Downsizing

Downsizing

Continuing the conversation…. talking about people and their “stuff” and the struggles more aging baby boomers are having coming to terms with what we call, for lack of a better term, “downsizing”.  

Let’s set the stage… For most of us, home is our largest asset and the place where the bulk of our future nest egg resides. At the same time, it’s also the centering place that nurtures our closely-held notions about comfort, privacy, shelter, security, safety, refuge. (Something the  pandemic reminded us of.)

Most decisions involving buying and/or selling are part and parcel of the much larger transitions people make throughout their lives – all the biggies: marriage, birth of twins, job changes, career success, divorce, health challenges, grown kids, aging, death of a loved one.  When people move from one house to another it’s usually because they’re trying to get from one place to another in their lives. 

So, at a time when 10,000 people in the US turn 65 each day and a huge number of aging baby boomers find themselves sitting on the cusp between the first two thirds of life and the last third, it’s no surprise that some folks are struggling. What do we want the next 30 years to look like? What role should our homes play in all of this?

Suffice to say – It’s complicated. We grew up in a culture that’s not used to talking about aging or death and there’s no readily accessible instruction manual. We’re all looking for a map to guide us but right now it just looks more like one of those jigsaw puzzles that has to be put together one piece at a time.  

To help people navigate a smoother and more graceful transition I’m hosting a series of talks to dig into some of the details and fit some of the pieces together (in addition to providing a gentle nudge to those who need it).  

Wednesday March 15th  Preparing for Downsizing: How do Capital Gains Taxes and Prop 19 Property Tax Transfer Rules work? Plus a look at the challenges of  buying “down” in a low inventory market and strategies for buying before selling, selling before buying and selling and buying at the same time. 

March 22nd 7:00-8:30pm  Preparing for Downsizing: What do you do with all of your “stuff”? Tips, pointers, resources for dealing with the lifetime of personal possessions that you really don’t want to let go of.  

The talks are FREE and held at Christie’s Sereno 720 Front Street, Downtown Santa Cruz. Seating is limited so email [email protected] or call Tom Brezsny at 831-818-1431 to reserve a spot.