everyone? How will the household be effected? What will the impact be on the family budget? If the health of one of your parents' begins to fail - how will you handle it?

2. Move on to an open and honest discussion with your relatives and parents. Prepare by making a list of all the possible scenarios. Include downsizing the current home with support; staying in the same locale but moving into assisted living apartment or nursing home; moving to the new area and living with you; or moving with you but living somewhere close by. Explore the possibilities of your parents staying where they are. Do you have extended family and close friends who are willing and able to provide support? If not, are there support services in the community where they currently live? Contact local agencies and senior centers.

3. Can your parents afford to move? Explore both of your financial situations completely. If your company is moving you, talk with your relocation director. You might be eligible for elder care assistance.

4. Consider your parents' health. Would the new area be better or worse for them? What kind of medical resources are available?

5. Do your research on your new town. The aid of a local real estate agent is invaluable here. Use them as a resource. Request area maps, information on cultural and recreational resources for retirees. Ask about public transportation for seniors. Would there be shops, restaurants, churches, and social activities within walking distance?

You must keep in mind that if your parents do move with you and do not like the new area, it might be very difficult to move them back again. If possible visit the new location with your parents to see how they feel about the area before making a decision. A professional real estate agent could provide them with a sightseeing tour that will give them a better sense of what living in the new area might be like.

Moving can be a stressful time for everyone. You will want to discuss all these issues with sensitivity. Seek input from your parents and listen to their concerns. Encourage them to make the decision with you, not just go along with whatever you want. Create a win-win situation for everyone and everyone will win.

(c) 2008 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH
Visit the Real Estate Seacoast Team online for more helpful tips and blogs.
Join our e-newsletter but sending an email to saldrich@kw.com

Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Portsmouth, NH
www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

Rye NH Public Library

Rye Public Library 
Rye is home to an recently expanded library that incorporates the old building with the new. Don't let the front of the building fool you - once you come around the corner the new expansion opens up to showcase a very modern building. Host to many community activities and exhibits of local artists, it is the cultural center of this seaside community. Located in the heart of town on 581 Washington Road near the Town Hall and Rye Congregational Church, the library is open Monday through Saturday.

 The New Entrance

Their Mission Statement reads: "The Rye Public Library serves as the informational and cultural heart of Rye in an atmosphere that is friendly and inviting. Our mission is to facilitate a diverse inquiry of knowledge and ideas, to promote the enjoyment of reading and provide exceptional service. We offer free access to a broad array of materials and programs for the enrichment of all members of the Rye community at every stage of their lives."

Lending privileges are open to all residents, tax payers and permanent employees of Rye. So if your vacation home is located here you have access to a wide variety of library services including 2 week DVD/VHS loans, discounted museum passes and a WiFi Hot Spot. Summer reading programs, a year round film series, monthly health clinic, knitting circle and senior van service to the library are more highlights of this lovely library. There are even downloadable audio books available online. You can browse the entire catalog, place items on hold and renew your items from your home computer. Anything they don't have they will try to borrow from another library. Book discussions are held every third Tuesday at 7pm.

Children can take part at the Jackie Ann Philbrick Youth Library with Toddler Story Time and Crafts, Baby Lapsit Story Time, and YAttitudes Teen/Parent Book Group. The whole family can join in Friday Flicks at 3:15pm with popcorn or Wednesday afternoons at 1pm!

I am a great lover of libraries and Rye has services to fill all your beach book needs and more. The lending privileges here last an ample 4 weeks for books, 2 weeks for DVD/VHS and they even give you a 3 day grace period before you start accruing fines! So the next time it rains while you are visiting your vacation home in Rye - check out your local library for lots of fun activities.

Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty
"Your Second Home & Vacation Home Specialist"

Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Portsmouth, NH
www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

Winterize Your Second Home or Vacation Home Checklist

I saw my first snowflakes this morning and knew winter is already here before Thanksgiving. Have you had your second home or vacation home fully winterized yet? Freezing temperatures, icy winds, snow, sleet and power outages are on the horizon. Avoid the heartache, expense and stress of burst pipes, critters moving in and destroyed landscaping. Protect the house for the winter and enjoy and easier stress-free time opening it back up in the spring. The question becomes what to do yourself and what to hire the professionals to take care of for you.

In General

• Make a list of what needs fixing. Go room by room. Waiting for parts over the winter is a lot easier than in June.
• Check all the outside recreational toys - make plans to have them repaired over the winter
• Make a list of what you want to bring with you next year

Get Professionals

• Hire a plumber to fully winterize the plumbing and anti-freeze the drains including:
• Shut off Main Water Valve
• Refrigerator
• Dishwasher
• Washing Machine
• Outside Faucets
• Sprinklers
• Hot Water Heater
• Air Conditioning
• Furnace Humidifier
• Toilets
• Showers
• Hot Tub
• Fountains
• Saunas
• Sump Pump check
• Well Pump
• Water Softener

• Hire a HVAC company to check, clean and service the heating & cooling systems
• Hire a swimming pool company to close the swimming pool. You don't want them drained all the way around here since the water acts as support for the walls. An inflatable pool cover keeps debris out and gives ice room to expand and contract.
• Hire landscapers to do the dreaded fall yard clean up.
• Hire a snowplow service (ask your landscaper) to keep the driveway clear. You want the fire truck to be able to access your home if something did go wrong.
• Hire a property manager, real estate agent or permanent resident to check on the home regularly.

Security

• Install a security system
• Put all the storms down and/or cover all the vulnerable windows
• Close and lock all the windows
• Lock all the doors
• Remove any valuable belongings like electronics, tools, guns, sentimental items
• Have all the mail forwarded to your winter address
• Stop the newspaper delivery
• Let the local police and fire departments know that you are away and how to contact you.
• Arrange for a property manager, real estate agent or permanent resident to check your summer house regularly

Inside the House

• Leave the heat on. Many summer homes were built to be year round permanent homes and are not constructed to freeze in the winter. It is also very humid in this area and heat acts like a good dehumidifier and help to prevent that moldy musty smell. You can install a low heat thermostat than can be set at 40F. instead of the normal 55F thermostat to save on fuel. This will also protect your foundation. Several freeze-thaw cycles can lead to a cracked concrete foundation.
• Set up automatic delivery for fuel oil or gas.
• Turn off any nonessential circuit breakers. The first time is tricky but you can go through and label them once and make every other time easier. Consider tagging them with green and red stickers to make the process quicker. The ones to definitely leave on include the security system, front porch light, heating system.
• Clean out the refrigerator. Unplug, clean and leave the door propped open
• Unplug all electronics and appliances
• Turn off the gas (natural and propane) call the company to assist with this. Unless this is your heating fuel.
• Thoroughly clean the house. Remember old stains are harder to get out than new ones.
• Remove any liquid medicines, makeup or toiletries that may freeze to the shelves
• Store any food in metal containers to keep the critters out
• Put mouse traps in the basement and kitchen
• Replace batteries in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors

Outside the House

• Inspect the roof for any loose shingles and repair them. (Binoculars help)
• Clean the gutters. Build up in the gutters can cause a backup and an ice dam on the roof. Install screens to keep leaves and sticks out.
• Prune any tree limbs near the house. You don't want those branches crashing through the roof.
• Call the utility company if branches have grown across the lines
• Drain water from outside faucets - Install frost free faucets
• Store lawn furniture, tools and grill
• Bring in any padded items so they won't become a breeding ground for bugs and mildew.
• Check all the screens and repair/replace any torn ones.
• Winterize your lawn mower by draining out the fuel and store in well-ventilated shed. Run the lawn mower until you are sure all the fuel is spent
• Remove annuals
• Cover perennials with hay
• Mulch flowerbeds
• Protect shrubs from cold winter and falling snow with wooden protection
• Rake the leaves.
• Disconnect hoses.
• Have the chimney cleaned. Cap the chimney.
• Check and replace any loose weather stripping around outside doors and garage doors. Mice can get through a space as thin as a dime.
• Stop up all holes into the house. Put wire mesh screens on any vents to keep out the chipmunks, birds, squirrels, raccoons, mice, red fox and skunks.
• Put away the bird feeders. There are bears in the area and there is nothing they like more than a free snack.

