{"id":410,"date":"2026-05-01T16:37:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:37:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=410"},"modified":"2026-05-01T16:37:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-01T21:37:34","slug":"stay-or-sell-how-to-make-the-right-call-as-you-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/?p=410","title":{"rendered":"Stay or Sell? How To Make the Right Call as You Age"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"pt-8 px-8\">\n<h2 class=\"profile-color-text text-3xl\">Stay or Sell? How To Make the Right Call as You Age<\/h2>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><time class=\"text-base-content\" datetime=\"2026-04-29T10:30:00Z\">Wednesday April 29th, 2026<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 text-base-content flex items-center flex-wrap gap-x-4 gap-y-2\"><span class=\"flex items-center flex-wrap gap-1\"><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/sellers\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">For Sellers,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/senior-market\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Senior Market,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/agent-value\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Agent Value,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/downsize\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Downsize,<\/a><a class=\"text-base-content\" href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/en\/category\/selling-tips\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">Selling Tips<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<div>Article from Keeping Current Matters<\/div>\n<div>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"p-6 px-8\">\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex gap-1 flex-wrap w-fit sm:w-full my-4\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"mt-6 flex flex-col gap-4 mb-8\">\n<div class=\"mb-2\">\n<p>At some point, as you start thinking about the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2025\/01\/28\/how-home-equity-can-help-fuel-your-retirement\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">years ahead<\/a>, this question tends to come up:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em>Stay or Sell? How to make the right call as you age and outgrow your home or how too much home to care for.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><em>\u201cCould I stay here long-term\u2026 or would it make more sense to move?\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not always urgent. It often shows up in small moments, like going up and down the stairs, keeping up with the maintenance, or just thinking about what the next chapter of your life might look like in this home.<\/p>\n<p>For most people, the answer is simple. They want to stay.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<em>USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology<\/em>\u00a0found about\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/gero.usc.edu\/about\/our-field\/the-value-of-aging-in-place\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>90%<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0of adults over 65 prefer to stay in their homes as they get older\u00a0<\/strong>(<em>see below<\/em>):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260428\/20260429-90-Percent-of-Adults-original.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260428\/20260429-90-Percent-of-Adults-original.png\" alt=\"a blue circle with white text\" \/><\/a>But even if staying feels like the right answer, it\u2019s still worth thinking ahead about what that might actually look like. That\u2019s where the right agent can really help.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>What You Need To Plan for If You\u2019re Staying in Your Home<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Aging in place is\u00a0<em>definitely\u00a0<\/em>possible. But it\u2019s better if you have a plan. And here\u2019s why. The home that once worked perfectly may need to change with you over the years. And it\u2019s easier if you can anticipate those expenses.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Sometimes that means small updates:\u00a0<\/strong>like adding grab bars in the shower.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Other times, you\u2019ll have to make bigger decisions:<\/strong>\u00a0like reworking layouts or moving key spaces to the first floor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Some of those changes are going to be simple. Others can be a meaningful investment. And that\u2019s why thinking about it early matters. Not because you\u00a0<em>need\u00a0<\/em>to decide anything right now, but because it gives you\u00a0<strong>time.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><em>More Time <\/em><\/strong>to understand what your home may need.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Time\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>to explore your options.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Time\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>to find the right contractors.<\/li>\n<li><strong><em>Much Needed Time <\/em><\/strong>to space out the expense of the upgrades.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>According to\u00a0<em>ElderLife Financial<\/em>, here&#8217;s a rough baseline of what it could cost depending on what needs to be done (<em>see below<\/em>):<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260428\/20260429-What-It-Might-Cost-original.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/files.keepingcurrentmatters.com\/KeepingCurrentMatters\/content\/images\/20260428\/20260429-What-It-Might-Cost-original.png\" alt=\"a blue and white rectangular sign\" \/><\/a>And don\u2019t worry. If your heart is really set on staying, but the costs feel like a concern, it helps to know you have options. Depending on your situation, there may be financial assistance programs available, along with tools like\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ahs.com\/home-matters\/cost-savers\/important-home-modifications-for-aging-in-place\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">home warranties<\/a>\u00a0to help manage unexpected costs.