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The Process • October 15, 2025

How to take the stress out of buying and selling a home

by Tracy Heller

Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions most people ever make. Whether you are a first time homebuyer or long time homeowner getting ready to downsize, the process can feel overwhelming at times. The good news is that with the right strategies and tools it doesn’t have to be stressful.

Here are some practical ways to make your next move as smooth and stress free as possible. Figure out why am I making this move. In other words…

  1. Define your goals. Ask yourself these questions:  Are you buying to be closer to family?  Are you downsizing for a simpler lifestyle?  Are you moving to get into a specific school district or neighborhood?  Knowing your why helps you stay focused and confident when challenges arise.
  2. Partner with a Trusted Professional. A knowledgable and caring agent can make all the difference. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) who also works closely with first time homebuyers, I’ve seen how personalized guidance helps clients avoid costly mistakes and stay calm through the process. From navigating inspections to negotiating offers, having someone with many years of experience and who knows what to expect and know how to solve problems before they escalate is invaluable.
  3. Plan Ahead. Real estate timelines often involve unexpected delays, timing for appraisals, inspections, contractor issues etc. To reduce your stress, build flexibility into your move-out or move-in dates. Start packing early and label boxes clearly. Keep important documents in one area so your don’t have to search for them when deadlines approach.
  4. Give Yourself Grace and Manage the Emotional Side. Moving isn’t just a financial decision, it is deeply emotional. You may be leaving a home filled with memories or stepping into a new chapter of your life. Here are a few ideas to ease the emotional load: Create a memory box with photos and small keepsakes from your home. Focus on what you are gaining with new opportunities, freedom and fresh starts. Take breaks when needed. You don’t have to everything all at once. Take a little time for yourself!
  5. Use Technology to Stay Organized. Here are some tools to help you simplify the process. You can sign documents digitally. When your printer is put away you can sign most documents online. Turn to your Realtor for recommendations of companies that will sell your furniture and home items online for you. Lots of companies focus on helping people purge items from their homes. Many are connected with programs that help those in need so your items can go to a good cause. Utilize online moving checklists and budgeting apps to help you keep track of expenses etc.
  6. Lean on your Support System. Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Friends and family often want to help, whether it is packing, labeling, babysitting during showings or simply being a listening ear during the process.
  7. Celebrate the Milestones. Each step you take is worth celebrating. Find joy in the process and look forward to what lies ahead! Gratitude and positive thoughts can go a long way toward reducing stress!

Real estate transactions have lots of moving parts but it does not need to feel chaotic or out of control. With preparation, communication and professional guidance, you can enjoy the process and all the relationships you develop along the way!

It’s exciting to think about the next chapter.

If you are thinking of making a change, I would love to be your guide!

Senior Living • February 13, 2023

Overview of Housing Options for Seniors

by Tracy Heller

There are several housing options for senior citizens, including:

  1. Independent living: Independent living communities offer seniors the ability to live in a community setting with minimal assistance, while still maintaining their independence.
  2. Assisted living: Assisted living communities provide residents with help with daily tasks, such as bathing and dressing, while also offering social and recreational activities.
  3. Nursing homes: Nursing homes provide residents with around-the-clock care and medical supervision, including assistance with daily tasks and medical needs.
  4. Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs): CCRCs offer a range of housing options, including independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing care, allowing residents to age in place as their needs change.
  5. Home modification: Seniors who prefer to age in place can make modifications to their homes, such as installing grab bars, wheelchair ramps, and walk-in showers, to ensure safety and accessibility.
  6. Affordable housing: There are affordable housing options available for low-income seniors, such as subsidized apartments and government-funded housing programs.

Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important for seniors to carefully consider their needs and preferences when choosing a housing option.

For more information on housing options for seniors see https://www.help4seniors.org/about

Additional information can be found on my blog at www.hellersells.com

As you consider the housing options above, there may be benefit programs available for our seniors. Don’t forget to check out this link, https://www.ncoa.org/article/energy-assistance-benefits

Senior Living • April 27, 2022

Caregiver Stress

by Tracy Heller

Caregiver Stress 

This blog post is for all the people going through life stresses associated with caregiving.

As a CABR Seniors Real Estate designee, I am trained to help my clients prepare for housing transitions for their senior loved ones. My background as a Masters Level Individual, Couples and Family Therapist coupled with my SRES designation lends itself to this specialty in the world of real estate.

I find that the clients that seek me out for this type of work are dealing with many types of stress. They are often faced with very busy schedules, care of children young and old, and the stress of caring for loved ones that are beginning to make decisions about their future living situations. Clients often reach out because they need help developing a plan to address these issues. My expertise is helping them navigate their particular situations, beginning the work of starting conversations with their loved ones, preparing their loved ones current homes for the marketplace-downsizing-organizing-donating, looking through the many housing options available in their communities and providing valuable resources to help with the process.

You can find many articles related to Seniors in my blog, A Real Estate Guide, that address each of these steps.  https://www.hellersells.com/guide

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Caregiver stress is real

This quote from the Caregiver Assistance Network is a window into the stress of caregiving.

“Nearly one out of every three people in the United States are caring for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend. Many of them need resources to learn how to take care of their family members, as well as themselves, in order to avoid isolation, burnout or illness.”

Please see the following resources available for caregivers

https://www.help4seniors.org/programs-services/caregiver-support

Do you frequently help an older loved-one with housekeeping, grocery shopping, errands, meal preparation, transportation, paperwork, or personal care (bathing, getting dressed)? If so, you are one of more than 65 million Americans who provide care for a chronically ill, disabled or aged family member or friend.

