One of the most important pieces of advice that we can give you, is to give yourself plenty of time. It takes time to plan and set things in motion. It does not happen overnight. Give yourself at least 3 to 5 years before you actually plan on making any moves. It is in your best interests to start the planning while you are able to do so. Making decisions after an emergency arises is much harder
Look at your home through a different lens
Imagine you are now 80+ years old. Ask yourself some questions like the ones below and your answers will start to guide you
Can you maintain your current home?
Will the Stairs become too much for you?
Is the yard work going to bother you?<
Will you still be able to shovel your driveway?
Do you have any health concerns?
Do you want to stay in the same town?
What changes do you need to make to your home if you want to stay there?
What changes would you need to make if you plan on selling your home?Do you have any health concerns?
Is your next move going to be your last move or not?
Think about what to do with all the stuff that you have accumulated over the years. What do you plan on doing with that? Start to declutter early and as often as you can while you are healthy and able to do so. Making such decisions under duress is very difficult for everyone involved.
Open the dialogue with your family on what living situation you want.
Bring in the appropriate professionals to help you navigate these decisions. If you plan on selling your home, work with a good realtor. Your realtor will be an invaluable resource for you. He or She will be able to guide you through the process of selling your home. From decluttering to repairs to stagging and finally selling.