Navigating Life’s Next Chapter: Helping Seniors Sell Their Homes with Care & Confidence

Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker REALTOR® & Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist®
Selling a home is always a significant decision. But when it comes to seniors, it’s more than just a real estate transaction. It’s about closing one chapter & carefully, compassionately beginning the next.
Most seniors make major real estate decisions between the ages of 72 & 74. At this stage, many are still independent & actively planning for the future, yet they’re also keenly aware of the realities that come with aging. It’s a time when having the right support system—both emotionally & professionally—can make all the difference.
As a Coldwell Banker REALTOR® & Seniors Real Estate Specialist® (SRES®), I understand the unique challenges older adults & their families face. The process of downsizing, transitioning to assisted or independent living, & navigating healthcare & financial options can be overwhelming. For many families, this shift comes with uncertainty, emotional strain, & a long to-do list that’s difficult to tackle alone.
You might be wondering:
- Where do we even begin?
- What are the best living arrangements for my parent’s current & future needs?
- Can we afford the care they require now & in the future?
- How do we begin sorting, packing, & moving decades of memories?
- What resources are available to help with Medicaid, Veterans benefits, or senior housing programs?
These aren’t simple questions—& there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. That’s why I don’t just help seniors sell their homes. I work alongside a trusted network of moving professionals, eldercare workers, financial & legal advisors to provide your family with a comprehensive, compassionate plan. As a former Project Manager, I help you every step of the way, from building your team to creating a program & a timeline, to listing the home & ensuring a smooth transition into the next phase of life. I’m here to guide you through each step with patience & expertise.
If you’re helping a loved one navigate this life-changing process, know that you don’t have to—and you shouldn’t—do it alone. Whether you’re just starting to consider the options or you’re in the thick of decision-making, I’m here to lighten the load.
Let’s talk—confidentially & without pressure—about how I can support you & your family during this important transition.
Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker REALTOR® & Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist®
📞 Call/Text: 847-494-1102
📧 Email: karen.daugerdas@cbrealty.com
Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program – More than a Senior Discount

There are growing concerns that increases in property tax bills due to recent re-evaluations are pushing senior citizens to leave their homes.
Some seniors take the Senior Exemption, which lowers their property tax based on reaching age 65 and above. There is also The Senior Freeze, for eligible senior homeowners whose household income is no higher than $65,000 per year, including all residents of the home.
But what do those seniors in the middle do? They may be above the $65,000, even by $1, and can’t afford the new property tax based on the new re-evaluations of their home value. There is one additional choice – a Senior Tax Deferral.
In Illinois, this program allows qualified seniors to defer a maximum of $7,500 in property taxes per tax year (including 1st and 2nd installments) on their primary home. This is a loan, not a discount, from the State of Illinois and is paid when the home is sold, or upon the death of the owners.
The deferral allows property owners aged 65 or older to “borrow” money from the state to cover their property taxes.
For some, this can make the difference in staying in their home, falling behind on their taxes or having to sell.
The requirements for the program are:
- Be 65 years of age or older on June 1 of the year the application is filed.
- Have a combined household income of $65,000 or less.
- Have lived in the home for the past 3 years.
- Have no overdue property taxes or pending special assessments.
- Maintain adequate fire or accident insurance.
You may defer up to $7,500, with an interest rate 3%. If the taxes are greater, the owner is still responsible for balance. It is the owner/taxpayer’s responsibility to pay the remaining amount to the Cook County Treasurer’s Office & late payments are assessed at an interest of 0.75% per month until the tax is paid in full.
Taxes must be re-paid immediately upon the sale or transfer of the property, or within one year after death.
What about your Mortgage?
Although written approval from your mortgage lender is not required, seniors should notify their mortgage lender of their intent so they can confirm that participation in this program will not violate any terms of the mortgage agreement or any “reverse-mortgage” agreement.
What if my property is in a Trust?
- The only trust that is allowed for this deferral is an Illinois Land Trust with the senior and their spouse as the sole beneficiary(s).
- The Illinois Land Trust handles ownership. This is similar to a revocable living trust. The title is held by a trustee while the senior/owners retain the ability to enjoy all the rights and responsibilities of owning the property.
- When property is placed into a land trust, the interest is essentially converted to personal property. The benefits of that characterization are that the property becomes simpler to manage and convey than an interest in real property.
