Before your home ever hits the market, we take a critical behind-the-scenes step by performing initial research and due diligence.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we believe that a smooth, successful sale starts with uncovering and resolving potential issues early—so you can move forward with confidence.

Here’s what this step includes:

• Town Hall and Land Records Review: We examine land records to review things like ownership, property boundaries, and any easements or restrictions. This helps us identify potential title issues that could raise a red flag with buyers , complicate negotiations, or delay closing.

• Building Department File Review: We check for open or closed permits. Open permits may indicate unfinished work or that the final inspection for the work has not occurred.  Buyers will be advised by their closing attorney to delay closing until all permits are closed.  On the other hand, closed permits confirm that work was completed and inspected, boosting buyer confidence.

If we find any discrepancies, we’ll guide you through resolving them—whether it’s scheduling inspections, gathering documentation, or working with contractors.

This proactive research is part of our commitment to excellence. It’s how we protect your interests, reduce stress, and ensure your home is ready for the market.

In our next post, we’ll explore Step 3: Comparative Market Analysis and Pricing Strategy—how we determine the right price to attract buyers and maximize your return.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

The first and most important step in our home-selling process is the Initial Consultation—a personal visit to your home that goes far beyond a simple walk-through.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we believe that understanding your story is the key to creating a successful strategy. Whether you’re downsizing, relocating, or transitioning to a retirement community, this visit is where trust is built and your journey begins.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Listening First: We sit down with you to learn about your goals, timeline, and unique circumstances.
• Explaining the Process: We walk you through each step of the journey so you know what to expect.
• Touring the Home: We take note of layout, features, and condition to inform our pricing strategy.
• Learning About Updates: We ask about renovations and upgrades that may impact your home’s value.
• Creating a Floor Plan Diagram: This helps buyers visualize your home and enhances online marketing.

This initial consultation sets the tone for everything that follows. It’s where clarity begins and confidence grows.

In our next post, we’ll dive into Step 2: Initial Research and Due Diligence—how we gather the data and insights needed to position your home for success.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

When it comes to selling your home, the quality of your real estate team matters—but so does the strength of the brokerage behind them.

At the Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker, we chose to align with Coldwell Banker because their values mirror our own: trust, innovation, and results. This partnership allows us to offer our clients the personalized care of a boutique team backed by the power of a global brand.

Here’s what that means for you:

Best-in-Class Tools & Support

• A powerful marketing platform that ensures your home is seen by the right buyers—locally and globally,
• Transaction management systems that keep every detail organized and on track
• Ongoing professional development that keeps our team sharp, informed, and ahead of the curve
• A commitment to excellence that aligns with our values of integrity, care, and results,

Unmatched Visibility & Reach.

• Coldwell Banker is the #1 most visited real estate brand online—12 years running.
• With over 96,000 agents in 45 countries, your listing benefits from maximum exposure across the most trafficked platforms in the industry.
• In Connecticut alone, Coldwell Banker leads the market with over $5.7 billion in closed transactions and the #1 ranking in sales volume.

By choosing Coldwell Banker, we bring you the best of both worlds: the personalized service of a local team and the unmatched reach of a global leader.

In our next post, we’ll talk about setting clear goals for your home sale—and how aligning your priorities with the right strategy can make all the difference.

👉 Download your complimentary copy of the Selling Your Home with Confidence and Peace of Mind workbook here: https://forevermorehomes.com/resources

The Forevermore Homes Team of Coldwell Banker is here to guide you with care, clarity, and a commitment to your goals—because selling your home should feel empowering, not overwhelming.

Prologue: Supporting Aging Parents—A Guide for Adult Children

If you’re an adult child watching your aging parent struggle with the realities of home maintenance, mobility, or isolation, you’re not alone. These moments often come with a mix of love, worry, and uncertainty. You want to help—but you don’t want to push. You want to protect—but you also want to honor their independence.

This blog post is the prologue to our Navigating the Next Chapter series, written especially for families like yours. Whether your parent is just beginning to think about the future or has recently experienced a fall or health scare, this guide will help you approach the conversation with empathy, clarity, and confidence.

Helping Aging Parents Navigate Change—From Gentle Conversations to Urgent Decisions

Supporting aging parents as they face housing and lifestyle transitions is one of the most emotionally complex roles adult children take on. Whether you’re gently planting seeds for future planning or urgently responding to a fall or health crisis, the goal remains the same: to help your loved ones stay safe, supported, and respected.

Start Early & Gently

The best time to begin the conversation is before a crisis. Approach it with curiosity and care, using open-ended questions that invite reflection—not resistance. These questions can help your parent feel heard and respected:

• “Have you ever thought about what kind of home you’d like as you get older?”
• “What does ‘home’ mean to you now, and how might that change in the future?”
• “Are there things about your current home that feel harder to manage than they used to?”
• “If you could design the perfect living situation for the next chapter, what would it look like?”
• “What would make life easier or more enjoyable for you right now?”
• “Have you seen any friends make changes that you’ve thought about for yourself?”

These gentle prompts open the door to meaningful conversations and help you understand what matters most to your parent—so you can support them in a way that feels collaborative, not confrontational.

Listen First

Before offering solutions, take time to understand their fears, hopes, and what they love about their current home. Listening builds trust and shows that you respect their autonomy.

Focus on the Positives

Change doesn’t have to mean loss. It can mean less maintenance, more safety, and a vibrant community that enhances quality of life. Help your parents see the possibilities, not just the problems.

Bring in Trusted Professionals

Sometimes, hearing advice from a neutral third party can make all the difference. Our team is here to guide you with care, experience, and a network of senior-focused experts—from aging-in-place specialists to estate planners and senior living advisors.

Take It One Step at a Time

Big changes can feel overwhelming. Start small—maybe it’s decluttering a room, attending a seminar together, or installing grab bars in the bathroom. Each step builds momentum and confidence.

When Safety Is at Stake: Responding to a Crisis

Sometimes, the need for change becomes painfully clear—like after a fall, a hospitalization, or a close call at home. And yet, even in the face of danger, some aging parents remain resistant. It’s heartbreaking, frustrating, and scary for adult children who just want to help.

Lead with Compassion, Not Confrontation

Even after an injury, denial is common. Your parent may feel embarrassed, afraid, or worried about losing control. Acknowledge their feelings:

“I know this has been scary. I want to help you stay safe and independent, and I’m here to support you—not take over.”

Reframe the Conversation Around Independence

Ironically, the right changes can preserve independence. Whether it’s using a walker, modifying the home, or considering a move to a safer environment, frame these steps as tools to help them stay active and in control—not as signs of decline.

Use the Crisis as a Turning Point

While you don’t want to dwell on fear, it’s okay to acknowledge reality:

“This fall showed us how quickly things can change. Let’s talk about what we can do to make sure you’re safe moving forward.”

This can be the moment that opens the door to real planning.

Take Action—But Keep Them Involved

If immediate changes are needed, act swiftly—but involve your parent in the process. Ask for their input, preferences, and concerns. This helps them feel respected and included.

You’re Not Alone

Supporting aging parents—whether through gentle conversations or urgent decisions—is emotionally demanding. You don’t have to do it alone. Our team specializes in guiding families through these transitions with compassion, clarity, and respect.

Download our free workbook, Navigating the Next Chapter: Housing Decisions for Seniors in Transition, to help you start the conversation and explore your options with confidence.

Whether your parents are ready now or still thinking it over, we’re here to help you navigate the next chapter—together.