Steve and Vicky Brase are in their 70s, are in good shape, and they could hold onto their pretty 4-bedroom ranch on Heritage at Eagle Bend Golf Club for years to come. But they’re pulling the switch and selling now—something that senior move experts say is a smart move.

“The bulk of the baby boom generation still hasn’t given up the house that worked for them when they were much younger,” says Blair Bryant with The Steller Group, real estate agents with a Senior Solutions Division designed for sellers like the Brases.

“As all of those houses come up for sale in the coming years,” says Bryant, “that increase in supply will likely keep the market from being as strong a market as you’re seeing now.”

Perfect timing

Getting the timing right is just one of the advantages for a couple like the Brases, who have been proactive in getting ready to move, Bryant adds. That has allowed them to choose a perfect moment to sell, heading toward springtime when there are always the most buyers out looking.

“Just as in other years, we saw very few buyers in the market coming into the holidays,” notes Bryant. “But now, just since New Year’s Day, I’ve had two homes go under contract and I’m seeing lots of buyers out there looking.”

If you’re among that throng, Bryant can show you the Brases’ attractive 4-bedroom, 4-bath ranch plan with a wide-open kitchen/ family area, with a view of the 7th and 8th fairways on Heritage Eagle Bend Golf Club. The home at 7831 S. Algonquian Way is priced at $875,000 (call 720-443-2804 to set up a visit).

It lies in one of Colorado’s best areas to find low-maintenance ranches, close to E-470 with easy commutes to Park Meadows, the Tech Center, and to DIA (20 minutes).

Meanwhile, as Steller puts the home on the market this weekend, the Brases are settling into a roomy 2-bedroom plan at Wind Crest, a senior living community in Highlands Ranch with the lifestyle amenities that appeal to a couple who are active and wanting to meet neighbors.

“There are so many people here from Heritage Eagle Bend that they call it HEB West,” quips Vicky Brase. She started exploring senior communities in 2023, when the pair asked to join a priority list to wait for a good choice of the largest Wind Crest units.

Then the Brases sat in on one of Steller’s free seminars on senior moves (one is set for Wednesday, Jan. 22) for a view of the market and of the best techniques in preparing to sell.

“I’m no hoarder,” quips Vicky, who spent her career teaching for Cherry Creek Schools. She started early to rid their basement of clutter, taking advantage of that opportunity to create “memory books” from accumulated photos for each of the pair’s five children.

While the couple decluttered, Steller’s Bryant counseled them on readying the home for sale (he recommended minimal upgrades including new backsplashes, to show best). Steller has an in-house contractor to assist with that, and other professionals to help declutter, stage the home for sale, and carry out the move.

Steve Brase notes another reason to get an early start on all this: At communities like Wind Crest, prices are likely to rise this year as construction costs increase.

Steller has free seminars coming up in Centennial and South Jeffco. See the box above or visit DenverSeniorSeminars.com

“Just since New Year’s Day, I’ve had two homes go under contract and I’m seeing lots of buyers out there looking.”

WHAT: The Steller Group, Inc., agents specialized in downsizing moves: listing, selling, improving to increase salability, handling discards, low-maintenance living, purchase & rental.

FREE SEMINARS, REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED

Wed., Jan. 22, “Downsize 2025,” 10 a.m. to noon, Southglenn Library, 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial

Wed, Feb. 12, “Decluttering and Where to Start,” 11a.m. to1p.m., Sky Pointe Retirement Resort, 5842 S. Taft St., Littleton

PHONE: 720-593-9355

TO ARRANGE A SHOWING: 720-443-2804

Free seminar at Southglenn Library on Wednesday, Jan. 22