Applications for the fiscal year must be submitted by March. Per state law, there are no time extensions OR Certificates of Error for the deferment.
At cookcountytreasurer.com, under the “Seniors” tab, seniors can find information about the program, a link to a downloadable brochure and an application that can be printed. In addition, the Cook County Treasurer’s Office has videos in English, Spanish, and Polish on the website and social media platforms.
If you have exhausted other resources & exemptions, the deferment may be the best alternative to staying or leaving your home.
For more real estate questions, contact Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker REALTOR & Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist at 847.494.1102 or karen.daugerdas@cbrealty.com.
Is America’s Housing Market Failing Older Adults?

The US population is aging. Within the next decade, older adults will outnumber children for the first time in American history. As Americans live longer, their housing needs will change, but our current housing market is ill prepared for this demographic shift, according to Linna Zhu and Amalie Zinn of Urban Wire/Institute.
Today, senior households—many of whom are on fixed incomes—are facing a combined crisis of housing affordability, accessibility, and availability. As the country’s population ages and without action by policymakers, the consequences will be severe.
Over the past two decades, the number of senior households considered severely cost burdened—those spending more than half their income on housing—has nearly doubled, rising from 5.2 million to nearly 11.7 million, according to American Community Survey data. And the share of severely cost–burdened senior households has increased. In 2000, 11.5 percent of households headed by someone 50 or older were severely cost burdened. By 2020, the share increased to more than 16 percent.
Housing cost burdens are driven not only by one’s rent or mortgage payments, but by the cost of utilities, home insurance, property taxes (PDF), maintenance, and other fees.
Some demographic groups are more affected than others. Renter households are more likely than owners to be cost burdened at all ages. Older seniors, those 75 and older, are more likely to be cost burdened than younger seniors. Other research finds that rising insurance premiums have also made senior living communities more expensive.
According to the Urban Institute analysis of 2000–23 American Community Survey, households are severely cost burdened if they spend more than 50% of their income on housing costs.
Unlike younger adults, who can change their spending in response to rising cost burdens, seniors, especially those on fixed incomes, have less flexibility. For older adults facing increased or unexpected housing costs, limited budgeting alternatives can lead to homelessness. Between 2019 and 2022, the share of older adults experiencing homelessness increased 37%.
Survey data suggest that most older adults want to remain in their current homes and communities as they age. But affordability and accessibility present challenges.
According to the latest data from the American Community Survey, more than 75% of senior households live alone or with only one other person, yet 60% of these households live in homes with at least three bedrooms. These homes may not only be too big—they might be too old or in poor condition. Nearly half of large homes rented and owned by seniors were built before 1980 and might require serious renovation or modification.
The Urban Institute analysis of 2020 Health and Retirement Study noted that a household is considered lacking the financial assets to modify their home if their financial assets are below the median out-of-pocket expenses paid for accessibility modifications by other seniors of the same tenure.
According to data from the latest Health and Retirement Study, 34% of households headed by someone older than 50 lack the financial resources to cover the median out-of-pocket expenditures on home modifications. Renters in particular are more likely to lack the resources for renovations, with 58% of older renting households unable to cover median expenditures compared with 27% of homeowners.
Even if older adults want and have the means to move, the severe housing supply shortage has led to a limited available housing stock, particularly at the affordable end of the market. Only 10% of the country’s housing units are ready to accommodate older people, as most homes have entryway steps, only upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms, and inaccessible bathrooms.
Research suggests that many older adults might want to move closer to their children, meaning they might be searching for housing in high-cost areas with amenities important to younger people, like employment opportunities and strong school districts. Older adults that require greater levels of care might face even more barriers, as the cost of independent- and assisted-living communities are prohibitively high, in part because of the high cost of housing development.
Increasing affordable housing supply—and especially the supply of smaller, accessible homes in areas where seniors want to live—can improve the well-being of senior households. To ensure that senior households can move if that is best suited for their needs, federal, state, and local policymakers can
- change zoning regulations to allow for multigenerational and intergenerational housing, as well as backyard accessory dwelling units;
- ease the way for more homes to get built, particularly at the affordable end of the market; and
- ensure the Federal Housing Administration has the resources to increase lending for senior living and health care facilities.
