Moving at any stage of life is difficult, but even more so when you get older.
Many seniors have lived in their homes for decades and have accumulated possessions and memories.
Fairwinds West Hills recognizes the challenges of moving out of a long-term home, and downsizing to either a smaller house or a retirement community.
Fairwinds is offering a free senior symposium on Wednesday, May 17, from 2 to 3:30 pm. Guest speakers will give important information about selling your home, right sizing, and sorting and selling your valuables.
Scott Friedman and Cory Travaglini of Coldwell Banker will give a current real estate market update.
Friedman is a certified Senior Real Estate Specialist and certified negotiator. He understands that seniors have very special needs. Some tend to forget very quickly, so he has created a system to get back to them after any discussion with a handwritten letter explaining what they’ve discussed, and helps them with computer issues such as docusign that seniors may not be adept at. “I learned through trial and error with my own mother,” he said. “My goal is to keep seniors comfortable and happy and simplify the process as much as we can.”
Kim O’Bannon of You Can Be Organized will discuss right sizing, decluttering and practical solutions to moving. O’Bannon has been in the organizing business 26 years, previously in the commercial market. Since the pandemic she has shifted to helping people move – either out of state to be with family or into assisted living.
She helps determine what furniture will fit into a new location, and helps them transition and say goodbye to things. “It’s hard to do after living in a home for 50 years – what to take and what to leave. I jolly them into it and have compassion,”she said.
Dana Ehrman, G.G., of Luxury Selling Solutions, will address how to identify, value and sell your valuables. She specializes in high-end property, including jewelry, watches and artwork. The former manager of jewelry stores in Beverly Hills and Vegas has watched people make “bad financial decisions” in selling personal property. She acts as a liaison through the entire process, from identifying what to sell, understanding the market, and helping clients decide to sell for cash or consignment. “They make all the decisions and I advise,” she said.
The seminar will be held at Fairwinds, 8138 Woodlake Avenue.
Refreshments will be served and prizes include a complimentary home value consultation, two hours of home organizing and an appointment to value five items.
Seating is limited; RSVP to (818) 254-8119 by May 15.
