feeling a little scared
 

Is it normal to feel a little scared about this move, retirement selling our home in nj and
having enough to live well? I know we have done things right and that from a coast perspective fla offers us the best deal but I still have this voice in my head telling me What the he heck are you doing. Trying to take this in small steps We are cleaning out and fixing what needs to be so the house can be listed. House hunting in the villages starts on Oct 26 for 5 days then it hope the house in nj sales fast so I can retire and move to the Villages
I would like any input thanks for listening :pray:

A couple of things....

Selling the house is probably the biggest concern. Make sure when listing it that it is "move-in ready"....absolutely nothing to repair, and make sure it is updated cosmetically with the help of a professional stager. Most people watch the t.v. shows of home makeovers now, and the dramatic but often low-cost renovations like neutral paint and new carpeting in main living areas helps people envision their furnishings/taste in it. A trained, certified home stager knows how to keep costs down by spending on the things whose cost will not only be recouped in the sale price, but will boost it above the others in the listing photos online. This is very important because pictures online are your home's first impression, and they tell the buyer whether it's a place they'd like to see in person or not.

Would you go to a job interview dressed in your 1970's polyester leisure suit and expect to get the job? Probably not, and the home presentation is the same way.

Once ready for the beauty contest of real estate showings, price the home at an appealing price compared to others like it. It's not worth it to agonize over your home not selling when you could be here in the sunshine every day.

Absolutely it is normal! In fact as we sit here in England we wonder the same thing you do. Selling and moving house is a huge stress on anyone and there will always be voices telling you the possible "right & wrongs". I think you have to follow your heart and I am a strong believer that: "Everything happens for a reason" and whatever is meant to be, will be! Just go with it, I am sure you will find lots of happiness in The Villages!

I agee "follow your heart"

just look for my previous post "second guessing". I was in the midst of clearing out my house and moving....and I was scared as well. It just seems so overwhelming....but hang in there.

If you were not concerned I would think there was something wrong with you. This is a really difficult time in your life. You are selling your home where your children grew up, you know all the neighbors, you know everything about your town. You are leaving a job, or jobs, to go somewhere new and live on a fixed income for the rest of your life - very scary.

We were fortunate in that my husband's company had a pro and con seminar where he had to sit down and put down the good and the bad parts about retiring (and never mind moving), then we had to tell the kids we were going to move and leave them and our grandchildren ............. major guilt trip.

It all came together, we moved, love our new neighborhood, love our new life which is now (8 years old) and the kids have adjusted to us being here and not there! Things will be fine, you will get used to being part a new neighborhood along with all the other people going through the same emotions and insecurities as you. :wave:

Yep, sounds normal to me!

We decided to move to Florida from Bellevue, Washington. I had lived in my house for over 30 years and still had a lot of my husband's things when he died 10 years ago. I recently remarried to a wonderful man who understood my dilemma and had lived in Ft. Meyers for 15 years. Together we sold everything in the house and sent a few boxes to his son in Ocala, Fla. We then drove and it took us 3 weeks to get there. We golfed and visited relatives along the way and saw the sights. We bought a house in May, bought a golf cart in June and retired within two months!!! This was the best decision we have ever made. It was scary, but together we made it!!!

I felt the same way worrying about everything in regards to retirement. This feeling did not leave until we bought a house in the village of Collier last week. After signing the dotted lines and giving our 10% deposit a feeling of calmness came over me. Our dream had finally become a reality so it felt right.

We still have many things to do until we retire such as selling the old house and getting the new house rented for a year. Once we bought that house I refuse to worry anymore and know somehow it will all work out.

As you stated do this in small steps but get started downsizing as soon as possible. Good luck to you.

Where in NJ? My kids are looking to buy a house in the surrounding ares of Old Bridge, Freehold, East Brunswick etc.

I have not told my daughter yet_i know she will give me a guilt trip but I was a single parent and took care of her alone then when my parents were i.l i cared for them Ithink its time fome and my husband

Old bridge we have a 4 bedroom

Very stressful time. We bought and built on Allaire loop. Took possession last February. :pray: we listed our house in point pleasant beach in April. We sold it today and it is stress free from now on. The last dock line has been cast off and now we can move at our leisure. We both have work to finish but when the time is right..:pray: (May, June) we will depart permanently. I intend to work from my remote location for a time of transition. Scary Yes..... but the best is yet to come..:pepper2::bigbow::bigbow:

Yep....Been there. Broke down and cried when the house was empty. Lost sleep worrying if we could do it. Once we moved here and I got to talking to people it seems that these amxieties are the norm! Hang in there and as ling as you are honest with yourself and live within your means, you'll be fine. One thing I do like about The Villages, NO ONE is concerned about what you own. We are all here to keep active and make friend, whether you are drenched in diamonds or the latest WalMart fashion discount! 😊

You are not alone, believe me. We've been doing the exact same thing.

However, we are waiting till after winter to list the house.

It's just "what's done" up here.....as winter can be a messy time to have folks traipsing through the house......so May 1st is a good target date.

We've always listed all of our homes on May 1st and they've always sold quickly.

However, the house looks so great now........I keep wondering "What are we doing?" We should just rent and winter in Florida. Why give up a perfectly beautiful comfortable home to live in a tinier version? Why give up all of our close friends and community for the unknown?

Then I think of the nice flat terrain, the warmer climate, and hopefully more sunshine than the rain of late (in Florida) and I know why. It's a better place to "age in place".........