Snow Bird Lifestyle at it's Best...Arizona!

Living Room

Honestly, after all these years I feel like a native here in Tucson while I know I am a native Oregonian.  Oregon is full of family and a neighborhood that is close and supportive. Arizona winters are all about another set of friends, golf and restoring old houses. (We are only on our 2nd house so that is something new. We live in them so the restoration fills our days.) When we're here, we miss there and when we're there, we miss here..

The home we own in Arizona is bigger (4 bedrooms) than the one we own in Oregon for a reason. Now we can actually have family visit and everyone can have their own space. They live near us in Oregon. It is turning out to be perfect.

Our home is located on the 5th green at a golf course called Rolling Hills. It is a beautiful Santa Fe style home that is 50 years old. We are cleaning up the yard and the interior. We still need to replace bathroom sinks but they function. It is not perfect but it works beautifully.

Family Room

So the question that is in my mind now is 'Should we make the Arizona home a summer Airbnb? The idea seems so appealing to me. Should we set up that process? May, June and September are wonderful hot summer months with cheap golfing on world class courses. What do you think?

Do you know anything about how that works? I want to hear from you...links, personal thoughts, etc. 

Thank you for listening...it is just a thought! Have a beautiful day!

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Snowbird Life Style: How To Own Two Houses

Wow! You are retired...that day is finally here when you wake up in the morning as late as you want and do what you want all day. The reality of this life will slowly settle in and you will establish a routine that works for you. 

This is that time that you can make all those dreams come true. And, in many cases, that dream includes some changes. For example, some of you have always dreamed of travel or selling your house so that you can live full time in an RV. And some of you have dreamed of having a second home in a warmer place for your winters. That is what I am going to talk to you about today...a vacation home.

The life that you live in retirement can progress through many stages. I want you to see that the life you might choose in the beginning will probably not be the same life you choose to as the years go by. I call it growing up in retirement...infancy, adolescence and finally, full adulthood. There are many stages even as you grow older.

So lets suppose you have progressed through all of those stages moving from travel to several month in some southern location or you are the type of person that simply wants to settle into a home right from the beginning. You want a second home in Florida or Mississippi or California or Arizona. But, the reality is you think you cannot not afford a second home without being house poor. I cannot tell you what to do but I can tell you what we have done that made owning a second house...on a golf course...possible.

• We began in an RV and traveled for about 6 weeks a year. 
• Then our "second home" life changed to a life in an RV resort in a motorhome.
•  With the purchase of a 600 square foot "park model" we began staying for 6 months in our home in Oregon and then 6 months in Arizona.  The park models are very inexpensive. We bought ours for less than  $17,000. A park model is a trailer of sorts with wheels underneath but no tongue in the front. It sits on rented space in a resort with amenities like a pool, pickle ball and bocce ball. Most have a room added on the side that will be called an Arizona room or a Florida room or even a lanai. In truth a tiny house is really all that a person needs. 
• We then sold that park model and bought a townhouse that needed a lot of love. We painted, updated the master bathroom, restored the back patio and added a front patio seating area and bought furniture at second hand consignment stores. We finished with the restoration and sold the property at a considerable profit. We were in our 4th winter season in the home when we sold. 
• Then we bought the golf course home.

So where did the money come from?

We managed to own the park model debt free. It was a stretch to begin with but we always live on what we have and purchase very carefully. 

Because we were on the upswing in the real estate market, we were able to refinance the home in Oregon at a lower interest rate and take the money out of it to buy the town house. Our payments on the Oregon home remained essentially the same. We own the town house debt free. 

That gave us a big head start when we came into this market of 2020. The interest rates are the lowest ever and the housing market is in the seller's favor. Hard negotiating and a wonderful real estate agent that worked for us let us do what we wanted. Our home on the golf course is waiting for us.

State # 1...a purchase of a park model. We lived in the RV resort for many years before we need a change. The people surrounding us aged out of the location and we wanted to be around children and neighbors that worked and were younger.

We bought this park model, repainted the exterior and added trim.

We added this porch so we could also dine outside.
Arizona is perfect for that.

I took advantage of exterior space to plant winter blooming flowers.
It had a lot of "curb appeal".

 

We updated the bedroom with fresh paint and a simple Walmart bedspread.

My husband added this Arizona room.

Stage #2...we sold the park model and moved to a town home near to walking trails, a grocery and Home Depot.

We bought this townhouse and this is how it looked when we purchased. It was ok but needed some big time love. The floors were beautiful and all. of the asbestos ceiling had been removed and it had been repainted.

After

Kitchen after cabinets were painter and pulls added.