Now you have a list of what should be done to winterize your vacation home. Impressive list of things to do, I agree. It is well worth the effort to protect your second home investment. I have seen frozen homes and it is a tragic sight. One house froze over the outside door making the job of getting in to turn off the water a challenge that resulted in taking an axe to the door. I suggest making a check off list that corresponds to your property so that nothing gets forgotten now or in the future.

 For Seacoast New Hampshire and Southern Maine homes I can be hired to do a drive by check, contact me at saldrich@kw.com or call 603-610-8511 for more information.

© Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH (2007)
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Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Portsmouth, NH
www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

10 Steps to Cleaner Air

Every time we drive to work or school, use our heating system or air conditioners, clean our windows, or even style our hair, we make choices that affect air pollution. Here are ten steps we can all do to reduce air pollution.

1. Walk or ride a bike. When looking for a new home - look closer to work so that you might be able to do this. You might consider a smaller home in a closer location. At the very least it will reduce your car travel. I love the fact that I can walk to my office and do it often.

2. Share a ride or use public transportation. Here in Portsmouth we do have the trolley systems and Coast buses.

3. Combine errands for fewer trips. It will also give you more time to other fun things.

4. Keep your car well maintained, with tires properly inflated. When buying a new to you car - really look at the gas mileage. Do you really need a truck (are you a farmer?) that only gets 15 mpg and all you do is city driving?

5. Avoid idling in your car. Don't sit there with the a/c running as you look at the ocean. How about opening the windows instead.

6. Turn off lights, computers & TVs when not in use. I have my hair dryer, curling iron and mirror on a power strip. When not in use I turn them all off by the power strip. I also keep my microwave unplugged when not in use.

7. Use energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances. Appliances all come with energy star ratings these days.

8. Run dishwashers and washing machines only when full. And use cold water when washing the clothes.

9. Choose environmentally friendly consumer products and cleaners. Or make your own. It is amazing what you can do with products like baking soda, vinegar and bleach.

10. Make and live the motto - Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Let's all do our share for cleaner air. We only have one planet - Let's keep it around for generations to come.

(c) Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty Portsmouth NH

Join our monthly e-newsletter for real estate updates, area happenings and market changes by emailing Shannon at saldrich@kw.com Your email will never be shared or sold!

Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Portsmouth, NH
www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

Getting The Living Room Ready to Sell

Getting Your House Ready to Sell Room by Room
by Shannon Aldrich, Licensed Real Estate Consultant for Maine and New Hampshire

The Living Room

Staging is key to presenting your home in the best light. As they say you only have one chance to make a good first impression. Rightly or not, a Buyer sizes up a house and makes their decision in the first couple of minutes. Going through the extra effort will show in both how quickly your home sells and for how much. This series will take us room by room with tips on how you can be show perfect. Let's break down the living room first.

Living Room Checklist

Doorway

• Does the front door open & close easily?
• Oil any squeaky hinges, use a bar of soap on the wood frame to stop sticks
• Put new colorful mat at the front door
• Does the doorbell ring right?
• Do the locks work easily?
• Polish the door handles.
• Remove any clutter near the door.

Windows

• Clean all the windows - inside and out
• Check the window screens - repair or replace any torn or bent ones
• Clean the window blinds and window treatments
• Open the blinds and the curtains before a showing to let the light in.