<\/p>\n<p>Just remember, if you\u2019re thinking about making updates, it\u2019s always worth having a quick conversation before you start. A real estate agent can help you understand which changes tend to make sense for your situation and how they may impact your home\u2019s value based on your local market.<\/p>\n<h4><strong>When Moving Might Make More Sense<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>But staying isn\u2019t always the best fit for every situation. According to\u00a0<em>Pegasus Senior Living<\/em>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>\u201cWhile most seniors hope to age in place, practical considerations sometimes make selling a home the wiser choice.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Sometimes, it comes down to a simple shift:\u00a0<strong>when the home that once made life\u00a0<em>easier<\/em>, starts to make it\u00a0<em>harder<\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>That might look like:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Maintenance or yardwork that&#8217;s starting to feel overwhelming<\/li>\n<li>Stairs or layouts that are getting harder to manage day-to-day<\/li>\n<li>Or needing more support or care or being too far from loved ones<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And sometimes, it\u2019s not about necessity at all. It\u2019s about lifestyle. Some homeowners just don\u2019t want to live through major renovations. Others are ready to simplify,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.simplifyingthemarket.com\/2026\/01\/29\/why-so-many-homeowners-are-downsizing-right-now\/?a=1000025117-654188f2b9e9f721433bea74f0bf3424\">downsize<\/a>, or move somewhere that better fits this next chapter, whether that\u2019s a smaller home, a 55+ community, or a place closer to family.<\/p>\n<p>For them, moving simply means making daily life easier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3 class=\"text-xl mb-2\">Bottom Line<\/h3>\n<p>There\u2019s no one-size-fits-all answer here.<\/p>\n<p>Some people stay and make updates. Others move to simplify things. Either can be the right choice. The goal isn\u2019t to pick one today. It\u2019s to understand your options early, so when the time comes, you feel confident instead of rushed.<\/p>\n<p>And if you ever want a sounding board to think through what the future could look like for you, let\u2019s connect.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"142\" data-end=\"351\"><strong data-start=\"142\" data-end=\"195\">Twila Bertrand, REALTOR\u00ae | CENTURY 21 Cota Realty<\/strong><br data-start=\"195\" data-end=\"198\" \/>\ud83d\udccd Serving Lufkin, Huntington, Nacogdoches &amp; all of East Texas<br data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"263\" \/>\ud83d\udcde 936-208-7631 | \ud83d\udce7 <a class=\"decorated-link cursor-pointer\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"284\" data-end=\"307\">twilabertrand@gmail.com<\/a><br data-start=\"307\" data-end=\"310\" \/>\ud83c\udf10 <a class=\"decorated-link\" href=\"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener\" data-start=\"313\" data-end=\"351\">https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"353\" data-end=\"704\">Helping buyers and sellers navigate the East Texas real estate market with confidence. Whether you&#8217;re searching for homes for sale in Lufkin TX, selling your property in Angelina County, or looking for the best Realtor\u00ae near you, I provide expert guidance backed by local market knowledge, proven results, and a commitment to putting your goals first.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"706\" data-end=\"913\">From first-time homebuyers to luxury listings, land, and investment properties\u2014I\u2019m here to help you every step of the way. If you&#8217;re wondering <em data-start=\"849\" data-end=\"901\">\u201cIs now a good time to buy or sell in East Texas?\u201d<\/em>\u2014let\u2019s talk.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"915\" data-end=\"1008\">\u2b50 Trusted. Local. Proven.<br data-start=\"940\" data-end=\"943\" \/>\ud83d\udd0e Search \u201cBest Realtor in Lufkin TX\u201d \u2014 and let\u2019s get you moving!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Stay or Sell? How To Make the Right Call as You Age Wednesday April 29th, 2026 . For Sellers,Senior Market,Agent Value,Downsize,Selling Tips . Article from Keeping Current Matters . At some point, as you start thinking about the\u00a0years ahead, this question tends to come up: Stay or Sell? How to make the right call as [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":194391,"featured_media":411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[109,107,148,89,105,28,31,55,30,42,21,15,85,46],"class_list":["post-410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-estate","tag-best-local-realtor","tag-best-real-estate-agent","tag-best-real-estate-agent-in-lufkin-tx","tag-best-realtor","tag-best-realtor-in-lufkin","tag-buying-a-home","tag-buying-facts","tag-expert-advice","tag-homeownership","tag-invest-wisely","tag-real-estate-agent","tag-realtor","tag-sellers-agent","tag-trust-the-pros"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/194391"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=410"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":413,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/410\/revisions\/413"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=410"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=410"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/twilabertrand.sites.c21.homes\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=410"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}