Did You Wake Up Feeling a Bit Uneasy Today?

/ Realty Executives Integrity /
Did You Wake Up Feeling a Bit Uneasy Today?

For those of you who have lived in your home for 20 years or more, you may have noticed that your yard is getting larger and harder to keep up, and the stairs may seem a bit more difficult to navigate. Your long-time neighbors may have moved away. Much of the space in your home has been transformed into storage lockers as you’ve collected ‘treasures’ from your relatives as well as keepsakes from your life’s experiences. There may have been a minor or major accident such as a fall. Winter has kept you somewhat isolated and your inner being thirsts for contact with others. If any of these thoughts or experiences resonate with you, you may be experiencing those uneasy feelings that I referenced earlier.

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The Pendulum is Always Moving

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The Pendulum is Always Moving

The real estate market is always moving in one direction or another. In real time, the market heavily favors the seller. This is because the inventory of homes is at an all-time low, giving anyone selling your property a distinct advantage over the would-be purchaser. That is great news for you, the homeowner. However, a caveat; the real estate market is always changing, and when it moves in one direction or another it usually is quick and decisive.

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Valuable Resources for Veterans

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Valuable Resources for Veterans

In recent months I have become aware of a valuable community resource that has been a well-kept secret for too long. I am talking about VA Veterans Pension and Survivors Pension benefits.

In the Fall of 2018 Laureate Group executives met with Dan Driscoll, Department Service Officer with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and learned about VA benefits available to many Veterans and their spouses. It seemed logical to us at the time that because the VFW is so well known everyone likely understands the resources they and other Service Organizations offer. Boy were we wrong.

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Taking the Journey

/ Bruce's Team /
Taking the Journey

The definition of journey is a passage from one place to another. When I think about the transition from your long-time home to a condo, apartment or senior community, the definition of journey fits right in. I see this move as an expedition, like a voyage from the home you have loved for so many years to a place somewhat unknown. In any journey there is excitement, trepidation, curiosity and change.

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2019…What to Expect in the Real Estate Market!

/ Bruce's Team/
2019…What to Expect in the Real Estate Market!

In my long career selling homes I have made one observation that seems to hold true each year…patterns emerge BEFORE the public is aware, but the professionals see the signs in real time. You can talk to money managers, food producers, and bus drivers. Each will tell you that in their specific line of work, they could see the future long before those not attached to their industry. So what specific market condition am I witnessing as I write this article?

First and foremost, the real estate market is healthy and full of optimism I don’t see the floor dropping out any time soon. What I do see are more subtle changes which are pointing to a different market than we have seen over the last several years.


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Seasons in our Life

/ Bruce's Team /
Seasons in our Life

What is this season about? That’s the phrase that gave me pause. Just like the weather, our lives have seasons. Of course we don’t often think of that when young because, after all, we’re so busy living, exploring, imagining all the glorious things we’re going to do that we don’t have time or the inclination to be reflective.

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Challenging Times Offer Positive Solutions!

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Challenging Times Offer Positive Solutions!

I live in a two-story home and my kids are gone. I have more space that I can use and am the owner of many items belonging to my children. There are stairs to the basement and to the second floor. The grass seems to keep growing and demands my presence behind the lawn mower. My wife and I have something in common with the home we have loved…we are both getting older and so is the home we love!  Friends have been asking us when we will be downsizing and moving to another location. Our children and their kids love to come over and play with reckless abandon. This is the only home our grandchildren have ever known when visiting. Memories are everywhere as displayed by so many pictures on our wall. Does this sound familiar?

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Bruce's Team at the Mainstreet Senior Service Forum in Illinois

/ Bruce's Team/
Bruce's Team at the Mainstreet Senior Service Forum in Illinois

We had the privilege of joining the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS® (MORe)  Senior Services Committee last week to discuss our strategies for building a senior niche real estate business at the Mainstreet Senior Service Forum.  I enjoyed meeting fellow Realtors and sharing the importance of education and sensitivity to seniors who are faced with a move from their long time home.

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My Predictions About the Real Estate Market

/ Bruce's Team /
My Predictions About the Real Estate Market

We are all witnessing a real estate market that is overheated. Will this last? Does it make sense to "time the market" so that you catch the very peak price for your home?

First, an explanation of why homes are selling so fast with prices moving up at a 5%-7% pace per the last two years.

Homeowners are holding off putting their home on the market because they either cannot find another property that meets their demands, or staying in the home they love waiting for the market to change direction.

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Helping Keep Older Parents Safe — When Not Everyone Agrees

/ Bruce's Team/
Helping Keep Older Parents Safe — When Not Everyone Agrees

Many aging families struggle with the uncertain future of keeping elderly parents safe and comfortable. The realities to be faced about this frequently occur after a major loss — loss of a spouse, significant health decline, reduction in Activities of Daily Living (ADL), difficulty coping and adapting to changing circumstances, and financial setbacks. When these losses occur without any respite time for adjustment and coping, older parents may be faced with making choices that seem extreme and even unfair to them.

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