Many caregivers do not identify themselves as such. They tend to see themselves as just doing what they are supposed to do as a spouse or child. However, they are more inclined to seek help and become more skilled if they identify themselves as a caregiver.

Council on Aging’s Caregiver Support Program can help. The program provides one-on-one support for family or volunteer caregivers.

The program works to:

  • Reduce caregiver stress, burden and injuries
  • Increase caregiver confidence and knowledge
  • Improve the quality of care
  • Help caregivers balance their lives and caregiving responsibilities
  • Provide respite care (time off/away for the caregiver) in an appropriate, safe environment (not available in Clermont County)

Program qualifications

To qualify, the caregiver or care recipient must be at least 60 years old and the caregiver must live in Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton or Warren counties. There is no age requirement for family caregivers who provide care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders with neurological and organic brain dysfunction.

For more information, review the Caregiver Support fact sheet or

Call Council on Aging at (513) 721-1025 or (800) 252-0155, Option 2.

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AARP provides helpful information in the link below

*For information on Caregiver Burnout and Ways to Cope with Stress- See link below provided by AARP.

https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2019/caregiver-stress-burnout.html?CMP=KNC-DSO-CAREGIVING-SelfCare-10905-GOOG-CaregiverBurnout-Exact-NonBrand-ENG&ds_rl=1288354&gclid=CjwKCAiAgvKQBhBbEiwAaPQw3CJpqDwVgTGEgmabRb3R0xU2Q7RKZ2sPPCcojK713GhlWthTzN0TFBoCAvkQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

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Cleveland Clinic Resources are also available on their website

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout

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As I discussed above, caring for our loved ones can be challenging but there are resources out there to help. 

If you are feeling the effects of caregiver stress and want to seek help, you can also seek out a counselor or join a caregiver support group. You don’t need to feel alone. There are so many people that would love to connect. 

  • CAREline (513) 869-4483 – a helpline providing resource information, referrals and support.
  • https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/life-balance/info-2021/support-groups.html
  • https://www.help4seniors.org/programs-services/caregiver-support

Please feel free to reach out to me any time.  https://www.hellersells.com

Photo by MART PRODUCTION

 

Senior Living • March 28, 2022

Top 10 Rightsizing Tips for Seniors

by Tracy Heller

Decluttering and Rightsizing!

Many of us seem to be having the same conversations about simplifying our lives, decluttering our homes and getting rid of “stuff”.  The “stuff” just simply bogs us down.  It is amazing how it all accumulates.  From large homes to more modest homes, we all seem to have one shared experience, Clutter!  We love shows like Marie Kondo’s Tidying up with Marie Kondo on Netflix and magazines like Simplify Magazine, always looking for new ideas and strategies to face the accumulation.

As I explore resources on this topic, I realize that there is a wealth of information out there and lots of tips to begin this process. I think the tips in the SRES article below will help you get a good start. Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss the process.  I certainly have helped many clients work through the journey of rightsizing!

Top 10 Rightsizing Tips for Seniors

Julie https://sres.realtor/blog/blog-home/top-10-rightsizing-tips-seniors
Top 10 Rightsizing Tips for Seniors

1. Start with the easy stuff.

Eliminate anything that’s broken, damaged, or no longer wanted. Then, go to the out-of-the-way spaces like attics, crawlspaces, and garages. Progress in these “easier” parts of your home will help you build momentum and tackle the harder-to-decide areas.

2. Ask yourself,  “If this disappeared tomorrow, would I run out and replace it?”

If you wouldn’t miss it or need to replace it, it’s probably not worth keeping.

3. Don’t be a storage unit for others.

If friends or relatives have left things for you to store, it’s time to ask them to pick up their possessions—or arrange to have them shipped. You may need to be tough and set a firm deadline, after which you will donate the items.

4. Ask for help.

Although you can do much of this work on your own, a family member, a good friend, or even a professional organizer can help make the job more manageable.

5. Decide what’s important.

Pretend you are moving overseas, but you can only take a severely limited number of items because it costs a small fortune to ship them. What items belong on your list? These are the things that matter most to you!

6. Is this something from a lifestyle I no longer have or want?

For example, if you have three cabinets full of plastic containers, but only cook for one or two people, it’s reasonable to eliminate a few plastic sets—and dishes, pots, and pans.

7. Schedule a regular time each week—or several days a week—to work on rightsizing.

Realize that rightsizing is a life-changing marathon, not a sprint. You didn’t accumulate everything overnight, and you won’t sort it all out overnight, either.

8. Value what you keep.

The fewer things you keep, the more you will treasure and enjoy what you have, instead of tucking items away in a closet or stacked among dozens of other things. These are the select, meaningful items worth having in your personal space.

9. Prevent new collections from forming.

Instead of material gifts, ask people to spoil you by sharing time, enjoying new experiences, and helping you indulge in luxuries (spa certificates, imported chocolate, a musical or other theatre production, gift certificates for dinner out, etc.). In other words, ask for special treats that you love and want, but don’t always buy for yourself.

10. Use age to your advantage.

Now is a great time to give items to family members that you eventually want them to have. Take a photo (preferably a digital one) of your recipients holding their treasured gifts and create a scrapbook of “next generation” memories. These images can serve as powerful reminders of your most cherished items moving forward into posterity with the most special people in your life.

DECLUTTERING

This information is provided by http://sres.com
If you are interested in related articles, please see another one of my blog articles below and subscribe. https://www.hellersells.com/2022/02/16/helping-our-senior-loved-ones-prepare-their-homes-for-sale

Photo by Julia M Cameron

Additional resources:

New Life Furniture Bank

Everything But The House

For more information please feel free to contact me:  https://www.hellersells.com
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