The out door area looked like this when we bought it.
We replaced the fence and my husband updated the brick patio space. 

After

The cabinets across the living room wall were very worn and dingy looking.

We repainted them and moved the TV. It may have been what sold the town home. Notice the small fireplace in the middle. It is electric and stays when we go.

Stage #3...We purchased this single family dwelling with no HOA costs. It is across from a school, which we love and the city owns the streets and maintains them. The market was right and the negotiating worked out for us. We will be at home here after Jan. 15, 2021. Timing, it turns out, is everything.

Entry of our new home...1800 square feet with 4 bedrooms.

All tile floors everywhere...no carpeting.

Beautiful view of the 5th hole at Rolling Hills Golf Course. 
This is where my husband plays several times a week.

Now, we can finally invite our family to come in bigger groups. We are very happy about that.

It has been a process that we love. We have many friends here in the Tucson area that we have made over the years. And the creative process is fun for both of us. If you have any questions thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment. 

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Has Anyone Died in that House?

When I read the news and see something that seems just wonky, I always wonder, "Can they really do that...can that be true?" Don't you do the same?

But when it comes to our real life, the thought very seldom enters my mind that I might not be allowed...I think I can do what I want as long as it is legal.

See, I do know that many people of our age have their lives taken over by their children. Maybe not legally but emotionally. Control over us is very possible. In many cases, it is not a choice for the children.

So here is where my husband and moving...again...at ages 79 and almost 83... does not seem questionable. What I love about our family is that they will be calling us for help on the day we die...Mom would you watch the kids? Mom I need help cleaning...can you come? and the list goes on. They are excited for us and the extra bedrooms they can have when they visit. They are what keeps my husband and I healthy and, best of all, happy.

As for the move, it has been about 9 years since we have dealt with a mortgage company or negotiated the price on a house. And we have never done that thing in Arizona. Arizona is a different world. Not in a bad way...just different. 

Town House Living room.

We have e-signed documents, listened to real estate agent's disclaimers and visited a mortgage banker. I don't know that I would say it has been fun but it has been a learning curve. We have read a 40 something inspection report on our "new" house and filled out the disclosure form for the townhouse we are selling:

• Does the roof leak or has it leaked in the last 5ish years? 
• Have your had a fire (not in the fireplace) lately? 
• And best of all, "Has anyone died in the house?"

Has anyone died in this house! Now they have me wondering. Are the buyers scared off by old people dying or is it all about murder and mayhem? I don't know. I wish I had been in the room when someone decided to add that to a real estate contract. The conversation must have been interesting don't you think?

So...the world keeps on turning. Our whole family is spread to the winds for this Christmas but we are all fine. We are relatively happy I think and everyone is too busy to tend to each other's business. That is a good thing.

Thanksgiving Tabel.

There was Thanksgiving dinner on our deck with traditions observed. Our friends came and joined us. I prayed that God would bless Kenny's new shirt and that the food would not make anyone ill. We don't need much and never have. 

But change is good...and we continue to seek new adventures. What have you been doing?

Oh, and to our knowledge, no one has died IN THIS HOUSE! Not yet.

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Merry Christmas 
from our house to yours!

tic toc tic toc

A couple of years ago  my husband decided to do something we had talked about for years but thought we were too old to do. Too late, too old, too bad...so sad!

Upon awakening from a dream I turned to my husband and he turned to me and said, "Well why not? We are not getting younger. And if we live for many more years, if we don't, we will not have done what we want AND we will just be ten years older! Very like the person that decides to finish college at 65, what difference does it make! I want to do it.

Have you ever done that?

Our decision was to move money from one piece of real estate and invest it in another...our very own fixer upper. At that time I was 74 and my husband was 78. Too old...? Well maybe.

As it turned out our dream was a blessing...and a lot of very hard work...but it was our dream so we just did it. There was really no financial risk and that was good. That is always our one caveat...we only spend what we can afford.

The little townhouse we bought is in Tucson. It was owned by an original owner, had not been updated much but the bones and systems were in good shape.

A friend of mine said when she walked through the semi finished product that for the first time in her life she was actually envious. It was the ultimate compliment.

She too was feeling the "tic toc tic toc". She will be 80 this winter and her husband is 5-6 years older than her. They just bought a much nicer town home near their golf course. Wow! Isn't that wonderful?

The question people is "How late is too late?" or "Is it ever too late?"

after

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before

before

salvaged bath...after

after

2017 Version of the Snowbird Lifestyle

Dining Area 

In a blog post I wrote several years ago about the world of winter living at a price you can afford, I gave you all the lists for things to do so that you could leave your home unattended during the winter. Then I gave you choices for how you might actually leave for several months without breaking the bank. That blog post was called How to be a Snow Bird...answers and lists. Much of the information there is still relevant. BUT there has been a shift in our RV Resort life financially.

