Being put on a waitlist may feel like a letdown. But if you use your time wisely, you can make the most of your waiting. You can do a lot of things while preparing to move into senior living housing in Pinellas County, FL. From downsizing and saving money to researching tax breaks, here’s a list of things to help you be productive.
Start Downsizing Early
Moving into a new home is an overwhelming task. It pays to begin the process early so you don’t feel swamped, doing everything at once. You cannot bring all your things to your next house. So, start decluttering. Take a good look around your space to determine which items can be kept, given away, sold, or junked. You may also begin putting stuff in boxes. This will help you move in faster after receiving an offer from a community.
Save More Money
You probably have secured sufficient funds before looking for senior living housing. But there’s no harm in earning more money as you wait for your new home to be available. You can continue working or look for passive income. An additional financial resource will be an excellent help in achieving your dream retirement life.
Understand Tax Breaks
Moving into an assisted living community can get you a tax break. Eligible individuals may get this benefit when they pay entrance fees and monthly service fees. Some residents can also reduce the cost of their health insurance premiums, prescription drugs, doctor fees, and other medical expenses. Know how you can benefit from tax breaks by asking your tax adviser and doing in-depth research.
Sell Your Assets
Aside from downsizing, there are a lot of things you have to do to smoothly transition to a retirement community. This is especially true if you want to sell your old house, which usually takes months to a year. You need to meet with a real estate agent, meet potential buyers, negotiate the price, and the list goes on. The process is also lengthy when selling other assets. Doing this early can pay off later.
Attend Community Events
One of the perks of joining the waitlist is getting invited to exclusive community events. It is highly recommended to attend those gatherings so you can get a glimpse of life inside a senior living community. Take this opportunity to socialize with other people on the waitlist or with residents. Get to know the community better by exploring the campus and learning more about their senior living programs.
Explore the Campus and Surrounding Area
Drive around the neighborhood to explore what it offers. Are there parks and recreational areas near the community? Where are the shops, restaurants, and movie theaters? You don’t have to wait until you have settled into the community before you tour the local area. You can do it now.
Being on a waitlist gives you more time to make an informed decision. Another thing that you can do while waiting is continue shopping around for a suitable senior living community. You have no obligation to say yes to an offer, after all. You can always decline an offer if you have found a better option.
