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Aging in Community Offers a Comfortable and Independent Option for Seniors...

10/30/2018

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If you know me, you know I love my seniors!  From my guest appearances at local senior center book discussions to the amount of time I spend visiting a long term care facility, I've been called an "honorary senior" more than once.  So I am very happy to have partnered with Hazel Bridges of www.agingwellness.org who will help me share some real estate information specifically for seniors... 
I'm proud to welcome back guest blogger, Hazel Bridges!  
For more from Hazel, please check out www.agingwellness.org
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Aging in Community Offers a Comfortable and Independent Option for Seniors
By Hazel Bridges
 
Most of us want to remain at home as we grow older.  With that in mind, many seniors are looking at aging in community.  It’s a smart option to ensure you receive the support you need while remaining independent.  Here’s how it works.
 
What is “aging in community?”  Aging in community describes a number of innovative ways for seniors to remain in their own homes as they grow older, in spite of the toll age may take on their bodies and minds.  There are several versions of aging in community to consider:
  • Home sharing.  Home sharing is just like it sounds.  Seniors come together as roommates to share housing arrangements, living expenses, home maintenance and to support one another.
  • Intentional communities.  These are planned residential neighborhoods, which often share social activities, interests and values.
  • Senior villages.  In this case, seniors stay in their own homes and pay a fee for staff and volunteers to provide assistance such as transportation, grocery shopping and tech support.
  • Naturally occurring retirement communities.  These neighborhoods, apartment complexes and other communities evolve as younger people move out and older people move in.  Organizations step in to provide services to the senior population.
  • Family-Owned Accessory Dwelling Units.  Also commonly termed “granny flats,” these are basically apartments attached to or on the grounds of a single-family home.  Usually a family member or other caregiver helps the senior or seniors.
 
Safe environment.  Wherever you decide to live, your living environment can greatly impact your ability to age in place safely.  Sometimes simple home modifications can greatly enhance independence and safety, such as improved lighting, eliminating trip hazards and lowering the temperature on the water heater.  Installing lever-style door knobs and faucet handles throughout the home improves access if dexterity or mobility wanes.  
 
Bathrooms are notorious for slips and falls with the combination of slick surfaces, soap and water and people shifting position while using them.  The New York Times reports the risk for a bathroom-related injury rises as we grow older, so improvements to the space should be a priority.  Some of the modifications you can make are quite simple, such as installing a taller toilet, adding traction strips to the floor and installing grab bars and rails so you can catch yourself if you lose your balance.  
 
Funds and resources.  While many seniors choose to change their living arrangements for socializing, to support one another, and for an easier lifestyle, many seniors choose to make changes for financial reasons.  If you need to modify a living environment for aging in place, you have several resources to help finance the endeavor:  
 
Your local Area Agency on Aging can sometimes provide grants and other assistance for home modifications and repairs.  
 
Veterans can usually receive assistance through the Veterans Administration for making home adaptations to help them remain independent. 
 
Some seniors pursue a reverse mortgage, which is a good option under certain circumstances.  There are several kinds of reverse mortgages and you should do some research to make sure it’s an appropriate choice for you.  
 
Medicaid offers a program called Money Follows the Person, which is designed to allow seniors to move from nursing homes or assisted living facilities back into a residence.  This could be their own home or a shared space with other seniors or family members.  
 
Also keep in mind that most home modifications relating to an aging-related disability are tax deductible.  In addition, home modifications that increase the value of your home are also tax deductible and some improvements could qualify as medical expenses.  You should discuss your particular situation with your financial advisor.
 
Aging in community is a smart choice for many seniors.  There are several options available and there is no one right answer. Thankfully, you do have choices and can remain independent and safe throughout your golden years.  
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For Sale! 134 Wakefield Circle East Hartford, CT 06118...