Remember back when I touted the RV lifestyle and RV Resort living as the end all be all? I think the rules might have changed when the boomers came into retirement. 

See, during the recession housing prices fell dramatically and our life here in our park model remained much the same. So it was a convenient wash for us in that it was just easier and a little less expensive to live in the park model. Now it is 2017.

Our owner has raised our lot rent to over $5145 dollars a year. That works out to $428.75 a month. AND the value of the park models has gone through the roof. Just a couple of years ago models sold for less that $20,000. Those same park models have sold for up to $40,000 this past winter.

What has happened is that we are at that intersection where lot rent and park model values are rising faster than housing prices. It is a good time to make a change I think. We may be able to stop the rent bleeding that seems to be the new norm for RV resorts.

Boomers have more money and they are wanting to be mobile. The RV lifestyle is perfect for them. During this period of time life in the RV resort will continue to become more expense because there is such a huge demand.

So, wouldn't you be asking yourself why you don't buy a townhouse using the park model selling price for a down payment and actually own something. I know we are. The payment might not be more than our monthly payment here in the park...maybe. I have looked at the appreciation that will be coming during the next year and it is very good. In fact flippers are all over it and buying things that need to be cleaned and repaired so they can cash in on the possible profit.

People our age will be making changes that suit our retirement lifestyle. It is all working out wonderfully for us.

So wait for the next episode. Anyone want to buy a park model? Let me know. :)

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Is a Planned Community Right for You?

Home in 55+ Planned Community

When it’s time to start looking for a home, you have a wide array of options. From single-family homes in established neighborhoods to compact apartments in the heart of the city, there’s a home and neighborhood that’s perfect for you and your lifestyle.

One growing trend in housing design is the master-planned community. Unlike planned communities of the past, which featured street after street of cookie cutter homes, today’s master-planned communities offer a wider variety of home styles and amenities, including recreation, shopping and working space. They are communities in the truest sense, allowing residents to live, work and play in one well-maintained area, while getting to know their neighbours and enjoying a high quality of life.

But even with all of those benefits, master-planned communities aren’t for everyone. As you consider your options, ask yourself these three questions to help determine if life in one of these communities is right for you.

Do I Enjoy Socializing With a Community of Neighbours?

One of the major reasons that home buyers choose planned communities is for the sense of, well, community. In most cases, neighbours in planned communities know each other well and spend time together, especially if they have children. While there may not be neighbourhood parties and backyard picnics every weekend, when you live in a planned community you’ll see the same people when take your dog for a walk and at the playground, swimming pool and other recreational areas.

While such an arrangement is appealing to many people, if you prefer to keep to yourself and do not have any interest in participating in group activities or interacting with your neighbours, a planned community may not feel comfortable for you.

Am I Willing to Abide by a Set of Community-Developed Rules About My Home’s Appearance?

While the homes in today’s planned communities aren’t necessarily identical, they do share characteristics that create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing environment. In most communities, buyers choose one of several home styles, which they can customize to their own tastes by choosing from a pre-determined selection of colours and finishes. If you want to make changes in the future, you’re limited to the choices provided by the community planners. While this probably means that you can’t paint your home, say, lime green, it also means that your neighbour cannot do so either, and create a neighbourhood eyesore.

Depending on the community, the rules about your home’s appearance may be strict and detailed, or more lax. In general, rules cover such issues as paint colours, door and window styles, letterbox styles and whether attachments like satellite dishes and basketball hoops can be attached to the home. While many people appreciate the community standards and find the guidelines easy to live with, if such restrictions and rules would be difficult for, a planned community may not be right for you.

Does the Community Cater to My Lifestyle by Offering Amenities and Activities That Appeal to Me?

While master-planned communities often share features, no two are exactly alike. When you tour a community or look at the plans, consider whether the community offers activities and amenities that appeal to you. For example, if you enjoy running and outdoor sports, look for a community with jogging trails and plenty of outdoor recreational space. Look at the list of planned activities and the amenities offered in the clubhouse or central gathering area in the community. Some communities offer hobby clubs or other organizations for residents that will give you a chance to get to know your neighbours, or they offer planned parties, lectures or other events for all ages to enjoy. Before choosing a community, determine whether it can help you live the life you want.

By some estimates, master-planned communities are the next big thing in housing, and a viable alternative to suburban sprawl. However, before you pack your bags and lay down your welcome mat, make sure you choose a community that is right for you.

