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Let @properties Realtor® Deb Baker show you her Recipe For Real Estate Success!
In today's market it pays to be associated with the area's top company. @properties offers industry's leading marketing programs along with the high visibility network for your relocation needs.
Deb Baker brings that expertise to your local market.
Call or text Deb Baker at 847-668-7006
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How to Marie Kondo at 63
Your Guide to Moving From Your Forever Home to Your Senior Setup
Whether you’ve only recently moved into your current home in Chicago or you have spent a lifetime celebrating birthdays, holidays and anniversaries there moving from your “forever home” to your senior setup can be an overwhelming task.
There’s clutter to clean, downsizing to be done, prepping and packing for sale and of course the emotional effects of (what can feel like) this monumental task.
Let’s break down how to downsize as a senior to make your move easy and effortless.
Emotional Upheaval
Moving anywhere is an emotional process. You’ve made memories in your current home and whatever they were, you can be sure nothing brings them up quite like that first packing box. While you should never deny those memories, consider honoring them.
Here are a few ways to honor your forever home memories:
- consider hiring a photographer to capture you and your family in the home one more time before you pack
- say goodbye with a family dinner or party
- write a lovely note of thank you to your home and share it with the new owners wishing them joy and their own fond memories
Clutter CleanUp
If you’ve lived anywhere long enough you likely have a lot more stuff than you need. It’s natural. We as humans become collectors within our homes. Nicknacks, news clippings, mementos and decor. If you’ve got a closet bursting with clothes even - it’s time for a good cleanup.
Some key ways to Marie Kondo cleanup your clutter:
- does it spark joy? This simply means only choosing the essential items you LOVE to take into your new home. If you’ve got x1000 cat sculptures that you never really wanted - ditch them for the stuff you do.
- consider your new space. While you may have had a walk-in closet before, your new home may only have a small space. What will fit and what needs to be replaced?
- hire a bin service to support you in ridding the ‘junk’ you’ve collected or no longer need and clean as you go
- consider donating gently used or new items to charity
Prepping For Sale
While downsizing and memories may be fun, there’s some prep-work to be done before the house is saleworthy (for above asking).
Consider these tips:
- consult your Realtor! We see plenty of homes and know what’s working and not working for home sales in your neighbourhood.
- stage your home. Tuck away nicknacks and family photos and opt for neutral design features that appeal to the mass of buyers ready to snap up your gorgeous home.
- consider any upgrades that will appeal to new buyers. A simple coat of paint can freshen a home's look and feel.
Supporting a Senior in Transition
Of course, some words of advice to grown-children and loved ones offering to support seniors in their new living arrangements:
- be kind and allow them to feel the emotions of moving homes and releasing memories from within the walls they’ve shared
- try not to get over-zealous and just ‘toss it all’ and allow them space to pick and choose what they downsize with
- consider hiring professionals: Realtors, House Stagers, Landscapers, Photographers, even Organization and Downsizing Consultants can be a big help!
While your current home has served you well, know that with grace and support, your new home will be just as loving and warm because it has you.
Congratulations on your next adventure and your beautiful new space!
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Deb Baker Chicago Suburban Homes – Your Recipe For Real Estate Success
www.debbakerhomes.com
@properties real estate agent Deb Baker offers homes for sale in Long Grove, Buffalo Grove and in Chicago's Northwest, North and North Shore Suburbs with listings updated daily.- Likes: 1
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Explain the “Hidden Cost” of Homeownership
Seniors often don’t realize that, when they sell their home, they are also responsible for leaving it empty and broom clean. I often hear folks suggest that their buyers should be happy to have their old tires, lawn mower, work benches, or Christmas decorations. As their realtor, you’re the one who has to break it to them…they will have to bear the expense associated with emptying the house of anything that wasn’t specifically requested by the buyer. Don’t wait until the walk through to find out that your client doesn’t understand this.
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Hidden Costs of Homeownership Typically Top $9,000 a Year
www.zillow.com
Prepare yourself by knowing the "hidden" costs of owning a home. The cost of insurance, maintenance and more add up faster than you think.Where Have All the Houses Gone? ... See MoreSee Less

Where Have All the Houses Gone?
www.simplifyingthemarket.com
In today’s housing market, it seems harder than ever to find a home to buy. Before the health crisis hit us a year ago, there was already a shortage of homes for sale. When many homeowners delayed t...What Clients Say... From Zillow Ratings
Deb is a wonderful, insightful realtor. She has amazing creativity when it comes to buying properties. She also has great ideas for staging your home to sell. I highly recommend Deb for both buying and selling homes. She will provide the best advice and get whatever you need done. She is very responsive as well and actually answers her PHONE !!! Whenever you have questions or concerns, Deb is always available to help you (even if she is on vacation). She was so on top of everything as we found our last property.
