Thursday, April 30, 2015

Things to do in Arlington This Weekend–May 1-3

Looking for something fun to do in Arlington this weekend?  Here are some ideas:

What: Quilter’s Guild of Arlington Festival of Quilts
Where: Bob Duncan Center, 2800 S. Center Arlington, TX 76014
When:  Friday, May 1, 2015; 10am – 5pm
Cost: $8 cash only, free parking
Info:  www.qgoa.org
Quilters' Guild of Arlington presents the 2015 Festival of Quilts - "Joyful Reflections."  200 judged fabric art and quilt entries; a miniature quilt silent auction, benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure; an AQS certified quilt appraiser; Scissor Guy will be available for scissors & knife sharpening; Vendors; "Friendship Garden" Donation Quilt will be on display and tickets will be available for purchase (a portion of the ticket proceeds will benefit Safe Haven).


What:  Texas History Day
Where:  Six Flags; 2201 Rd to Six Flags Arlington, TX 76011
When: Friday, May 1, 2015; 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Cost: Special rates are available and groups that order in advance will receive one free chaperone ticket for every 20 tickets purchased
Info: www.sixflags.com
Visit with characters straight out of Texas history. Performers provide a unique first-person perspective of life on the Texas frontier so you can truly grasp the essence of Texas' rich history. Learn about the park's history and how Six Flags Over Texas was developed. Special rates are available and groups that order in advance will receive one free chaperone ticket for every 20 tickets purchased!


What:  Urinetown: The Musical
Where: Theatre Arlington, 305 West Main Street Arlington, TX 76010
When:  Sundays, Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays from May 1 thru May 24
Cost: $17.50 – $22
Info: Theatre Arlington
In an attempt to regulate water consumption, Urinetown (a mythical bad place) has outlawed the use of private toilets.  By Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis.


What:  Texas Rangers vs Oakland Athletics
Where: Globe Life Park
When:  May 1 – 3 (7:05 Fri & Sat; 2:05 Sun)
Cost: $13 – $50
Info: Texas Rangers
Cheer on the home team as they take on the Oakland A’s in a three game series this weekend.


What:  Cowboys Carnival
Where: AT&T Stadium
When:  May 2 11:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost: Free admission and free parking
Info: Dallas Cowboys
Appearances by Dallas Cowboys players and Cheerleaders. Photo opportunities, autographs, carnival rides and games, live music and more. Miller Lite West Plaza.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

5 Reasons More Older Adults are Choosing to Rent

According to a recent study, baby boomers (the generation born between 1945 and the early 1960s) now account for about 29% of renters.  Let’s look at 5 reasons more older adults are choosing to rent vs. own their home:

1.  Convenience.  After years of homeownership, one of the biggest perks of renting is that the maintenance is no longer their responsibility.  If the air conditioner isn’t working or the sink is clogged, they can simply call the landlord.  This can be a huge relief for older adults. 

2.  Savings.  A large home can be a great expense.  Mortgage payments, property taxes, upkeep and utilities can take a toll on finances.  A smaller place with less maintenance can mean big savings for those looking to make their retirement dollars last as long as possible

3.  Less wasted space.  As empty-nesters, there is no need to have all of the extra rooms to clean and maintain (or heat and cool).  Downsizing is the answer for many seniors.  There are options to fit any lifestyle - smaller houses, apartments or independent senior living communities. 

4.  Flexibility.  There are no long-term commitments, which is nice for those who aren’t quite sure where they want to settle or who may need to make a change in the future for health reasons. 

5. The sale is done.  Selling a home can be very stressful, and even more so when there are health or other issues at play and decisions have to be made for you.  By selling while healthy, older adults avoid the extra stress on themselves and their families.

If you’re interested in finding out more about downsizing, download our free guide, “5 Easy Steps to a Successful Move” or give us a call at (817) 330-9235 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation.

 

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Monday, April 6, 2015

Late-in-Life Moves Present Challenges to Seniors and Their Families

Senior Downsizing Experts Offer Solutions for a Smooth Transition

As senior adults and their families begin to face the challenges of “downsizing" -- a move for the elder from a larger family home into a smaller home, apartment, or senior living community -- they can feel overwhelmed. Many don't know where to start or what their options are.

To help Dallas/Fort Worth seniors and their families to better deal with the complexities involved in late-life moves, Senior Downsizing Experts Ingrid and John Sullivan have put together a casual and interactive workshop entitled “Downsizing Made Easy." The next free events are as follows:

April 9 at Brookdale Arlington (formerly Town Village) from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

April 18 at the Lake Arlington Branch of the Arlington Public Library from 10:30 am to noon

April 22 at Atria at Hometown in North Richland Hills from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm

During their hour-and-a-half presentation, the Sullivans discuss questions to consider before making a move, senior living options in the DFW area, questions for touring senior living communities, tips for hiring various professionals related to the moving process, guidance on estate sales, and more. They urge attendees to look at all of the options available for a new chapter of life that requires less maintenance and allows for more freedom and fun.

"In many cases home ownership proves to be a financial burden and a source of isolation for seniors. While remaining in the home may have been a goal earlier in life, by the time home ownership starts to feel unmanageable, the prospect of evaluating other options and actually moving, can be completely overwhelming," says Ingrid. “As a DFW Realtor specializing in the 55+ real estate market, it is my goal to insure that older adults and their families are adequately equipped and aware of all the senior living options and resources available to them. This part of my job is a great joy. Seniors and their families often don't know which way to turn when making these important decisions and we are happy to be here to help."

For more information, or to register for one of the free seminars, please visit www.seniordownsizingexperts.com or call 817-635-1043.

About The Sullivans:

The Sullivan & Sullivan Team of Keller Williams Arlington have made it their mission to help older adults navigate the obstacles they face as they begin thinking about downsizing and selling their home. The Sullivans have completed extensive training and are both certified Senior Real Estate Specialist® by the National Association of Realtors. Ingrid has also achieved the more in-depth Certified Senior Housing Professional (CSHP®) designation through the Seniors Real Estate Institute. The Sullivans have managed late-in-life moves for hundreds of clients - including their own parents - and are aware of how emotional and complicated the process can be. Their message to seniors and their families: "You Are Not Alone."