About the Author: Joanie Birch writes about real estate and home trends. After finding Mandalay at Beveridge community information, she is currently planning her own move to the community. Find out more about this exciting new community atwww.mandalaybeveridge.com.au.

Pros and Cons for Snowbird RV Resort Living: When buying is still renting!

We own a park model in an RV resort. If you aren't aware, a park model is a cross between a trailer house and a RV. It is still movable and when we look under, the axles and wheel are resting on the ground. In the world of state law in Arizona the Park Model is classified as an RV. But on the outside it looks like a small trailer. We paid a registration fee when we purchased the unit and pay property tax on the park model each year.

The cost of owning something like we have, for example, can be pretty daunting. While we did not pay very much for the unit, rent on property where we park our small park model came to $4400+ this year. This fee is due annually in a lump sum. And the rent has gone up considerably since we bought a few years ago. Last year it was $4200+. We also pay an extra monthly fees to the park for electricity and water for the washer/dryer.

Apartment Therapy posted an article recently titled Life Lessons: Smart Tips for Determining the Rent you Can Really Afford. It caught my interest because many of the owners of park models in our park have come to the realization that they cannot afford to own here in the park anymore. We have a lot of For Sale signs in windows now. What I hear people who are selling say is that they could afford to buy the park models but the RENT for the land is pushing them out of this life style.  In fact, when they do the math, they realize they can rent for the period of time they want to be here, save money and be free to go other places.  So how much can you afford to pay to rent land for a Park Model you own? Or do you even want to do that?

My Park Model Interior

Photo of Pickle Ball courts for our RV resort advertisement

According to ApartmentTherapy, the financial rule of thumb for renting a primary residence is 30 percent of your pretaxed income. I am not sure I know how much of your worth you feel comfortable setting aside for a second home but I know it cannot be 30%, not if you are also making payments on a home in another part of the country. In many ways owning a park model is like owning land in that you must maintain the location year round and you are committed to paying the rent for the land. So I am going to apply the information available for real estate home ownership. Smart Money says that your total debt (including the second home) should not exceed 36% of your pretaxed income. By the time you reach the age when you begin to think about a snowbird nest, you may not think that 36% is low enough. We all know it is about your comfort zone.

Doing the math when you consider this kind of a investment is important. But I believe you should also think about emotional and aesthetic considerations. You need to vet your decision based on what will keep you active and involved. Cheap is not always good but even spending a great deal of money on a place you are tied to will not guarantee your happiness. Always keep in mind what you want, what you can tolerate and how easy it will be to exit your decision. Getting in is very easy...getting out is another thing totally.

Here is a list of things you need to think about when buying a park model that sits on rented land. Information and laws can vary from area to area. I live in Arizona:

1. There is no rent control. With proper notice the park owner can raise or lower your rent.  You will have to pay rent or move your park model following proper procedure. 
2. Moving park models can be expensive. (info here)
3. If you do decide to move the park model, you probably will need to give the park owner notice much like you would if you had a lease on an apartment.
4. Management of the park you live in is not under your control. They can make your time wonderful or a nightmare. You need to think of the owners/manager of the park the same way you would think about a neighbor. They have that much influence on your life. Talk to residents about the their behavior and management style. This is a proprietary type of business and the owners make changes on a whim. 
5. Our owner maintains the common areas of the park. We do not get a say in park's appearance.  Even though we are responsible for our rental space, the owners in our park can tell us what we can and cannot do with the park model we own.  For example, if we want to add a porch or an Arizona room, the owner has the power to allow or not allow this. They can even tell us what color we can paint the exterior.  It is very like living in a community with CC@Rs. Those regulations appear in the rules and regulations of the park. We were bound to those when we signed our rental agreement.
6. Most activities (at least in this park) are run by volunteers and will not be available without organizers. On the plus side, if you are interested in an activity, can get approval for it and want to do the organizing, you can call the shoots.
7.  Our owner provides facilities for recreation (at their discretion). Currently we have bocce courts, shuffle board courts, horse shoe pits, a net for golf practice, a pool, rooms for ceramics, metal craft, lapidary, quilting and two pickle ball courts.  Our tennis courts have not been usable this winter (fence and carpet removed). Those people that played every day probably moved here because that activity was possible. I suppose they thought that it was implied that the tennis court would always be there. Not having it available changed their life this winter. Since we purchased, we have seen the croquet area replaced with a pickle ball court. You need to realize that what you see may not always be what you get. 
8. While the owners must provide sewer, water and electricity, I cannot find a place that specifies that they must maintain the recreational facilities. You need to read the rule/regulations and see what is promised. Read more: Arizona Laws for RV Parks | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/list_6301949_arizona-laws-rv-parks.html#ixzz2OPKRipun
9. Even park models need to be maintained...a worn out furnace, water heater or air conditioner can be very expensive.
10. You may be allowed to sublet your park model but the park owners can charge a "guest fee".  In the past we have paid $10 per day up to $1000 per year. We have always paid from day 1 when we rented our park model out. I do not know what the guest fee is now. You need to check on that information if you are wanting to rent your park model for part of the year to cover costs. 
11. Remember that park models and RVs are a lot like cars. Depreciation takes it's toll and getting even a portion of your original investment back when you sell is probably not going to happen.  Go here for more information on resale value.
12. Finally, be aware that visiting grandchildren or family can be restricted from using facilities like the swimming pool. Ask about the park policies.

