Pacific Sotheby's International Realty: August 2017

Monday, August 14, 2017

Assisted Living Down Payment Assistance

(Quote) Money is not the only answer, but it makes a difference.

The cost of Assisted Living Facilities nationwide can vary from $2,000 - $5,000 per month. Sometimes people have a false sense of security about what their insurance will pay. It’s important to know right up front that Medicare will not pay for assisted living. But, don’t give up all hope yet. There are a few other things you should investigate first.

Have you ever heard: “You need to know what you need to know before you can ask questions”? Unfortunately, this is the case more times than not. You are often at the mercy of the person on the other end of the phone or other side of the desk. Depending on how they feel that day, how eager they are to get home, or how devoted they are to helping people often makes a difference in the information they share with you. There have been times when I have felt that people “blow me off” instead of helping me with my needs. Keep this in mind when you get short answers. Don’t let them off the hook so easy. Ask questions to see if there is any way you could qualify. This is important to you. Make sure you get all your questions answered.

Some senior living communities offer a “financial concierge service” that can help guide you through the process of qualifying for benefits. Another helpful option is a “geriatric planner”. These people can save you a lot of time. They will have a wealth of knowledge and cut down the amount of time it takes to find out what your options are. However, if you cannot afford or cannot find a geriatric planner, with a little determination and perseverance you can achieve the same results. Here are the most common ways people pay for Assisted Living.

It is important to explore all of your options and come up with the best fit for your situation and circumstances. As a Real Estate Professional, I help people with the option to sell their homes so they can afford to pay for the assisted living. Most assisted living communities will require a down payment to hold their space until the home is sold. Often times the money is tied up in the equity of the home and it will take at minimum 30-50 days plus to close. We have programs and options available in these types of situations such as bridge loans as an example to help secure your position at the new assisted living community. In addition, we will plan and hold an estate sale, pack up remaining items, clean up and help with the transition.

If you or a loved one could benefit from our services please contact us today for a free consultation and receive a complimentary gift basket from Carlsbad Gourmet!!

All my very best

Cari Ann Drolet- Real Estate Professional

Pacific Sotheby's International Realty

5825 Avenida Encinias, Suite 101

Carlsbad, CA 92008

Phone: 858-444-5586

Email: Cari.Drolet@SothebysRealty.com

Website: www.YourCarlsbadRealtor.com

Monday, August 7, 2017

Love...Community and Real Estate...

(Quote) “When we live our lives in isolation what we have is unavailable and what we lack is Unprocurable.”

Normally I write about Real Estate related topics and you will hear some real estate talk at the end however; today I feel like sharing a personal experience I went through recently that has reminded me of what my goals are, what is important to me, why I do what it is I do that will eventually lead me to my purpose in life. Something we are all searching for in our lives.

I have always been an introvert by nature. I enjoy spending time alone to a point that I would isolate myself from my friends and family. All that changed last year when my niece” Taylor Mary Tibbles” asked me to take care of her while she battled with Cystic Fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis is a terminal illness that attacks the lungs and immune system. UCSD has a great lung transplant and CF team. The goal was to get her a lung transplant and save her life.

For 4 months, her and I both spent that time fighting for her life. She lost her fight and passed away on 9/11/2016. That experienced changed my life. From the way I feel about myself, how I perceive the world and others and how I want to show up in all aspects in my life.

She allowed me to give her all the love and support I had inside of me that I was unable to share with anyone else, something I never really knew I had the capability of doing. And She taught me what unconditional love really was.

I remember one day as I was helping her into the bath tub. She was sitting on the toilet seat trying to catch her breath. I could see that her health was declining further. I looked at her and I said, “I am so sorry Taylor” I feel so powerless. She looked in my eyes and said no matter what happens Aunt Cari “You saved me’. In the end though we were there for each other, what I know and what I am real clear on is that my precious girl was the one who saved me.

Taylor has inspired me in many ways. One of my long- term goals is to open a non-medical home care business for people just like Taylor Mary and the elderly because nothing, absolutely nothing feels better than getting out of your own head and your own way and being there for someone else.

No matter who we are, how old we are, what our circumstances maybe we all have special and unique stories and qualities that others can benefit from. You never know what your experiences, strength and courage can do for another. For the time being I am a Real Estate Professional and I will be using real estate to fund my non- medical home care business. My goal is to be open and there for people that really need some compassion and empathy which sometimes can be hard to come by in the real estate industry.

I have chosen to work with families who have loved ones with special needs such as the elderly who need to sell their home to move into an assisted living community or a long- term care facility to get the care they need. I understand this is a stressful and emotional experience for the family and the individual moving so I want to offer the following services to help you through the process:

1. We will sell the home to free up money for the down payment

2. Plan and hold an estate sale

3. Cleaning services

4. Packing up remaining items

5. Help with the transition.

If You are a friend or family member responsible for a loved one that could benefit from my services please call today to set up a free consultation.

I look forward to hearing from you.

All my very best

Cari Ann Drolet

Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty

5825 Avenida Encinas, Suite 101