Thinking about moving out of Georgia? Whether you’re relocating to be closer to family, downsizing to a smaller home, or looking for a 55+ community that better fits your lifestyle, one important question is: How do I find a good real estate agent in another state?

It’s a great question. After all, you’re not just hiring someone to handle paperwork. You’re trusting them with a huge financial and emotional transition. You want someone who truly understands your needs, not just someone who happens to pop up in a Google search.

That’s where I come in.

Because I’ve been in corporate America, I learned a lot about behavioral interviewing, asking questions that help reveal how people actually handle challenges. When I screen agents in other states for my clients, I don’t just pick the first person who answers the phone. I ask questions like:

“Tell me about a time you helped someone buy from out of state. What were some of the challenges, and how did you handle them?”

The idea is simple:...

By: Kelly Vandever

One huge challenge in making a move, especially for those of us who’ve been alive more than 50 years, is what to do with all your stuff.   

Over several posts, I’ll be sharing some rules of thumb that I’ve learned. 

Rule of Thumb #2 for Getting Rid of Things  

Rule of Thumb #2 for getting rid of things is to decide what you would want to move if you had to move into a small, assisted living apartment. 

YES!  THAT SOUNDS EXTREME! 

Maybe you won’t ever need assisted living.  We all hope and pray not.   

But if you do or if you’re like me and you have a parent with cognitive or physical issues, asking the question, “What would I want if I had to move into a tiny, assisted living apartment?” will help you get down to the nitty gritty, bare bones of the matter, and forces us to get very focused and very specific. 

Kelly’s List of What to Pack for Her Dad 

In case you’re curious, below is the list that I created when preparing to move my...