FYI: In the past the owners of our park restricted owners from selling their own park models.  The units for sale could be advertised on a bulletin board in the laundry room with a small sign. The sign had to be approved by the the office. Owners could also list with the park's broker.  Now we are told there is a law in Arizona that gives owners the right to sell their own units and display "For Sale" signs in the windows of their units (a no-no in the past). It was a big surprise for everyone. The lesson here is very evident:  if the rules and regulations are in conflict with the law, the law always wins.

Disclaimer:  I do NOT guarantee that the information I have collected here will apply in your situation.  Online searches are not the same as legal advice or even advice on real estate purchases.  Check the facts and be very careful.  Remember: It is YOUR money!

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More information:

Park Model page.

Arizona Laws for RV Parks
Charging a guest fee for visitors. Arizona Statute 33-1414, item 5.

• Snowbirds: Can I be a Snowbird if I'm Single?
• Snowbird: How do I find a place to rent?
• Living in an RV Full-Time: What You Need to Know
• How to Experience Retirement BEFORE You Retire!
• Life in the Winter Desert....Tucson, Arizona

Just a Few Good Reasons to Retire by Erik Braunitzer

Courtesy of PDE, New York City Real Estate Agents.

It’s refreshing to hear some good news about retirement. Erik Braunitzer is an invited guest writer for Retire In Style Blog. He writes for Elliman Real Estate in NYC and has a degree in Philosophy. I think you will be interested in what he has to say.

Just a Few Good Reasons to Retire

For a majority of people, owning a home is considered to be one of the most important assets. To those who’ve recently retired, their home may be much more than just a financial asset, but rather a sentimental one at that. This is where retirement and the urge to relocate can become tricky.

It’s a tough choice, but one that should be made carefully. More commonly found in first time homebuyers, there comes regret, or what I like to call RRR (retirement relocation remorse.) But before you go drowning yourself in a pool of your own sympathy, remember that there are plenty of good reasons to get off your butt; call the most reputable relocation agency, and get moving.

Financial

One of the biggest motivators is debt. Retired workers frequently retire with payment(s) leftover, which is definitely not desirable. So what’s the solution? Find a smaller home. Not only will a smaller home cover your old mortgage debt, but also it will yield cheaper costs in the long run. Remember, gas, electric and water don’t ever get “paid off.”

For those of us without enough equity to cover the new home, having a less costly mortgage still yields greater affordability.

Sustainability

And a smaller home will almost always be more eco-friendly, considering the furnace and common appliances are updated with energy star ratings. You can feel good about reducing your carbon footprint!

Physical Stress

Although you’re feeling happier and more relaxed in your retired lifestyle, the effects of mowing and landscaping may be taking its toll. Therefore, it’s with great recommendation that you consider moving into a condo, or perhaps looking into community homes. It’s funny how the same lifestyle live during our college years happens to be the most desirable as we approach senior citizen status. Yet, it can make for a much more accommodating, comfortable lifestyle.

Lifestyle & Climate

Living in a community certainly comes with social benefits. Even more importantly, these condos or community homes are typically equipped with some of the latest in appliance technology, including central air. The greatest concern retired folks have with their community however is it’s location. Generally, people want to settle in a warmer, weather-friendly climate. Living where it’s warm is more appealing to a high percentage of homeowners, particularly for those that are actively involved in outdoor activities like fishing, golfing and simply observing nature.

Most of the above are unprejudiced, but there are varying opinions regarding things like weather and labor. Sometimes retirees enjoy staying busy by doing all the daily duties that come with owning a home, and Christmas may be a holiday preferable with snow.  An even more important decision-maker is family; sometimes relocating to a warmer climate isn’t as convenient for close families. Nevertheless, there are enough unbiased reasons to switch locations, including financial benefit and sustainability. Before you consider retiring, be sure to think about all of the above with logic and love in mind.

