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Crystal River, FL October 8, 2009. Senior moving companies are on the rise. Almost overnight, they've popped up all over the map. One can pay just under $1500 for a 3-day course to become certified as a Senior Transition Specialist. But, is this really something new, or have they re-branded an age old concept of helping our elders? These companies are charging for services that Auction Businesses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been providing to their older clients for years, but they were doing it out of the goodness of their heart. They didn't know that helping seniors make the transition to assisted living or a relatives home could mean dollar signs. Instead they helped because it was the neighborly thing to do.
Do a Google search and the names are endless. Senior Transitions, Caring Transitions, Gentle Transitions, and Mature Movers are just a few. They even have an association: The National Association of Senior Move Managers, a 501-C-3 Not-for-Profit organization.
Why have these companies become necessary? Isn't there anyone who cares enough about the elderly to help them with their move to assisted living or back home to be near their children without being paid for it? Are family members too busy to help them? Don't neighbors help each other anymore? What happened to "Love your neighbor as yourself". Well, there are actually two types of businesses that do care. They have been around for ever and a day helping seniors prepare for moving day and most likely they didn't charge them extra. Those businesses are Estate Sale and Auction Companies. Although they may not have specifically advertised this service, for years Auction Houses and Estate Sale Companies alike have been the liaison between clients and their out of town family members to help this transition go smoothly. These businesses have helped sort items, made necessary arrangements, and taken it upon themselves to see that their clients were ready for moving day. Most have left the home void of debris, "broom clean" and ready for a Realtor, and if the home really needs a deep cleaning, these companies will call in a professional cleaning crew, as long as the owner is willing to pay. They are also happy to help by transporting unsold items to a charity of the owner's choice.
The liquidators of the "good ol' days" didn't charge for the little extras. The auctioneer or estate sale companies made their profit on the liquidation of the items in the home that were not going to be moved, and not for helping the senior with all the other details. These "details" can become overwhelming to a client, but are matter-of-fact for liquidators, who move seniors day in and day out. A huge smile or a warm hug from the client were compensation enough for going the extra mile. Years later the companies continued to reap rewards in the form of word-of-mouth referrals from family, friends, and neighbors who were impressed at the kindness displayed by the liquidators.
The good news is that estate sale companies and auction houses still offer these services, but evidently they haven't been doing a good job of advertising the extras they offer. They may not be aware that there are people charging for the same services liquidators will do out of kindness. If they were properly advertising the many ways in which they help the elderly, there would have been no room in the market for a new industry based solely on helping seniors move. The senior transition companies are NOT moving companies. Their job is to help seniors with the details surrounding a move, just as most auctioneers and estate sale companies do. One charges, the other most often does not.
Most auctioneers in states such as Florida, with a large population of older residents, will tell you that at least 50 percent of their business involves assisting the elderly move "back up north" or into Assisted Living, or liquidating an estate after someone has passed. The senior, a relative, executor, attorney or realtor begins with a call to the estate sale company or auction business because they need to downsize or completely liquidate an estate. The liquidators present several options: The items can either be sold outright to the auction or estate company, they can be consigned to an upcoming Antique or Estate Auction, or they can be sold in an estate sale -- either at the client's home or in the business' own facility. The auctioneers and estate sale representatives don't alway reveal all the little "extras" they do. But, whichever method of liquidation is chosen, once they are hired, they instinctively act as an extension of the client's family and do everything they can to put everyone's mind at ease regarding the move -- and they usually do this without charge. No matter which way the client chooses to sell their personal property, they tend to go above and beyond the liquidation itself. this usually includes helping sort which items will be moved and which will be sold, packing, unpacking, removal of debris, and cleaning the house. Most, if not all of this is still done for FREE.
Citrus County Auctioneer, Charles Fudge, says, "Our staff has over 100 years of combined experience in liquidating estates, and seniors make up the majority of our clientèle. We treat everyone like family. Anyone who calls upon our business will receive help and support from us; enough that they shouldn't need a moving specialist. We can have a senior packed, unpacked, and settled in assisted living in about 24 hours. The sooner we can get them settled in their new home, the better. We want them to feel "at home" in their new residence right away, and this happens more quickly when the things they love surround them. They need to have their medicine in a place they can easily reach. They want the photo of their deceased spouse on their nightstand, and their grandchildren's photo hanging on the wall. We make sure they have some food in their refrigerator and their clothes hanging in their closet. If they have a pet, they need to know where we put the pet food. These little things make a big difference in how quickly they adapt to their new surroundings and we do everything we can to make them comfortable". He goes on to say, "We treat each move as if the client was our own grandmother, and we keep open lines of communication with out of town family members, who tend to worry at a time like this. Once their previous residence is empty, our cleaning crew goes in and gets the house prepared for the Realtor or next resident. We make sure the place they are moving into is clean. If it isn't, we have that cleaned as well. Many people write to me to thank us for making the move go so smoothly. A great deal of our business comes from referrals by people we've helped move, their realtors, friends, relatives, or even their neighbors, who've observed the process.."
Employee Amy Stalker says of Fudge, "He does this all for FREE because he is a very kind man, with a special place in his heart for the elderly" He has moved more people into assisted living and got them all set up than she can count, but the only money he makes is the commission on items he sells for them or profit on items he purchases outright and sells at a later date." She goes on, "He wouldn't think of charging extra when a person needs some extra help in the transition of moving. One time, he not only helped a man sort through what he would or wouldn't need when he moved into a senior citizens' apartment in New England, but he also helped him pack, find a moving company, and basically held his hand through every step of the move. The icing on the cake was when he actually flew Up North to help the man settle in and unpack." Mr. Fudge may take helping his clients to the extreme, but he is not the only liquidator helping seniors make their transitions.
In summary, the services provided by senior moving consultants make for a great business model, but the services they provide are nothing new. They've taken something that loved ones and neighbors as well as auction houses and estate companies have been doing for as long as people have been moving. They are an additional entity providing service to the elderly, but auctioneers and estate liquidators were the first ones besides family and friends offering a helping hand. Auctioneers and estate sale companies helped their clients out of kindness, especially when t the seniors had nowhere else to turn. The senior moving consultants have taken something thats always been done for free, whether by family friends or liquidators, and turned it into a profitable business.
Before hiring a specialized company to move your loved one back "home" or to assisted living, consider your options. Find out what "extras" your local auction house or estate sale company will provide if you hire them to liquidate all or part of the contents of your home. Find out which services they will provide for free and which services may cost extra. Compare those prices with those charged by a senior moving specialist, and you may find out that the auction house or estate sale company is all you will need.
For additional information, contact Antique Auctions by Professional Appraisers & Liquidators at 811 US Hwy 19, Crystal River, FL. Their website is http://www.charliefudge.com or call them toll free at 800-542-3877. To find an auctioneer near you, visit: www.auctioneers.org. You can find Estate Sale Companies and Senior Moving Consultants in your yellow pages.
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