10/29/2018

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134 Wakefield Circle
East Hartford, CT 06118
2 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms
​$85,000.00
Move right in to this updated townhouse! Lots of upgrades throughout including kitchen with granite counter tops, newer appliances and breakfast bar. Professionally installed high quality laminate flooring throughout and both bathrooms have been remodeled. The open living and dining area is spacious and bright with sliders that lead out to a private outdoor patio space. Berkely Condominiums are a lovely and quiet complex tucked behind a residential neighborhood in a very convenient location off of Forbes St. close to shopping and Rentschler Field with easy access to I-84. Pets are allowed with some restrictions. Condo fee covers heat, hot water, snow removal, trash removal and grounds and property maintenance. Don't miss your chance to own for less than you can rent!
For questions or showing appointments, contact me today! 
Call or text: 860-978-5388
​jessica@jessicamartinrealty.com
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9 Hillyer Dr. Enfield, CT 06082

10/26/2018

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Meet Danielle!  Another super young, super smart woman who was savvy enough to know that it would be silly to pay rent and therefor someone else's mortgage when she could be paying her own.  Danielle is a high school teacher and was looking for a starter home big enough for her and a roommate that was close enough to work for an easy commute.  We looked at a handful of houses, from fixer uppers with big problems to move-in ready updated houses and she was able to easily define her preferences which helped narrow her search quickly.  Next thing we knew... she was under contract and getting ready to close on her first home at the amazing age of 24!  I'm so proud to have been a part of Danielle's home buying journey and I wish more humans followed her path at her age.  She is already building her wealth and living a life free of landlords!  
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9 Hillyer Dr
Enfield, CT 06082
3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
$138,000.00
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Price Adjusted! 4 Meadowbrook Ln. Wolcott, CT 06716

10/25/2018

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4 Meadowbrook Ln.
Wolcott, CT 06716
4+ bedrooms
3 full bathrooms
​WAS $269,900.00
NOW $249,900.00

Located on a dead end street, this oversized. raised ranch is not to be missed! The yard is nicely landscaped and lightly wooded. The open floor plan living area at the heart of the house is spacious and the kitchen has been updated to offer plenty of counter space and a breakfast bar. Sliders off of the kitchen lead to a three season room and 2000 square foot deck that is perfect for entertaining. The master bedroom has a walk-in his/hers closet and french doors that open onto the back deck. The master bathroom has an air tub for two and shower stall with double heads. On this side of the house you also have bedroom 2. On the other side of the house you have a dining room, bedrooms 3 and 4 and a full bathroom. This bathroom can also be accessed from outside the house on the deck! Easy access when entertaining outdoors. The finished lower level has a family room, laundry room, possible 5th bedroom, office and full bathroom with stall shower. Two car garage with large driveway. Geothermal heating & cooling. Outdoors you can enjoy the deck, above ground pool and yard.
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For questions or showing appointments, contact me today! 
Call or text: 860-978-5388
​jessica@jessicamartinrealty.com
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Adventures in Real Estate, Article 001: Creepy Basement Baby

10/23/2018

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Work in real estate long enough and you'll have some tales to tell.  I think it's time I share some of mine.  Names and addresses withheld to protect the innocent.  
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I recently toured a fabulous old farmhouse built in 1900.  The house was in great shape for it's age but one of my clients still had some concern about the house's "creep" factor.  I didn't see anything creepy about the house at all... until we checked out the basement.  The doll above was standing, as pictured, on a stack of boards against one of the stone basement walls.  How do you spell creepy, folks?  For me today it's D-O-L-L.  
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Oops I Did it Again...

10/18/2018

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After making top agent for the 2nd quarter, I decided a repeat in Q3 couldn't be a bad thing!  Big thanks always to my EXIT Above and Beyond family for all the support and to my clients for their trust in me.  I love my work!  
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365 Scantic Rd.  East Windsor, CT 06088

10/15/2018

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365 Scantic Rd
​East Windsor, CT 06088
2 bedroom, 1.5 bathroom
​$1100.00 per month
What a cute rental house for my client and her daughter!  With just two bedrooms, it's no more space than they need and it's a single family home in a great location with a huge yard for their dog!  
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The Martins Visit The Mouse...

10/9/2018

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The alternate title for this post is "The World's Greatest Birthday!".  We recently visited friends in Florida and my birthday happened to pass while we were down there.  I'm not sure there is a better place to celebrate than the official most magical place on earth, ladies and gentleman, I'm talking about Walt Disney World.  At Disney, they will give you a button to let everyone else know what you might be celebrating while you visit.  Wearing a birthday button alerts staff and other visitors alike of your big day and you can count on folks shouting "Happy Birthday!" at you everywhere you go.  Some of my favorite encounters were ones when the well-wisher was also wearing a birthday button so when they shouted, "Happy Birthday, Jessica!" as I passed, I could shout it right back at them.  Also, a lot of cast members will simply say, "Happy Birthday, princess!" and who doesn't like that?  