"Erik Braunitzer is a member of the creative writing & web strategy department at PDE. With a degree in Philosophy and Management IS, he works closely with Content Developers and off-site Web Experts to maintain web relations and boost visibility for PDE. For more information on how to get your New York City Rental, visit Elliman Real Estate today! "


Links:
Down Sizing in Retirement  Retire in Style Blog
Retirement Realities or What if your Dreams Don't Come True  Retire in Style Blog

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Downsizing in Retirement...Stress/Trauma Explained

Tombstone AZ...did they die of gunshots
or were they just trying to buy a house?

In an article published on the AARP website called Downsizing in Retirement Stan Hinden spoke about the trauma and expense of downsizing during you retirement.  We have been going through the trauma of this decision for a month now.  In our case, trauma and expense could very well be a hyphenated word.

When we received an offer on our condo very near the first of July we were elated.  The fact that we had two offers in our hand only made it better.  All we could think was that the black moving cloud was going to by pass us this time.  We celebrated and began to pack in earnest.  All was going smoothly until the inspector came to call.  He found mold in our attic space and, because we are condo owners, we were not allowed to order the repairs.  The only way to resolve that issue was through our HOA.

So we went out to get a bid for more ventilation in the attic and remediation for the mold. We were instructed to take the bids to a special meeting of the HOA board held for the purpose of helping us with the problem.  It was the 4th of July weekend.  On that Saturday we made several calls and finally found a company that had their offices open on the holiday weekend.  Their name, 911 Restoration, led me to believe that they might be our go to people.  We made an appointment and a representative came out on Monday morning, looked the attic over and gave us a bid for $2000.  Because I had asked him if the cost for the remediation could come out of the closing and they had replied yes, I was surprised when they demanded payment upon completion.  We accepted his bid with the understanding that the HOA board would need to approve it first.  Gulp #1!

The roofer actually came out on a Sunday morning and gave us a bid while standing on the ground and taking a quick look at the roof from the upstairs deck.  The bid was for $400 for 7 vents.  This, he told us, would bring the attic space up to current state code standards.  We thought the bid was good and accepted it with the caveat that the HOA would need to approve the work first.  He wanted his money when he completed the work.  AND when we looked at the bid, we realized that the man could not spell! Gulp #2!

The meeting of the HOA board was set for the following Thursday and we were to prepare a letter for the board so they could be aware of the problem before the meeting.  We did that and included the bids along with the letter.  When we walked into the special meeting we were surprised to find a room full of people.  For some reason I did not realize how involved the condo owners were. I wondered if there was going to be a problem.   This is the way the discussion went:

HOA Chairman:  We are going to keep this meeting very informal so the audience can be allowed to have their say in this matter.  The matter is now up for discussion.
HOA MEMBER #1:  I am sorry but I cannot even consider this action unless we have at least 3 bids.
HOA MEMBER#2:  But these people will not be able to move if we delay to get three bids.
HOA MEMBER#1:  I don't care!
HOA MEMBER#2:  OH!  Well Member #3, didn't you have this type of work done on your condo.
HOA MEMBER#3:  Yes I did and the cost was about the same as this bid.
HOA MEMBER#2:  Well "b" (that's me) how did you locate this roofing guy.
ME:  He was recommended to us by another roofer that could not do the job for us.
HOA MEMBER#2:  I was just wondering because this roofer cannot spell!!!  Do you think he will do a good job?
ME:  I sure hope so! Gulp #3!
BOARD CHAIR:  I need a vote by each person.
#1 NO
#2 Yes
#3 Yes
#4 Yes
#1  I only voted no because the roofer cannot spell!

In the end the HOA agree to allow the repairs AND volunteered to pay for them. We called the roofer and the mold remediation companies with the good news and told them that they could bill the property management group the HOA used after they had completed the work.  They both said NO & NO!  We worked out a backup plan where we would pay the bills and the HOA would reimburse us.

The contractors both came on schedule and did a beautiful job.  We were delighted.  We paid for the work out of our own pocket and submitted the bill for reimbursement to the management company. Then we waited for the $2400 check to arrive in the mail.  We waited and we waited.  I called the management company and was assured the "check was in the mail!"  We waited but still no check.  Finally the management company called me back and said the check was returned to them...they had put the wrong zip code on the letter.  Gulp #4

We drove across town and retrieved the check.  Now, today after a long day on the phone with banks and loan officers, it appears the house may be ours.  Keep your finger crossed.

This saga does not even tell you about Social Security offices without a fax machines and answering machines that hang up on you without warning.  It does not tell you about our state retirement system that promises paper week in a few day and took two weeks to actually do it.  It doesn't talk about a system of laws that is so full of catch 22 situations that you cannot protect yourself.

