As the summer comes to a close, it’s time for the kids to head back to school. But for some people, that means seeing their youngest child off to college and suddenly becoming empty nesters. This transition is a major life shift that can take time for even the most well-adjusted people to adapt to. The biggest question often is – what do I do with this sudden extra space? If you find yourself in this position, here are some of the things you may want to consider.

Redecorate

It isn’t necessary to change your home the moment your last child moves out of the house. It’s perfectly okay to keep their bedroom the way it is, especially if you expect them to visit home fairly often. But if the sight of those high school trophies or childhood toys is making you sad, don’t be afraid to do some redecorating. You can turn your child’s bedroom into a guest bedroom that’s more suitable for adults. Your child will stay have a place to stay, but it will also be comfortable for other out-of-town guests that you’d like to host now that you have more free time. 

Renovate

If you’d like to stay in your house, but you’re worried about how comfortable and safe you’ll be as you age, now may be a great time to do some serious renovations. Do you envision a life of entertaining now that the kids have moved out? Perhaps it’s time to redesign your living area and make it more open and conducive to large gatherings. Think about what your needs may be in 15 or 20 years and make those upgrades now, such as a walk-in shower, a first-floor master suite. If you imagine living in your home well into retirement, you can begin to transform your home now so that it will always suit your tastes and needs for many years to come.

Downsize

Maybe you’re looking around your family home and thinking that you really don’t need all this space any more. Or perhaps you love the idea of having less to take care of. Wouldn’t it be nice to never have to mow the lawn again? Some empty nesters dream about a life of travel as they reach retirement age, and worry that their large home will be too much to deal with when they’re out of town. Or maybe you’d love to live in a different city with a better climate or more attractions. There are many reasons why empty nesters may no longer wish to live in their current home.

Compliments of Virtual Results

Back-to-school season is officially here. This time of year can often be hectic for parents, and it’s doubly so if you’ve just moved into a new house. Somehow, in the midst of unpacking, you’re supposed to get prepared for the school year ahead. While it may seem like an insurmountable task, it can be done. Here are our best tips and tricks [...]

Selling your home can be a big undertaking. Which is why it’s no surprise that some homeowners have turned to less-than-traditional methods to increase their odds of a quick and profitable sale or for good luck in a new home. From enlisting the help of a saint to applying ancient Chinese design principles, these are some of the more [...]

Selling a home brings with it a sizable dose of uncertainty as well as a heaping helping of stress. It’s no wonder that home sellers can feel anxious or depressed during the process. Although it’s common to feel a little overwhelmed, it doesn’t have to overtake your [...]

 

Summer home-selling season is here! The next few months are a great time to sell your home as many buyers wait until summer to make a move. While it means there are potentially more people who may be interested in buying your home, it also means more competition from other sellers. Make your home stand out this summer by staging it like [...]

When the day was over for Megan Conner in eighth grade, she’d head to Taylor Real Estate for a different kind of learning in the family business. She built up the courage to answer the phone that seemed to always be ringing, and her grandmother, Bernice Conner, taught her to transfer calls to individual Realtors.

Danica Achin remembers taking messages from clients who were calling their home, looking for her father, Chuck Conner. Her first actual job with the company came when she was 17, answering the phone in the office and helping with administrative tasks.

Recently, Conner and Achin have taken on more responsibility with the business their great-grandfather founded in 1955, marking the beginning of an informal succession plan.

Both women are Realtors with the firm. Conner is also an administrative and advertising assistant with duties that include delving into financial management and handling requests for sponsorships. Achin is the rental division manager. They hope to one day assume ownership of the company and teach the trade to their own children.

“It’s really important the business stay in the family,” Conner said. “My ancestors put a lot of time and work into maintaining the business and building up our reputation. We now have an opportunity to carry on their legacy.”

Conner and Achin’s great-grandfather, Charles Taylor, founded the Easthampton business as the Charles W. Taylor Agency in 1955. Taylor then passed the business to his daughter, Bernice, and her husband, Bob Conner — Chuck Conner’s parents, and Megan Conner and Achin’s grandparents. In 2013, the name changed to Taylor Real Estate.

Chuck Conner started working full-time at Taylor Real Estate with his parents after graduating from college in 1981. Soon after, he took on management responsibilities for the firm.

Megan Conner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with a specialty in developmental disabilities and human services in 2017 from UMass Amherst. She obtained a real-estate license in June 2017. Over the years, she has prepared listings, photographed homes and apartments for sale or rent, and prepared advertising for listings and open houses.

After high school, Achin worked for her mother’s cleaning business while simultaneously working in the office at Taylor Real Estate. In 2014, she became the business’ rental agent. She earned her real-estate license in 2014 and took over the Rental Department.

“Chuck has instilled a great work ethic in both of us,” Achin said. “We work as a team and always help each other out.

Added Conner, “the goal is for us to take care of the business the way Chuck does now and stay as involved as possible in the community. We are both young and driven, which helps us to work as hard as we can to help people every day. We love our community and the people in it.”

There’s no doubt you’ve stumbled across open houses and wondered if you should go. Whether you’re ready to buy or getting your finances together to be in the market soon, there can be many benefits to attending open [...]

Gearing Up For Spring

 

Have you heard? It’s a seller’s market.

 

Spring is the kickoff to the most popular time of year for buying and selling homes, but just because the market is hot, does not necessarily mean your house is ready to sell. With spring being just around the corner, it is time to start [...]