We gave Deb our listing after our previous realtor was unable to sell our house in a timely manner. Deb immediately presented us her marketing plan, and put our house on the market right away. Deb was outstanding at negotiating and sold our house in one day. She was very responsive whenever we had questions. We were really impressed with her service, and have already recommended Deb a to a family member. She is very professional, pays attention to details, and provided a comprehensive analysis of CMA for us and positioned the property with multiple marketing channels. She provided quick responses and planned for multiple marketing situations.
If you have a home to sell/ need to find a new home, Deb is the person who can get the job done! She is an incredible person and always puts the best interests of her clients first. I know this first hand through not just my real estate transaction but also my parents. Not only did my parents have a unique home to sell, the process was extremely emotional for them. I trusted Deb to take care of my parents and she did. I trust Deb completely and use every chance I can to refer her services
Deb was a pleasure to work with through the entire process of selling the townhome. She provided great insight and guidance in preparing the property to show best including assisting in locating contractors to make some small but much need updates. Since I was out of town during the process
Deb is All around the best!! Many people say the Best, but have not truly experienced it, till they've had the pleasure to work with Deb. Genuinely sweet, patient, intelligent and amazing at decorating! Those are just a few wonderful qualities about her. Finding our home was not easy, she made it so simple and exciting! She's so detailed and her communication is impeccable! Highly recommend this amazing agent
Deb was one of three realtors interviewed to sell the home. She recognized the opportunity the home had to offer in terms of price and speed of sale. She had an astute knowledge of possible buyers and their preferences. For example, she knew the value of the home being in a highly sought after school system. She recognized the move in ready qualities of the home and marketed them extremely well. She priced the home aggressively compared to many of the comps in the community. She was firm in her response as she fielded numerous offers. Deb is always available, anytime. I highly recommend Deb.
Deb is a great guide to the whole buying process. We were glad we hired her to represent us. Really does take time to listen, explain and address concerns. She is tactful, diplomatic, responsive, professional, patient. She does not push clients to close the deal. In our case, we went through a number of properties in several suburbs without as much as a hint of pressure to finish the process. Deb is not afraid to voice her opinion about a property, if she finds an issue with it. Did not get a chance to see Deb in action as a negotiator--had multiple offer situation.
Deb has a number of professional contacts (attorneys, inspectors, contractors) you can use if you want. We needed an attorney an Deb had three recommendations. I really liked that Deb is an ethical realtor who does not cut corners at deal time. She made herself available right away to rewrite that huge pile of paper called purchase contract. Deb is a great Baker (pun intended)--her cookies are delicious!
Deb Baker, Our Real Estate Agent made our home buying easy and smooth. As we are the first time home buyers, we were looking at an Agent who could make the home buying process smooth and memorable. From day 1 till the closure, Deb was very methodical in planning and advising us to do right things at the right time. Deb kept her patience all through the process and had a genuine interest to ensure that we get our home of our liking. We lost couple of homes initially as our offer was not good enough even though Deb advised us with right offer. Despite this, she kept her patience and encouraged us that this may not be the house destined but may be something better may come up. She was right and we got the house to our liking which we believe that we could call our home. Having learnt our lessons, we just listened to Deb and did exactly what she asked us to do. We got everything right this time. This happened due to trust and helping us like our family member. She has set of wonderful people around her who could help us in finding right mortgage, house related work like painting, electrician, handy man, moves etc. I would strongly recommend Deb Baker to all my friends for their home search and making it memorable experience.
Deb got us a great price. She will work to get what you want at your price range. She was very thorough with all my questions. This is our first home purchase so we had a lot of questions answered by her. Great referral and referrals also!
Deb "hold your hand" and will "have your back" through the sale of your home. Her negotiation skills snd marketing background makes her SHINE. You can not go wrong having Deb Baker on your side!
Deb Baker keeps you informed at every step along the way and provides meaningful evaluations of your home's value and the property you are considering for acquisition.
As first time home buyers this process was very overwhelming and Deb was right by our side the whole time. She guided us through everything and had an amazing attitude. She was always there to give us immediate feedback at any time of day. Deb was able to find the perfect home for us and we couldn't be more thankful!
My husband and I were extremely pleased with Deb and, as a matter of fact, passed on her contact information to someone we just met the other night; someone who will also be relocating to the Lake Forest area from Silicon Valley. Deb is extremely knowledgeable, resourceful, and patient. She has a extremely friendly, outgoing personality. We are new to the Chicagoland area and needed a lot of guidance! We both highly recommend her!!!