SENIOR LIVING
JULY 10, 2026 | CLEVELAND JEWISH NEWS | CJN.ORG 1
SENIOR MEDICARE MAVEN! LIVING Finally, a
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Many factors go into downsizing ELLEN BRAUNSTEIN
M
oving from a house that you have been in for a longtime to an apartment, condominium or smaller home can bring relief, but the process often involves more than simply finding a new place to live. For many older adults, the decision begins when maintaining the house becomes more difficult. Robert Gallmann of the Gallmann Group at RE/MAX in Solon said that aging systems, needed repairs and changing mobility can all signal that a home no longer fits its owners’ lives. Gallmann “The furnace is getting older, the roof is getting older, the AC is getting older,” Gallmann said. “Some of it’s from a property standpoint. Some of its mobility.” A second-floor bedroom or basement laundry room may become increasingly inconvenient or unsafe. At the same time, a house that once accommodated children may feel oversized after family members move out or a spouse dies. “The family’s gone, maybe a spouse is gone, and it’s just them or a couple, and they’re just in too big of a house,” Gallmann said. “It’s just a lifestyle change to make the house fit the lifestyle.” The move can also be highly emotional. People may be leaving the place where they raised children, celebrated birthdays, and bar and bat mitzvahs, and built relationships with neighbors. They may also be moving away from familiar grocery stores, salons, doctors and other parts of their routine. That attachment can cause people to delay planning, even when they recognize that a move may eventually be necessary. Gallmann said that many clients later tell him they wish they had moved sooner. “Most people wait too long, and when they do it, they’re like, ‘I wish I would have done this two years ago,’” he said. Planning early allows older adults to explore options
without facing the pressure of a health crisis or other sudden change. They can determine whether they want an apartment, condominium, smaller house or a home closer to their children. They can also learn what their current house may be worth and what improvements could help it sell. Gallmann advised homeowners to address major problems that are likely to arise during an inspection. Cosmetic changes can also make a significant difference. In one house, he recommended removing wallpaper and replacing blue carpeting before putting the property on the market. “The likely buyer is someone at the same stage of life she was in when she bought the house, not where she is today,” he said. Fresh paint, updated flooring, trimmed landscaping and minor handyman repairs can make a house more appealing to buyers who want a move-in-ready property. Older adults should discuss with a real estate professional which projects are worth completing and which may not provide enough return to make them worthwhile. That conversation can help them avoid spending unnecessarily while still preparing the house for sale. Gallmann recently worked with a couple who had lived for 25 years on 3 acres in Auburn Township. Their bedroom was upstairs, and maintaining the lawn and snow had become more difficult because of health problems. At first, they were not ready to move. Gallmann suggested turning a first-floor office into a bedroom, which allowed them to remain in the house for two more years. When they were ready, they prepared the property, received multiple offers and arranged to have 90 days to find a rental. A successful move begins with a clear plan and professionals who understand the pressures older adults may face, Gallman said. “They’re going to make all the decisions,” he said. “We’re just here to give them all the information they need to make great decisions.” Ellen Braunstein is a freelance journalist.
With my free advisory services you will eliminate COSTLY MEDICARE MISTAKES. Steve Raichilson
Senior Health Advocate Licensed Agent, Medicare Maven 216-870-3828 sraichilson@raichilson.com www.raichilsonmedicareadvisory.com