Lighting

• Clean all the light fixtures
• Increase wattage in all the light bulbs
• Do all the switches turn something on?
• Are all the switch plates and outlet plates clean?
• Easy upgrade to change out all the plates in a room. Upgrade to brass or nickel

Floors

• How's the carpet?
• Does it need to be cleaned? Get them professionally done.
• Vacuum every couple of days until it's sold
• Is the carpet loose anywhere?
• How are the hardwood floors?
• Do they need to be polished? Refinished?

Walls

• Are there any cob webs in the corners?
• Look for scuff marks, picture holes, etc. Should you paint?
• If you paint the walls, paint the ceiling and trim as well.
• Paint is the easiest way to refresh a room

Furniture

• Is there too much for the room? Reduce, reduce, reduce
• What shape is the furniture in? Should you clean it or put on a slip cover?
• Dust it all!
• What's on the coffee table or side tables?

Electronics

• Can the entertainment center close to cover the TV?
• If TV is out in the open - keep it and all the other toys dusted
• Clear away video/DVD/CD collections

Other

• Clean the fireplace hearth and tools
• Are the plants alive or dead? Do you have too many of them?
• Reduce the family pictures
• Reduce the books on the shelves
• Put the toys out of sight.
• De-clutter the coat closet
• Clean all the mirrors and dust all the picture frames.

Now that you have the living room under control we can move on to the heart of the house - the Kitchen.
By Shannon Aldrich ©, Keller Williams Coastal Realty

"Your Seacoast Second Home and Vacation Home Specialist"

Shannon Aldrich
Keller Williams Coastal Realty
Portsmouth, NH
www.RealEstateSeacoast.com

Sunrise at Great Island Common, New Castle NH

Sunrise at Great Island Common in New Castle, New Hampshire. This is an amazing park at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. Pavillions, picnic tables, grills, bath house, and large children's playground. Across the river is Fort Foster. Close to Portsmouth Harbor Light. Walter Liff is the artist who created this sculpture. Taken with a phone, hence the blurred edges.

It All Starts at the Curb

Curb appeal - ask any real estate agent and they will tell you how important it is. Buyers make up their minds in a short period of time. They will not even bother to go into a house that lacks "curb appeal".

How do you define "curb appeal" - well it is different to every Buyer. One man's trash is another man's treasure is my motto. It's intangible, fleeting, and emotional but we have all experienced it. Something about the house, the neighborhood etc cause the heart to beat a little faster. Maybe it's clapboard instead of vinyl siding or just the opposite. Maybe it the plantings or maybe its the color. Who ever really knows. Something calls out and says "This could be the one!"

Neighborhoods have "curb appeal" as well. If all the homes are well maintained, there are sidewalks, playgrounds and other amenities - this promotes "curb appeal". If your neighbor's is poorly kept up or well maintained it does affect a home's value.

So how can you measure it as a Seller? One way is to take several pictures from a variety of angles and show them to your friends, family, colleagues and anyone known for giving painfully objective feedback. Find out what others think need improvement and what's appealing. Ask about the yard at the local nursery. Show them the pics and ask for suggestions. And most importantly ask your real estate agent what they think. Use their experience to build a "to do" list to bring your home up to show condition.

You will probably be surprised by the little things you can do to enhance the property for sale. Simple things from painting the front door or garage door to adding a few flowers near the front door or mailbox. Bigger tasks that can breath fresh life into a home include painting the exterior in a neutral color. Bright purple or pink is obviously not the best choice!

Clean up the yard - mow, rake, trim. Trim braches away from doors, windows and walkways. Get rid of the clutter - toys, garden gnomes, dead cars and anything with a blue tarp on it. Remove the dog bombs, reseed the patchy areas and fill in any holes. Look at the house and clean all the windows, wash down the driveway, clean outdoor furniture.

A little elbow grease can go a long way in the successful sale of any home! Captivate those Buyers at the curb!

(c) 2009 Shannon Aldrich, Keller Williams Coastal Realty  Portsmouth NH