Moving to a senior living community is a significant decision—one that comes with exciting and challenging changes. Before you start enjoying the benefits that come with life in a senior living community, there’s one major detail to take care of: selling your house.
Whether you’ve lived there for a few years or decades, selling a house can be an emotional experience, and it may even feel overwhelming. The good news? You’re not alone. With the right planning, expert help, and knowledge of what to expect, the process can go smoothly.
Let’s walk together through practical steps to sell your house with confidence and prepare for moving to a senior living community.
In this guide, we'll discuss:
- Determining A Move-In Timeline
- Enlisting the Experts
- Rightsizing
- Talking About Moving-Related Emotions
- Timing Your House Sale
- Embracing Senior Living
- Moving to a Senior Living Community
1. Determine your general move-in timeline.
Before choosing a date to put your house on the market, sit down with a calendar and consider various factors that impact your ideal moving timeline. Are there health needs, upcoming life events (such as birthdays or anniversaries), or even seasons that should be taken into account? After all, nobody enjoys moving during a snowstorm! If any significant people in your life—adult children, close friends, and trusted advisors—will be helping with the move, talk through your plans with them to make sure everyone is on the same page.
Next, work with your senior living community to understand which move-in dates are available. From there, you can map out a general timeline that’s realistic. Creating a clear, flexible plan with achievable steps along the way can make the transition feel manageable.
2. Enlist the experts.
Selling your house isn’t a solo project. Expert help is essential for paving a smooth path for the journey, from prepping and staging your home to moving into your new senior living apartment.
Contact a real estate agent.
Even if you aren’t ready to put your current house on the market right away, it’s never too early to begin looking for experienced real estate agents in your area. The right professional can help you navigate the fluctuating real estate market, give you tips for staging the house for sale, and even recommend a timeline that keeps you and your family members on track as you look to your future move.
Working with the right person is a must. You’ll want to find an agent in your area who excels at customer service and is there to help you throughout the entire selling process, including before the house goes on the market. Connect with your senior living community for referrals, and look for a real estate agent who has the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) designation. These qualified individuals are experts at meeting the needs of mature adults who are selling their homes.
Work with your financial planner.
Before putting your house on the market, schedule an appointment with your financial planner. If you don’t already have one, consider finding a qualified, certified advisor who will help you understand the short- and long-term financial picture ahead. This is also a perfect opportunity to discuss tax questions about senior living expenses and selling your home.
3. Begin rightsizing.
Before your home can hit the market, it is wise to spend time “rightsizing” your possessions. Although you might have heard the term “downsizing” before when it comes to moving or organizing, older adults often end up with a much more manageable life when they choose to reduce some of their clutter and possessions, making the term “rightsizing” more appropriate.
Removing extra clutter creates a safer environment that can help preserve your long-term independence. It also simplifies the house staging process during your sale.
Look for expert organizing help.
If rightsizing seems too overwhelming to tackle, you can choose to invest in the assistance of a professional organizer. These experts help with the actual task of rightsizing or simply come in for an evaluation and provide you with a checklist-style plan and an extra set of hands that keep you on task.
For an even more specialized experience, reach out to a senior move manager—someone specially trained to assist with sorting belongings, packing, coordinating movers, and setting up your new apartment. They understand the emotional and logistical challenges of downsizing and offer compassionate, practical support. Work closely with the senior living community; they can point you in the direction of vetted professionals to assist with the process.
Take it slow and steady.
If you are taking on the task of rightsizing on your own, it’s important to remember to tackle one room at a time, determining the following:
- What items you’ll take when moving to a senior living community
- What items can be donated or sold
- What items other family members should take
If possible, be sure to allow extra time in the packing and decision-making process for breaks when you become overwhelmed. Things will look more manageable with a fresh set of eyes the next day or the next weekend.
4. Talk about emotions related to the move.
Selling your house and moving is more than just a physical move—it’s also an emotional journey. Even if you’re excited about new social opportunities and better access to care options at a senior living community, you’ll naturally feel a mix of emotions during this transition.
Acknowledging your emotions is an essential part of the process. Instead of ignoring negative thoughts and feelings, work through them. Talking about it can alleviate stress or anxiety, so turn to trusted sources of advice and comfort during this time. If you need additional support, consider scheduling regular counseling appointments with a professional who is experienced with major life transitions. They can teach you strategies for coping with change and help you process your feelings.
Preparing emotionally for the move also means knowing what to expect. Communicate regularly with your new community about what the first days and weeks will look like. Work with the community to get answers to questions that pop up as moving day approaches. Ask about orientation events, social opportunities, and team member availability to help you settle in. Knowing what to expect during move-in and beyond can help you envision a positive start to life in your new community.
5. Put your house on the market at the right time.
You might not have to put your home on the market right away. In this case, you can wait until the real estate market is working in your favor. Choosing the right time can help you earn up to 1.6 percent extra from the sale, and according to Zillow, May is the best month to sell.
Your real estate agent will advise you when your specific location’s market is seller-friendly and help you find someone who can fix any last-minute projects that could decrease your sale value. For example, hiring someone to clean up your outdoor landscaping can be well worth the investment because it boosts your home’s curb appeal and can lead to more offers.
The timing of your sale and move may not align perfectly. In this case, talk with your realtor about options such as a rent-back or bridge housing to ease the transition from your previous home to your new senior living apartment.
6. Embrace the senior living life.
Another way to create a smooth journey during your upcoming move is to schedule times to visit your new community prior to move-in day. You can enjoy a meal in the dining room or attend community events as many times as you would like leading up to your move. Use these opportunities to meet new friends, find your way around the major areas of the community, and gain confidence before you’re officially a resident.
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Learn more about moving to a senior living community.
Selling your home and moving to a senior living community can feel overwhelming, but with the right support, clear planning, and a focus on the benefits ahead, it can be an empowering transition. Start early, stay organized, and lean on the resources designed to make your move easier.
For even more information about moving to a senior living community, check out our guide, Moving to Senior Living: Everything You Need to Know for a Successful Move.
This post was originally published in June 2023 and updated in May 2025.
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