The housing needs of seniors will continue to evolve, especially as the country’s demographics shift and senior households make up a larger share of the population. To prepare for the coming decades—by building the necessary homes and making policy changes—we need research to make future needs clear.
Projections of future housing needs among older adults—especially those that account for climate vulnerability, insurance cost increases, health status, social connections, and changes in senior incomes and benefits—could provide crucial insights. The collection and publication of population-level data on senior housing decisions, challenges, and outcomes at detailed geographic levels can support this work and clarify problems and solutions.
Information and data provided by Linna Zhu and Amalie Zinn of Urban Wire/Institute.
If you have questions regarding housing for seniors, contact your local Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist®, Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker REALTOR® at 847.494.1102 or karen.daugerdas@cbrealty.com.
Apply for Property Tax Exemptions NOW!

Exemption applications for the 2024 tax year are now available online. Exemptions are savings that contribute to lowering a homeowner’s property tax bill. The most common is the Homeowner Exemption, saving a property owner an average of $950 dollars each year. As a reminder, exemptions are reflected on the second installment property tax bill, so you would not have seen it on the first installment bill.
The deadline to apply is Monday, April 21, 2025. See the full list of exemptions here.
Here are three key things that homeowners should be aware of when applying for exemptions.
- New homeowners, first-time applicants, or those that need to reapply can now do so online by visiting, www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions. Homeowners are strongly encouraged to apply online so there is a digital record of their application.
- Homeowners need to submit annual filings for the “Senior Freeze” and Veterans with Disabilities Exemptions. Seniors and Veterans that need to reapply will be mailed application booklets in the mail, but are encouraged to apply online.
- The automatic renewal of the Homeowner, Senior, and Persons with Disabilities Exemptions will continue, postcards will be mailed to households confirming that the savings will be applied and no action is needed.
How to Check Your Exemptions
If homeowners are unsure of their existing exemptions, they can check by reviewing their “Property Details” and review the Exemption History & Status section.
Multilanguage Applications Available
The Assessor’s Office is proud to announce that exemption forms are available in English Spanish, Polish, and simplified Chinese. Applications can be downloaded at www.cookcountyassessor.com/exemptions.
Join a Virtual Workshop
Homeowners can join virtual and in-person workshops to learn about exemptions and how to apply. For a list of upcoming in-person and virtual outreach events, www.cookcountyassessor.com/event-list.
Staging Your Home for Sale

When staging your home for sale, where do you start? Highlight your home’s strengths, downplay its weaknesses, and appeal to the greatest possible pool of prospective buyers.
- Curb Appeal
First impressions matter, so make your home stand out the instant buyers pull up to the curb.
- Trim bushes, edge.
- Pressure wash
- Paint the front door
- Use planters and fill them with small evergreen shrubs. If you have window boxes, fill them with fresh greenery, too.
- Add chairs on the front porch to expand your outdoor living space.
- Reseal the driveway, update mailbox and house numbers, welcome mat and light fixtures.
- Give the Kitchen a Facelift
Kitchens sell houses, so any updates you make have the potential to go a long way. And they don’t have to be expensive:
- Show off storage. Pack up the seldom-used small appliances and holiday dishware, spices. Don’t have items or food falling out of the cabinets. No cereal boxes on top of the fridge.
- Clear off the countertops.
- Give cabinets a facelift with paint; go for classic white or try a dark neutral like gray or slate blue.
- Change the outdated hardware and faucet
- Try peel-and-stick faux tile, tin tile, beadboard paneling or try painting the existing tile.
- Brighten lighting, add art
- Make Bathrooms Shine
- Scrub the bathrooms, then scrub them all again. Nothing will turn off a potential buyer more than a dirty bathroom. Remove hard-water stains from faucets, make sure there is no sign of mold.
- Consider reglazing the tile.
- If grout is an issue, mix 9 parts water with 1 part bleach in a spray bottle and spray the grout. Or use grout cleaner. Recaulk if needed.
- Remove cosmetics and products in the vanity and medicine cabinet.
- INVEST in new shower curtains, rugs & bathmats (you can always take them with you when you move). Put out fluffy towels, candles, a few fancy soaps and make it a SPA.
- Make the Bedrooms Luxurious
- Create an inviting and serene main bedroom with great bedding, but not too fancy – make it GENDER NEUTRAL.