I knew Disney was fun, but I didn't know HOW MUCH fun four childless adults could have there.  Here are the highlights in pictures... 
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My birthday button and our host with the most, Florida Frank.
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I may have been celebrating my birthday, but Sean and Frank were celebrating Sean's first visit.
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I immediately joined Mickey's crew and got "stitched in" to make it official.
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Sean found some hats that he liked too.
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Family photo at Hollywood Studios.
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We dragged Sean on some rides he maybe didn't like... #vodka #towerofterror
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We rode a speeder bike on the forest moon of Endor.
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We visited Epcot during the food and wine festival. Delicious.
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We built a racecar and drove it on the test track.
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We went to Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween party.
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Where Frank and Krystina killed it as half of Devo and danced the night away with Mike Wazowski.
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We fired at anything that moved on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. (I did not win despite that look of extreme concentration.)
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We rode Space Mountain in complete darkness. (It's like that for the Halloween party only.)
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Splash Mountain... Sean maybe didn't like this one either.
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Cinderella's castle at midnight.
Yes, I wore the ears the whole time.  It was part of my initiation to Mickey's crew.  

To say we had a magical time would be an understatement!  Thanks to Big Urse, Lil' Merm and Lil' Gator Face for the best birthday a princess could dream of.  Did I mention there were also chicken wings, nature preserves, KISS, original Nintendo and a waterslide that ended by spitting me out of a clown's mouth and into the pool?  Happy Birthday to me!  

Disney World, we'll be back sooner than you'd like!  Has anyone else visited as a full grown adult without children?  Tell me about it! 
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Congratulations to me! (or Why I love EXIT Realty)....

10/6/2018

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​I was very excited to find flowers and balloons on my desk at the office the other day.  What's the special occasion?  Just some congratulations from my brokers for me hitting my real estate sales goals for 2018!
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I joined EXIT Above and Beyond Realty in February of 2018.  At that time I wrote up a success plan and a list of goals I hoped to achieve by the end of the year and I reviewed it all with my new broker.  With the tools and technology available to me and the training and support I receive at the office, I'm very, very proud to say that I hit each target on my list before October 1st.  Now, in addition to all the other great benefits of being a part of EXIT Realty, I also get to enjoy a 90/10 commission split and no transaction fees for the entire last quarter of the year!  

With referrals, residuals and retirement benefits to look forward to, I can't wait to see what the future holds for me at EXIT Above and Beyond Realty!  

Real estate professionals... please take 4 minutes to watch the video below.  Learn how EXIT can help you earn!!!!  
If you have any questions about my experience with EXIT Above and Beyond Realty... 
call or text 860-978-5388
​email jessica@jessicamartinrealty.com
We are growing and looking for new and seasoned realtors to join our office.
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8 Niederwerfer Rd. South Windsor, CT 06074

10/2/2018

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This closing was extra special to me because these people are extra special to me!  Meet Maddie and Chris, one of my favorite couples!  Together for more than 10 years, engaged and not yet living together!  In this day and time I feel like you rarely see long term couples put off moving in together and I'm a big sucker for old fashion relationship foundations.  I love their love!  With plans for a wedding next year, these love birds decided it was time to check the house box off their list of things to do.  I was so, so happy they chose me to help them find the right one.
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This was not the right one!
​I had more fun showing houses to these two than should be allowed at "work".  With quite a few towns within a reasonable commuting distant for both of their work, we cast our net wide.  We looked at houses big, small and in-between in Suffield, Stafford, Somers, Enfield, Coventry, Vernon, Ellington and South Windsor.  All the time considering commutes, neighborhoods and school systems (for their future kids!). The one that had it all was this gem in South Windsor.  The hardest part of the process was learning to spell Niederwerfer Rd!     
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Seriously... how cute are these new homeowners?
Congratulations to Maddie & Chris!  You're off to a great start at 8 Niederwerfer Rd and I can't wait to see you settle in and start your next chapter there!  Save me a seat at family game night!  
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8 Niederwerfer Rd.
South Windsor, CT 06074
3 bedroom, 1 bathroom
​$170,000.00
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    Jessica Martin
    ​I'm a realtor (CT & MA) who keeps bees. Selling houses and honey. Get some!
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