Two years ago, when Greg Parsons and Dorothy Johnson decided it was time to start thinking about a move from their Wheat Ridge multi-level home to something all on one level, they imagined getting something smaller. But after a relaxed search that took them all over the Denver area, thatap not what they’ve chosen.
“We started out to downsize, but as time went on, that wasn’t really what we wanted,” said Greg Parsons, as he and Dorothy began sorting through their basement, organizing what to get rid of and what to take.
“These two have been very proactive about making this kind of move,” says Seth Jones, a Senior Move Specialist with The Steller Group, agents specializing in senior sales.
“We see plenty of people who wait until the last minute, and many who are in complete denial about the reality of their living situation,” Jones shares. “Not only do they face a rushed situation when the time comes, but they miss out on getting to make real choices about where they want to be, and when they want to do it.”
Greg and Dorothy, Jones adds, are great examples of all that a homeowner has to gain by starting the process early on.
After thinking about the eventual need for a single-level move, Parsons and Johnson went to one of Steller’s free seminars on downsizing in 2019. (Steller has three of those morning seminars coming up Nov. 2, Nov. 10, and Nov. 16 covering all aspects: two at Southglenn Library and one in Pinehurst.)
The couple is in good physical shape and face no immediate crisis that would make them give up climbing stairs; and they love their current Hacienda Loma Vista enclave in Wheat Ridge, where they know their neighbors and where their 2,800-sq.-ft home is relatively low-maintenance.
“We didn’t want to wait until we were in a position where we don’t have choices,” explains Dorothy.
At a relaxed pace, Steller’s Buyer Agents Katie Fredrick and Molly Smith began showing the pair properties around town, taking time off while the couple went down to Tucson for the winter. Meanwhile, Greg and Dorothy held onto their Wheat Ridge place, continuing to enjoy it as it increased in value during 2020 and 2021.
“We looked for two years, all over town,” Greg recalls. Over that period, he says, the couple became adept at evaluating what they were seeing in terms of the personal value a property would offer. Meanwhile, they found themselves needing to “right size” instead of downsize, both to store their belongings and to entertain guests.
In early August, Steller showed them a ranch-style townhome near Pinehurst Country Club in Southwest Denver—a little larger than their current house, with a finished basement that had plenty of room for storage, along with a guest suite.
“The funny part is, we were thinking of staying put for another year,” Greg says. But with their broad view of the market, he adds, they perceived a value in the Pinehurst property that they didn’t want to pass up. The couple put in what was only their second offer made on a home during the entire 2-year search and were successful.
“They hung in there with us,” Greg Parsons says, thanking Steller for seeing them through the long search. The couple is also highly complimentary of Steller for another service thatap proving invaluable during the pandemic—using its trusted contractors to do some upgrades to the new home (painting, some flooring, and skylights), in a market where contractors are hard to find.
Greg and Dorothy will enjoy a single move into their new home—no double-move necessary—to be carried out by Steller’s contractor, A Move Handled with Care. Steller will also do some minor touch-ups to prep their Wheat Ridge home for sale.
“One of the advantages of planning ahead,” says Jones, “is that we have plenty of time to focus on finding the right home, rather than having to rush into something and making a rash decision.”
Jones notes that finding a patient but proactive agent who works on the clientap timeline is critical. Sellers need to take their time, and get things right.
“We’re happy we were a good fit for them,” Jones adds. “We’re on their timetable.”
Steller’s free seminar on “Mindful Downsizing” is set for this Tuesday, Nov. 2, 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Southglenn Library. See the box above for a full schedule of upcoming seminars or visit DenverSeniorSeminars.com.
The news and editorial staffs of The Denver Post had no role in this postap preparation.