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Congrats\u2026the kids are now gone!<\/strong> Or close enough that you are thinking about the \u201cempty nest\u201d and what that means for your life, your relationships, and your future living arrangement.<\/p>

Aside from a boomerang experience or two where your adult kids may need a place to temporarily stay, the \u201cfamily home\u201d has served its purpose, and it\u2019s now time to think about the \u201cnext home.\u201d<\/p>

Because there\u2019s a lot of emotions and mixed feelings when talking about moving from the current nest to what may be your \u201clast nest\u201d or \u201cnext-to-last nest,\u201d preparing for the discussion can make for a calmer and more informative set of talks, aimed ultimately at meeting everyone\u2019s needs.<\/p>

Here\u2019s ten questions to help you personally sort through this major topic, and spark a meaningful discussion with a partner or family members:<\/p>

#1) Why do I want to make a move?<\/strong> The response to this question may seem obvious: \u201cthere\u2019s too much house for two people,\u201d \u201cI\u2019m tired of the stairs,\u201d \u201cit\u2019s time for a change,\u201d etc. But don\u2019t jump to the other questions too soon. WHY do you want to make a move? You\u2019ll likely discover a deeper want or need by spending a little time on this question. Some thoughtful reflection can help you better understand your own deeper needs so you can share your perspective with your partner or family members, and foster a better discussion on making a move.<\/p>

#2) How would I like to spend the second half of my life?<\/strong> While change is hard, this particular change comes with lots of possibilities. If you\u2019re married or in a committed relationship, both of you get to dream about the sunset of your life together. If you\u2019re on your own, the possibilities are endless. Do you want to travel? Do you want to volunteer and make a difference in the world? Maybe start a business? Perhaps live in your home part of the year, and the rest of the year somewhere else? All of this could have an impact on where and when you move. Yes, change can be hard\u2026but it can also be a whole lot of fun.<\/p>

#3) What\u2019s left on my bucket list?<\/strong> Trying to make a new place feel like your home can be a major time-suck, taking as much as a year or two (or three). And with home improvements, property changes, or room additions, it can be a drain on the finances too. What experiences do you want to have before you\u2019re too old to do them? Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro? Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef? Road trip across the \u201cLower 48\u201d? Run with the bulls in Pamplona? Depending on the time commitments and financial costs of your personal bucket list items, it may be wiser to wait on making a move (or at least the part that includes buying a new place).<\/p>

#4) Where would I like to move?<\/strong> Answering this question can be as general or specific as you want it to be. Name a neighborhood, a city, a state, or another country you\u2019d like to move to. Do you want to live in an urban area, suburbia, or a rural area? Describe a type of home you would like to live in. Make a list of all the possible options that intrigue you. This is your time to think outside the box and create a wide-range of possibilities.<\/p>

#5) What are my must-haves, wants, and needs for this next home?<\/strong> While you may not have been able to be as selective with the last home, you\u2019re likely in a position where you can be really picky with the next home. Do you want a one-story home on acreage? Do you want a condo in the middle of the city? Do you want a view of the mountains or the water? Does this next home need to be a certain size, a specific style, or have special features you\u2019ve always wanted in a home? It’s important to get down on paper what your needs, wants, and must-haves are, and The Wishlist for Your Future Home<\/a> is a time-saving way to figure it out.<\/p>

#6) What can you afford and for how long?<\/strong> It\u2019s been so fun to fantasize about the future up to this point. So, here\u2019s your first slap of realism! Can you afford the dream of your next home? And if you have the funds for it now, can you afford it long-term? This is a question that might be better answered with the help of a real estate agent (to give an accurate valuation of your current home), financial advisor (to assess your investments and portfolio), and accountant (share any tax implications). This is a great time to get outside counsel from those who can look at your entire financial picture.<\/p>

#7) How does this move affect my kids (and grandkids)?<\/strong> Do you want to be close to family? Do you want to live in a place convenient for family to travel to? Or do you want to drop in on your family on your own terms? It\u2019s ironic that you couldn\u2019t wait until your kids left the home, but they tend to reproduce these adorable critters called \u201cgrandkids\u201d that you can\u2019t wait to spend time with. This creates a real conundrum in your decision on where you want to move.<\/p>

#8) How does this move affect aging parents or family members?<\/strong> Here\u2019s another slap of reality when fantasizing about the second half of your life. A prevailing concern for lots of families is what happens to elderly parents as they get older: who cares for them, where do they live, and what happens if their health takes a downturn? This can create a physical, emotional, and financial burden on the children\u2026especially if they live a long distance away. Be sure to discuss these matters, as well as your moving plans with your parents, siblings, and other family members.<\/p>

#9) Does a move need to be made at all?<\/strong> After considering all the factors \u2013 figuring out what you\u2019d make on your current home, prioritizing your needs and the needs of other family members, evaluating the items on your bucket list, assessing your finances, and listing out the pros and cons of making a move–the best decision for you, your future plans, and your family might be to remain in the home a while longer.<\/p>

#10) What home improvements need to be made?<\/strong> Staying in your current home may be a better overall decision, but improving the home may be the best decision. Changing the flooring, updating the kitchen counters and appliances, painting the inside and outside of the home, and modernizing the master bathroom not only helps to emotionally and mentally embrace remaining in the home, it can help add value to the home when the time finally comes to sell it. Make a list of what you want and need to update and change in the home, prioritize it, and then tackle it on your own or with professionals.<\/p>

The nest you raised kids in has served its purpose. The goal for your next living arrangement has a different purpose\u2014to meet the needs for your life, your relationships, and your future. Wherever the new nest ends up being located at, whatever it ends up looking like, however it ends up coming about, and whenever it ends up happening is up to you. So, take the time<\/strong> to think through these questions so you can love where you live.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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