- Add extra pillows to the bed, tucking a large comforter into a soft-colored duvet will give your bed that plump and plush look that you see in high-end hotels.
- Add color with shams, throw pillows and extra blankets.
- Keep nightstands uncluttered and remove personal items.
- Add pops of color, REFLECTIVE SURFACES & let the light shine in.
- Pare Down Furniture
- Too much furniture. When professional stagers descend on a home being prepped for market, they remove HALF of furnishings so the house looks bigger.
- You should be able to move around each room without being blocked by furniture.
- Make sure buyers can access your home’s best features like the fireplace or built-in bookshelves and see out all the windows.
- Avoid a cluttered look by minimizing items on the coffee table and not piling so many pillows on the couch that nobody can sit on it.
It’s a mistake to think that rooms will feel larger if all the furniture is pushed against the walls. Allow 3 feet of clearance for your room’s main thoroughfares, if less traffic, 2 feet will suffice. Float furniture away from walls. Create cozy conversational groups, and place pieces so that the traffic flow in a room is obvious. Not only will this make the space more user-friendly, but it will open up the room and make it seem larger. Don’t focus on the TV!
- Add Functional Office Space
These days more people are HOMESCHOOLING & working from home so a workspace may be essential for your potential buyers. If you don’t have an entire room to dedicate to a home office, carve out a nook in a spare bedroom, a corner of the living room or even a closet.
- Use Window Coverings to Fool the Eye
Hung the right way, window treatments can help make a room look more spacious. Use drapes that are the same color as your walls so that the continuous hue will make the space look WIDER. Create the illusion of HEIGHT by hanging drapes above the window. They should start at the ceiling and just barely brush the floor. Don’t let them gather or puddle on the floor.
- Depersonalize/Declutter
Buyers need to picture themselves in your home, and that’s hard to do if all they see are your personal items. You may love that skull souvenir from Arizona, but not everyone does. Remove too many political and religious items, family photos, your kids’ artwork, framed diplomas and personal collections. Pack these items up to take to your new home and replace them with generic artwork.
- Show Off Your Storage
- Storage always ranks high on buyers’ priority list.
- Decluttering your closets and cabinets. Keep closets neat by stashing items in matching baskets and bins.
- Implement shoe racks and under-shelf baskets to demonstrate the versatility of your storage.
- Straighten out the linen closet and add a couple bins or baskets. Every single buyer I’ve had asks questions about storage. And YES THEY OPEN YOUR CLOSET DOORS! Don’t think that “hiding things” in the closet is decluttering!
- Paint
When in doubt, white it out. The professional decorating websites that were surveyed believe white paint will sell your home because not only does it provide future buyers with a blank slate, but it gives living rooms a fresh, clean, well-kept appearance that appeals to the masses. But try a warm white or off white. You don’t want it to give off a “cold” feel, which a white can do. Our tried-and-true white paint colors include Snowbound or Greek Villa from Sherwin Williams or White Dove and Chantilly Lace from Benjamin Moore. You can buy small cans of sample paints or “Patches” to paste on your walls to help you decide.
- Our Beloved Pets
We totally understand how much you love your pets (we do, too), but potential buyers may be turned off by pet odors or be allergic to fur and dander.
Thoroughly clean the areas where your pets spend most of their time and add air fresheners.
When potential buyers come calling, throw the pet beds, crates, toys, food dishes and litter boxes in your car then take Fido or Fluffy for a walk in the park.
If you have other questions about preparing your home for sale, call Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker, 847.494.1102.
Energy usage going up? Try these tips …

Are you avoiding the winter weather and enjoying a cozy night in instead? It’s likely your energy usage is going up while staying warm inside and bingeing the new season of your favorite TV show, according to ComEd. And you’re not alone – the winter months can cause increases in your electric usage, which can impact your energy costs. Seasonal items like space heaters & dehumidifiers can increase your energy use, as can extra lighting to ward off those dark afternoons.
While it might feel like there’s no end in sight for those dark days and chilly temps, ComEd says you can help you cut back on your energy usage without curbing your binge-watching habits with these easy-to-follow tips:
- Clean or replace air filters– Heating and cooling consumes up to 50% of total home energy use in an average household. Dirty air filters make your furnace work harder to circulate air. By cleaning or replacing your filters, you can lower your heating and cooling system energy use by up to 15%.
