When we think of yoga, most of us think of young people holding impossible poses. But the reality is that yoga can be beneficial for anyone, especially seniors! Here are just a few of the benefits of yoga for older people:
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• Improves flexibility and strength which helps prevent injuries and falling.
• Helps seniors live more independent lives longer
• Gives tools for dealing with emotional stress
• Classes can help provide social connection with both other seniors, as well as younger people too 

​But don't believe me? Here is some inspiration for you - a 98 year old yoga teacher! 

It is always important to start slow and within your limits and grow from there to avoid injury, but this is especially true of a senior citizen. If this is your first time doing yoga as an older adult, then take it easy and be patient with yourself. 

One of the things that is nice about yoga is that it takes very little equipment. You will want to invest in a thicker pad to cushion joints, and also some yoga blocks to help you as you gradually build up your flexibility. 

Find a friend to do it with you! It can be another senior, or someone younger. Yoga may be a great way to bond with your grandchildren or younger friends as you can share something in common. Having someone else on board can help make sure you stick with it over the long term

Can't find anyone who wants to do yoga with you? Or are you looking for an instructor to teach you the ropes? Taking a yoga class can teach you the correct form for your yoga poses, and make it more fun as you meet new people.

If you are in the Grand Rapids are, The Studio has classes designed especially for seniors, including chair classes so you don't have to worry about getting up and down from the floor. 

Ready to get starter? Are you a senior who loves yoga? What else do you do to stay fit and active? 

Not only have prices rebounded from the recession, they are actually higher than they were on average before 2008. Part of this is a result of low inventory - meaning not as many houses as there are buyers. That means that you will be able to get a great price - maybe even above your asking price. 

If you have been waiting to sell your house because the idea of new paint and carpet and everything else is intimidating, then now is a great time to sell for you as well. 

Because there are not as many houses as buyers, they may be more willing to overlook the smaller cosmetic things to get a great house in  the location they are looking for. While normally this would mean a much lower selling price, right now you can get a good price as well as a more turn key sale. 

Make sure your Realtor understands the market and is able and willing to negotiate for you in order to get you the best deal with the least hassle. 

The only downside to this amazing market is that if you are looking to buy again in the local area, you will be faced with the same challenges that the buyers of your house are - few available houses at premium prices. 

However, if you are planning to rent for a while, or indefinitely, or move into a retirement community this puts you at a big advantage. You will be able to make the most of the buyers market since you don't have to make your sale contingent on you finding another home. 

Also, you will be at an advantage if you are moving to Florida, or somewhere else where the market is more favorable to buyers. 

If you are ready to make your move, then give our team a call. I am a certified Senior Specialist, so am specially trained to help you through the process of selling your home. 

If you are helping your parents, grandparents, or other senior in your life with a move, you may be forgetting some important things. As a senior real estate specialist, I work with families every day to walk through the challenging process of moving. Often that means downsizing, and possibly leaving a family home in which they have lived for years. Any good realtor will be able to help with the basics of buying and selling, but if you are a senior (or love someone who is), there are special considerations that need to be made. Here are four of the biggest mistakes I see people make. 

Seniors are not always excited about downsizing. Rushing through this process, or not listening to their thoughts and feelings will only make it more difficult. In order for the transition to go smoothly, you need to: 

• Acknowledge their thoughts and feelings
• Take the time to really listen
• Find solutions to the things they are worried about, such as being lonely, or not being able to find space for treasured possessions 

The bottom line is to care for the whole person, not just the house itself. Remember that they may see this as a loss, and may have already lost a lot of other things that are important to them. Try to put yourself in their shoes, and it may help you have more patience. 

Another common mistake is to hire the first friend or family member that says they are a Realtor. Maybe their nephew just got their license and wants to sell the family home. While this can seem like a nice thing to do, and a way to save time finding an agent, it can be a costly mistake. It takes experience to understand how to stage, price, and sell a home in order to get the best deal for the seller. There can be important tax and investing implications for the transition to the new home. A retiree doesn't have the time to gain back losses through more work, or to watch investments grow to make up for downturns. This is the period of life when every little bit matters. 

Because of that, it is essential that you hire a real estate agent who is experienced in the location your house is located and where you want to move. Ideally, you will also find someone who specializes in senior planning, as they will bring unique access to resources that other agents will not have the connections for. 

Finding a new place to live is great, but only if the whole lifestyle is also a good fit. It is amazing to me how many people only look at the inside of the house, without considering accessibility to other things that the senior will need, future adaptability of the space to new physical and/or mental limitations that will develop over time, and how close it is to friends and family for visits. 

These factors are the things that turn a house into a home and will help the senior have a smoother transition. The thing that is only a minor annoyance during the house hunt can turn into a daily struggle down the line. 

Ask your real estate agent to spot things that you may be missing, to tell you about planned real estate development that may change the current neighborhood, and any other tips they can offer from their years in the area. 

If you are looking for a senior real estate specialist with many years in the business, then contact me, and I am happy to give you a free consultation and talk about your needs.