Read from one of our recent happy clients about her journey, leaving a large 7,000 sq ft home that served her so well for many years, into the new cozy, comfortable cottage, she now calls home.

Widowed and 80, I could no longer postpone the inevitable and the seemingly impossible. The time had come to face squarely what had been haunting me night and day since my husband’s death in 2009. My “mission impossible” was dealing with all the “stuff” lurking in the attic, basement, garages, closets, and drawers of my very large
house. It was May, 2021, and Covid was in full swing.

Where to start! I read the Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, wanting to remain true to my roots and remembering how my Swedish grandmother practiced the art so well. I also read Marie Kondo’s, the life-magic of tidying up. Both were helpful and inspiring, but then I had to incorporate and proceed with a long held mantra when overwhelmed and paralyzed, “Just do the next thing.” And so I began. By August, with the help of my two daughters who rotated visits dutifully and cheerfully as well as a Senior Moving Co., I said a grateful good bye to a wonderful home that had served me and my family extremely well for over 16 years. Before I closed the door for the last time I remembered and honored Marie Kondo’s suggestion of bowing in gratitude, thanking the house for countless happy times…for providing space to host visiting adult children and their families and then to welcome five grandchildren who came to live with me for extended periods during and after college. My home had been like a revolving hotel door accommodating more visitors than I could count.

I had always hoped to be able to live near my children in my later years. My mother age 83, moved five states south to be me near me after my father died. She said, “I am coming to you so you don’t have to come to me.” It was the greatest gift she could have given me. I appreciate it now even more since I “have come of age” and have done the same. However, it is one thing to leave a home and another to find the right next one.

I knew I needed professional assistance finding the best possible residence…someone who knew and understood the senior adult housing market and knew thoroughly the community where I would be living. I wanted to age in place and never move again. Trusting the recommendation of a friend, I engaged Chason Wachter of Cottage Properties and Wachter & Co., Construction. He is a life-long resident of the area, a custom builder, and enjoys a sterling reputation among his peers. Chason suggested I look at a home he recently built. I knew immediately, I’d found an ideal home for me…one level, 1,200 sq ft., small yard, low maintenance, Gold certified, and in a most convenient location. Nothing confirmed my choice more than knowing the building inspector said, “You will never find a better built house than this one.” Thank you Chason, Wachter & Co. and Cottage Properties. Mission Impossible, accomplished!