Downsizing with Crouch Realty Group

Downsizing can be driven by many events: Becoming Empty Nesters, retiring, loss of a loved one, not wanting/being able to keep up a large home. Regardless of the reasons, it takes special care and consideration.

Have the Stars Aligned for Downsizing?

Consider the advantages in today’s environment: Nice price appreciation in the last few years – more equity! Ever wanted to move closer to the kids? Or have a place you can lock up and leave for an extended period of time – worry free? It could be time to think about it!!
We focus on education around the issues of moving after decades in the same home. It takes time, but can make a huge improvement in people’s quality of life. We are here to guide you home.

Senior couple infront of large home looking at floor plans

Recent or Soon to be Empty Nesters

When children successfully "launch," a big home can become just too big. Sometimes it means moving to a smaller Single-Family Home, sometimes a Townhouse, sometimes a condo. Regardless, reducing possessions takes special preparation. We can help. Pete Crouch is a "Senior Real Estate Specialist -- SRES" which means special training to assist all "Matures" from Baby Boomers all the way to those needing Assisted Living.

Our skills include how to think through the next phase of life, how to reduce possessions with as little stress as possible, how to talk to family, and the like.

Experienced a Recent Loss

Most experts say it's a good idea NOT to move right after a loss. Too many stresses at once. But when it is time, we can be your steward -- help at each emotional step. Staying in touch with family. Finding good counselors. Helping with donations and estate sales. Making sure the next home fits your needs. And, of course, completing the sale and move. We have many resources to assist -- we can make the connections.

Needing More Help Around the House

We sponsor At Home in Alexandria (AHA) and Mount Vernon at Home (MVAH), which are "Senior Villages." The goal is to keep folks in their homes as long as they want by arranging for a little extra help. It might be transportation, a bit of handy work, or just companionship. We believe in and support Aging in Place wholeheartedly.

There eventually comes a time, however, when it becomes necessary to move. That is where we can help. We often assist Seniors in this process -- locating the next home or Assisted Living, and then coordinating all the aspects of the move.

Family & Advisors

Family is a huge part of a Senior move. It is great if they are local, but even if not, we coordinate closely on all aspects of a move. We recently helped a client move from a hi-rise condo to Assisted Living -- while coordinating closely with daughters in California and Japan.

Advisors can play a big role as well -- legal, tax, medical, etc. If they are not in place, we can make recommendations, then coordinate closely.

As the African Proverb says, It Takes a Village.

Grandmother holding her grandchild infront of daughter.

Capital Gains Tax

It used to be that homeowners had to calculate and "roll over" profit/gain on a house to the next one they bought, and so forth until their final home. Then all those years of houses and accumulated gains came due -- with one lump sum exclusion.

Now, however, every taxpayer receives a $250,000/$500,000 per couple "exclusion from gain" on each principal residence they sell (but only one every 2 years). That means if you have lived in a home for quite a while and have seen the value go up, you have some pretty favorable tax treatment. It takes documentation --and good professional tax advice -- but it can save Downsizers and Senior movers quite a bit on taxes. We can refer you to good tax advisors as needed.