Let me tell you though...I am not going to be denied.  Karma took a backseat in this process and we took control of our own fate.  It was hard but I do believe it is going to work!

The stress of this whole thing has had us both pacing the floors. My heart has skipped about every third beat.  The word "trauma" does not even come close to telling the whole story.  If two people as financially sound as we have been have this much trouble, my heart goes out to those people that have suffered big setbacks in this financial downturn.  Banks are so hard to satisfy and the days when you were judged on your reputation are gone.  Just shoot me if I ever consider doing anything like this again!

Thank you for listening.

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Moving Advice - How to Keep Costs Down

 Background
    In a blog post I wrote back in February, I spoke about aging in place.  Should we AGE IN PLACE or Are There Other Choices? was the title of the blog.  I wondered at the time if I would know when the time had come to find a home that reflected my age and not my youthful dreams.  We wanted to make the move to a one level home when we could enjoy the move and getting to know new people.  The thoughts I was mulling over in my head back in February must have taken root.  We are making the move and we are very excited about the choice.
     Back in 2001 we moved into a multilevel condo with soaring views and three beautiful deck for my plants.  During those ten years we made this our home, watched our grandchildren grow up and enjoyed a beautiful retirement lifestyle.  It has been a very happy time in our lives. Then this last spring I fell on the golf course and twisted my ankle severely.  We were in Arizona at the time so I was able to heal in our little park model.  Still, I was given a taste of what it might be like to live for a length of time with limited mobility.  It was a wake up call for my husband and I.  We both knew that the time had come.  When we came home to Oregon, we listed our home.  It sold at the beginning of July.  We will move this next week.
Moving Tips
    The last time we moved our choices were limited...you hired a mover or you rounded up a bunch of friends and family or you moved yourself.  We chose to use a mover that time.  The process of moving has changed since those olden times 10 years ago.  I guess I haven't been paying much attention. Now people are doing things a lot differently.  They are learning to save money on the moving costs because a whole world of new resources are available now.  This is what we found:
Image via Wikipedia

• Angie's List:  This a service that provides rating and listings for local service providers.  Member join in order to get access to the list but service providers do not pay to be listed. Getting on Angie's List is a major thing for service providers. You can find everything from a painter to a dentist and then read so see what others have said.  

"Before Angie's List, selecting a service provider was like throwing darts blind folded. Those who report on Angie's List have helped me make informed, logical, educated decisions. I am truly grateful."
- Nancy B., St. Paul, Minn.

"When I had a problem with a service provider, Angie stuck up for me, and I got action immediately. I wish I would have called earlier!" 

• Hire A Helper:  We need some help with a few very heavy furniture pieces that are in our upper level.  When we looked for movers we found a website called Hire a Helper.  They have a list of movers, day laborers or cleaning services.  This website not only allows you to hiring a mover online,  it also has a section for people looking for work.  I really liked the review and rating system.  We hired movers for three hours to move large pieces of furniture.  This service does a lot for charity and 1% of their gross revenue goes to the International Justice Mission.
• Boxes:  We bought one large bundle of moving boxes from Costco.  The boxes were called Scotch Moving Kit for around $50.  It included bubble wrap, tape and 25 boxes of assorted sizes.  We also bought a bundle of small boxes from Uhaul.  Uhaul will take any boxes back you do not use.
• Pods:  We have having a Pod delivered the day before our mover come.  These portable on demand containers can be rented by the month or in some cases for only two weeks.  The company will set the container in the location of your choice and you load it at your own pace.  They then come and drop the Pod at your new location and you can unload without worrying about an extra charge from your movers.   Our family has used this service before when they were having hardwood floors installed.  The containers served as a storage unit in their driveway while the work was being completed.
• Moving Trucks: We will use a moving truck from Uhaul to supplement the Pod.  There are a number of different companies renting moving trucks.  What amazes me about these trucks is how reasonable they are.  Uhaul, Penske and Budget were the companies we compared online.  We are going to use Uhaul because they have a location close to us.  We will also rent a hand truck from them.
• Movers:  Why didn't we use a moving company?  We had a bad experience with movers last time so we are trying to do this on our own with our young family's help.  I can only advise you to check references carefully, buy the insurance that they offer and be available to watch the move itself.  We were told by our home owners insurance the move was covered.  When movers broke one box of antique china, the insurance company refused to pay citing movers negligence. Just check the options our carefully. 

     The fact that we can actually find people to work for us on a short term basis is a wonderful change from the situation 10 years ago.  When so many people are unemployed we were delighted to find that someone had been ingenious enough to gather people together that want to work even for a day.

