Helping long-time owners begin the journey to their new home

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (June 19, 2023) — I recently have had the pleasure of working with several families who had lived in their homes for more than 30 years. Some were original homeowners.

The thought of selling a long-time home can be daunting. but it doesn’t have to be. Finding an experienced Realtor is key to easing the complexity of a big move.

Here are three tips that homeowners should consider before selling:

Start early. The most common question I get from clients is, “How can I deal with all the stuff that has accumulated over the years?” My advice is to start with one room at a time and categorize and organize. You can hire others to do much of the physical work. Realtors have great resources for packers, organizers and haulers. It’s helpful to understand that you can’t “take it all,” which can get you into the right mindset when figuring out what to take, give to a family member, donate or have hauled away.

Talk to a CPA. There may be tax consequences of a sale for people who have owned their homes for a long period of time. Realtors cannot give tax advice, so I always recommend my clients talk to their CPA so they understand any potential tax liability before selling.

California’s Prop. 19. On Nov. 3, 2020, California voters approved Prop. 19, allowing eligible homeowners to transfer the taxable value of their existing primary residence to a replacement primary residence. The new law gives homeowners more options for moving to a different home for their retirement years. I always recommend homeowners contact the property tax department to have any questions answered so there is no confusion on what the criteria is for transfer of their existing property tax base when purchasing a new home. You can reach the state tax department at 1-916-274-3350 and www.boe.ca.gov/prop19.

For most homeowners, leaving their long-time home is very emotional. I always remind them that their homes, once filled with love and laughter, will now welcome new families who will continue that legacy.

Jennifer Stojanovich is an owner/broker with Better Homes Real Estate. Please send your ­questions and comments to ­jennifer@bhrbroker.com