- Insulate outlets and light switches– Outlets and light switches on the walls that separate your home from the outdoors are often overlooked sources of heating or cooling loss. Insulating these areas can reduce drafts and keep your home more comfortable.
- Clear areas around heating and cooling vents– Furniture, carpets and other objects can block vents and prevent heated or cooled air from traveling. This blockage makes your heating system work harder and prevents rooms from warming up quickly.
- Open your shades on winter days for natural light and warmth–Taking advantage of winter sunlight can help make a dent in your heating costs. Open blinds during the day to provide natural lighting and capture free heat.
- Unplug electronics when they’re not in use–Many gadgets, including televisions, DVR boxes, game consoles and computers, continue to use power even when they are off, so unplug electronics when you don’t need them. For convenience, plug devices into a power strip and turn it off.
This season, ComEd’s Energy Doctors remind customers of the following tips:
- When the sun is shining, open shades on south-facing windows and take advantage of natural light for warmth. Close the shades during the night to help insulate your home.
- Set your thermostat to as low a temperature as possible to maintain personal comfort. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall heating bill will be. Overnight, you can also save by turning your thermostat down a few degrees while sleeping.
- Clear area around heating and cooling vents. Furniture, carpets, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.
Information courtesy of Commonwealth Edison, www.comed.com.
Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Broker, 847.494.1102.
What is the #1 Reason People Decide to Move?

Why do people move? If you’re looking for the Number One reason, it may surprise you to know that the National Association of Realtors (NAR) surveys say that the desire to be near family and friends is the number one reason people decide to make a change.
But what are the benefits of moving closer to family?
The desire to live near family and friends affects all types of homebuyers and demographics. While first-time buyers may prioritize affordability and location, many repeat buyers are increasingly focusing on emotional connections and personal relationships.
One noteworthy demographic in this trend is Baby Boomers. Many from this generation have built significant equity in their homes, giving them the flexibility to make choices that prioritize family connections.
Making the decision to move closer to family and friends is not just about goodwill. It brings a whole range of advantages that can enrich your daily life.
With proximity comes the ability to share everyday moments, whether it’s joining family for dinner, attending weekend activities, or simply having a friendly chat next door. The result? Stronger bonds and happier lives.
Living nearby also allows for practical exchanges, whether it’s childcare, borrowing tools for home improvement, or other household necessities. This sense of community can alleviate burden and enhance efficiency in daily tasks.
Moving closer means less driving, too. You can enjoy spontaneous visits, enhancing your quality of life and making it easier to respond to life’s surprises and emergencies.
The emotional support provided by nearby loved ones can make a huge difference during significant milestones and challenging times. Having family nearby fosters a sense of connection and care whether you’re celebrating graduations or lending a hand during tough times.
If you’re contemplating a change, reach out to me at 847.494.1102 or karen.daugerdas@cbrealty.com. I can provide insights into neighborhoods that will bring you closer to the things and people you value most.
Recap of 2024 Buyers, Sellers & the Real Estate Market
2024 was a very challenging year for real estate. The market was frozen, we had low inventory, high prices & high interest rates.
However, the 2nd half of this year began to turn around, although slightly. We saw a little more inventory & interest rates began to loosen.
Where people were “locked” into their existing, low interest rates on the home that they owned, they now have life changes, like retirement, divorce, children being added to or leaving the family, job changes, all of which contribute to home inventory loosening, because people have to move.
Think about it. One year ago we had 8 percent mortgage interest rate. But why didn’t the rates go down when the federal reserve cut the rate?
Well, the Federal Reserve does not control mortgage rates. What was affected by their cut was the rates on your credit cards & the interest you pay, as well as the rates paid on your savings, on what you earn.
We anticipate mortgage interest rates declining slightly next year, maybe to 6 percent. Unfortunately, we also see home prices at the beginning of 2025 staying at the same level or increasing. If you’re considering a move, a purchase or an investment, now may be the time! Contact Karen Daugerdas, Coldwell Banker Real Estate Broker, Pricing Strategy Advisor, Short Sale/Foreclosure Resource, Accredited Buyers’ Representative & Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist for market information & a complimentary home evaluation at 847.494.1102.