     I will let you know how this goes.


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Related articles

• Interview: Angie Hicks of Angie's List (businessinsider.com)
• What is a Senior Move Manager? (parentdwellings.com)

Moving On....will the family and our ghost be happy?

In a perfect world it would all go...perfectly!  We would list our home and the buyer would come with cash, no questions and pay to have us moved out.  But we all know that the world is not perfect. At least not where I live.  Of all the things my husband and I have done since we were married 50 years ago, moving has got to be the most difficult.

I remember the first apartment...the one I would still be living in because I did not know how to move.  I was barely 20 years old.   Now we are planning for what I hope is our final move.  The house we have found is perfect and we will not get too old for it.  Our condo is going to a good owner so whatever ghosts that live with us are not throwing a fit....yet.  We have sorted and disposed of most of our junk already so the move should not kill us physically.  Still....

There are things that I just hate to do.

1. Fill out and sign forms
2. Wait
3. Worry
4. Decide
5. Work hard
6. Talk about finances
7. Sort
8. Clean top to bottom
9. Face a deadline
10. Worry (again)

When you are the member of a family, you know that everything you do has an effect on everyone else.  It is true in our case too.  We will move closer to our daughter (is that good?).  Our grandchildren only know us in this place.  Will they mind a new "grandma house"?  Are we being financially wise?  Will the move be a burden to our family?  Will the move kill us!!!!

It will all be fine.  We are very excited to be getting a home that has no stairs.  The house is the same size as our condo but it has a tiny fairy garden in the back and is landscaped front yard.  I will have an office so I can continue to write for you.  We will have a great room layout with no division between the kitchen and living.  I will also have a desk in the kitchen.  We will over look a tiny green space and our neighbors will all be retired.  We will be able to walk across the street to a neighborhood with walking paths.  We are within walking distance of the downtown here in Hillsboro.

It all seems good right now.  The ducks are all falling into a row and, good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, we will be moving by July 26th.  YIKES!!!  Keep your fingers crossed for us!

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How a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) Can Help You Retire In Style!

When I my husband and I are ready to buy another piece of property we will be looking for a real estate company and agent that serves senior citizens. I decided this when I discovered a REALTORS^® certification for agents called SRES^{® (Senior Real Estate Specialist).}  This guarantees that the agent is trained and certified to serve seniors (50+). I just makes good sense.

Yesterday I  discovered a real estate agency that not only employs SRES^® agents but they have a whole division that serves clients 55+.  The agency is located in NYC and the division is called Seniors on the Move. 

Real Estate Ad:  Established in the late 1990’s, Prudential Douglas Elliman’s Seniors on the Move Division is a dedicated team of real estate professionals that focus on the specific needs of the 55+ buyer and seller. Our Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES^®) are certified and have completed the educational requirements, which ensure they offer the best service to this growing community. 

We launched our Seniors on the Move website to make that the process of finding your new Senior Lifestyle home easy and our SRES^® specialists are always just a phone call or email away to assist you. Inside you’ll find properties which have been designated for Senior Living to make your search easier. 

I love the idea of a real estate company offering a whole division designed to serve 55+. I think a large percentage of newly retired people fantasize about moving. The idea that they can live anywhere without worrying about finding a job is very enticing. My husband and I were those people 15 years ago. However, we were on our own. We were not aware of any real estate companies or agents trained to help us find the perfect forever house. So we had to set our own criteria and educate the person we chose as a real estate agent. We wanted our dream location to meet these needs:

• Financing
• City life
• Reasonable price
• Aesthetics/luxury
• Amenities
• Square footage
• Services

Oregon Condo for Sale

We bought a condo in a planned community with restaurants and a grocery in walking distance.  Now we have our condo for sale and we are thinking of moving to another "perfect" location. Our list of needs has not changed that much. We live in Portland, Oregon metro area so NYC is just a dream. We are in our early 70s and common sense says no!  Sigh!

FIY:  The SRES^® designation by the National Association of Realtors carries education requirements with it. Once an agent completes the program, the agent can then add SRES^® as a title after their name.   The SRES^®  is a certification available to REALTORS^® across the USA.  They describe the certification like this:

Seniors Real Estate Specialists^® or SRES^® designees are REALTORS^® qualified to address the needs of home buyers and sellers age 50+. The SRES^® Council awards the SRES^® Designation to those members who have successfully completed its education program.

This type of agent could be very valuable for you!

I need to let you know that what I find to be a good idea may or may not work for you.  It is your choice and I don't guarantee anything.  I can only give you the information.

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