A glut of area homes when boomers sell?
A George Mason University report predicts that some baby boomer homeowners in the Washington region who try to sell soon may have trouble getting the price they want. The report, released last summer by the university’s Stephen S. Fuller Institute for Research on the Washington Region’s Economic Future, points out that people have been predicting a nationwide housing sell-off tied to ... READ MORE
D.C. Housing Notes – January 2019
Homecare company celebrates 50 years online pharmacy purchase super-kamagra online with best prices today in the USA In the fall, Silver Spring, Md.-based Family & Nursing Care celebrated half a century in business with an office move, expansion of service area, and leadership transition. The company, which provides private duty home care services for older adults, is expanding its ... READ MORE
Many reasons to consider a home share
Julie, 56, lives alone in a nice home. But due to some health issues and high medicine costs, she needed to bring in some income. The Sepulvedas, a couple in their 40s with two young children, wanted some help with cooking, cleaning and caregiving, and were willing to provide reduced-cost housing in their basement for the right person. Cathryn and her sister were worried about their... READ MORE
Is it smart to pay off your house early?
Colette Leavitt faced a difficult financial decision a few years ago, as she approached her 60s. She originally planned to retire early, at age 62, with her mortgage paid off. She would be free and clear of the financial burden of monthly payments. “It would open up some income to do things for enjoyment, as opposed to obligation,” said Leavitt, of Hooksett, N.H. But in the end,... READ MORE
Baltimore Housing Notes – January 2019
New Maryland rental housing locator The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has launched a redesigned affordable rental housing locator that provides free searching and listing for tenants and landlords. The new look is cleaner, more modern, and easier to use on smartphones and tablets. The free site, MDHousingSearch.org, enables landlords and property owners to... READ MORE
Paring down your possessions
So your daughter isn’t interested in your collection of cat figurines, and your son has no room for the dining room table you inherited from your mother. Now what? If you’re working on streamlining all the stuff you’ve collected over the years, you have a number of options. Go to Google and enter your location and the various types of venues that might be of help — from... READ MORE
Your kids don’t treasure your treasures?
When Shelley Shannon remarried recently, she went from a five-bedroom house to a two-bedroom furnished condo in Baltimore City. “We’re still trying to fit the few things I brought in,” said Shannon, who either sold or gave away 85 percent of her belongings. “If they aren’t important for this lifetime, they aren’t important,” she said. “When you really want something... READ MORE
Find help with home chores and small jobs
Dear Savvy Senior: What’s the best way to find good, trustworthy, qualified people who can help folks with home chores or small jobs? — Looking for Mom Dear Looking: Getting help at home for any number of household tasks is a lot easier than it used to be, thanks to a number of web-based tools that can quickly and easily connect you and your mom to a wide variety of skilled,... READ MORE
Smart storage strategies for small kitchens
Urban kitchens are typically tiny, presenting storage challenges. So for city dwellers, adaptability comes in handy in the kitchen. And for food storage, there’s also the frequent problem of unwelcome houseguests, like mice or bugs. Luckily, there’s a lot of great gear to keep perishables and pantry goods organized and protected, much of it pretty stylish too. Alex Weibel,... READ MORE
A passion for helping those with dementia
Elaine Rose’s husband had already been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) — a rare group of brain disorders caused by progressive nerve loss in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain — when she knew that she could no longer care for him on her own. He’d been exhibiting “quirkier” behavior for a while, and it was getting difficult to provide him the best quality of... READ MORE