Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers
William J. Fitzgerald
S-E-N-I-O-R-S
 
On The Move?
 
How To Decide When To Sell
 
Housing needs change throughout our lives. At first, singles need a place to call their own. Then young families move to get more space for the kids. Later, “first generation” retirees may need more support and services. Many seniors stay in their old homes and perfectly content to be there. Others find their thoughts turning to a new home, perhaps even to completely new way of life. Still others remain in their familiar homes while they are independent, but plan ahead to move to assisted living housing when they need it. Here are a few things to consider if you or older family members have reached the point where a retirement move might be the best strategy:

·        Are you over-housed? Are you rattling around in your “empty nest” paying more than you want for taxes, utilities and maintenance? If retirement means a cut in income, would a lower-priced home, townhome or condominium be easier to manage on your resources?
 
·        Do you need equity from your home? For some older owners, the equity built up in a home is their main retirement savings. Sometimes a move is needed to convert that equity into cash and income to be secure for the years to come.

·        Is the home’s upkeep manageable? Do you have time, energy or interest to paint, clean, mow, etc.? Will the roof need replacing soon, or the heating/AC need repair?

·        Does your home style match your physical ability? Are there too many steps or step-down rooms in your current home? Do you need a wheelchair-accessible residence? Is the yard more than you can handle? Are the safety, security, lighting, heating/AC systems adequate for retirement?
 
·        Has the neighborhood changed? If friends, relatives, neighbors, doctors and merchants have gone, maybe it’s time for you to consider moving also.
 
·        Do you want to be closer to family? Do you want to spend more time with your children and grandchildren? Maybe you would like to cut down on long trips to visit them, or perhaps you need regular assistance from a family member.
 
·        Would a move improve your lifestyle? If extensive traveling appeals to you, for example, you may want to relocate to a more economical, lower-maintenance home (“lock & leave,” as we say in real estate). You may want to be more conveniently located for activities such as golf, bridge clubs, walking trails. Or you may just want to move near old friends- or to a community where you can make new friends with interests similar to yours.  

How I Can Help

Whether it has been many years since you sold or bought a house or just purchased one, I specialize in listening to your concerns, answering your questions and explaining how today’s ever-changing real estate market can affect your lifestyle and financial planning. For home buying or home selling assistance - in our area or somewhere else, please give me a call. I’m an expert in local real estate, and through a nationwide network of relocation specialists, I can refer you to top quality real estate professionals in other locations.
 
TAX FACTS

How to Double Up on Capital Gain Tax Benefits
 
Some seniors are happily doubling their tax breaks by combining the capital gain rollover with their once-in-a-lifetime exemption. Here’s how it works:
 
A homeowner who is over 55 and has lived in a home for at least three out of the last five years is eligible (only once) for a $125,000 tax exemption on the profit from a home sale. A homeowner who sells a home and buys another of the same or greater value within two years may defer payment of any profit tax.
 
Putting these two benefits together allows some people to put the equity of their old home into new homes and, at the same time, claim their over-55 exemption and defer all gains tax.

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What our clients are saying  

We had great service, we would recommend to family & friends, would work with again, very helpful and went the extra mile to help, very friendly, professional and answered all our questions, returned our calls, emails and text messages very quickly, very reliable and efficient, extremely helpful & informative, very knowledgeable.

 

~ Randy and Jill Stauffer/St. Mary's Seller

Billy was the best, helped me with everything and got it done. I'm very happy and satisfied.

 

~ Joe Young / St. Mary's Buyer

Very good experience with Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers.

 

~ Rick Greer/St. Marys Buyer

Billy got the job done!

 

~ Wally Yowaiski/St. Mary's Seller

Fitzgerald Realty helped us find the home we wanted to invest in and guided us through the process of buying it. Settlement was conveniently done in their office and went very smoothly. We are planning to purchase again through this company. Thanks Billy

 

~ Tom & Betty Campbell/St Mary's Buyer

I reached out to Fitzgerald to find a rental for myself and two kids. I spoke first to Office MGT. , she was very helpful. She then put me in good hand with Mark Thompson. He was helpful, showed me property, answered all my questions, punctual and any time was a good time for him. He definitely was there to help! Thank you so much and when I'm ready to do the whole buying of a house goal I will definitely be calling up Fitzgerald Realty :)

 

~ Leighann Myers / St. Marys Renter

Billy Fitzgerald was very diligent in keeping us informed on the status of the sale and the settlement for the property that we had for sale. He currently has one other listing for us and feel confident that he will be successful in finding a buyer for this property as well. We will certainly recommend Fitzgerald Realty to our family and friends.

 

~ Linda Tyler / St. Marys Seller

I want to thank you for getting my Townhouse sold. The way you took the photos, listed it and being "straight" with me on the asking price made all the difference. I also want to thank you for the excellent service I received while in your capable hands. You are a TRUE SOUTHERN MARYLAND GENTLEMAN and an OUTSTANDING Real Estate Agent. Again, Thank you Billy ....

 

~ Carolyn "Judy" Bakewell / St. Marys Seller

We had great service! We would recommend Billy to family & friends. He was very helpful and went the extra mile to help and would work with again. He was very professional, friendly and answered all our questions. He would return our calls, emails & text messages very quickly. He was extremely helpful, reliable & efficient, also very informative & knowledgeable. I give him 5 stars!

 

~ John Taylor / St. Marys Seller

Good professional, courtesies service. The agent went to bat for me on every opportunity. After the deal was struck Billy aka (COL) did all that was expected and moved rapidly to wrap to entire transaction up. My family appreciated working with Billy and the Fitzgerald Real Estate family and we would recommend their services to others.

 

~ Mark Steedley / St. Marys Buyer

Billy went far beyond what anyone else before him did. Billy is a great person and will be the only one I ever recommend!

 

~ Craig Tiburzi / St. Marys Buyer

Amazingly when I saw a Fitzgerald Sign in the front of property I had to have, I reached out to Mr. Billy Fitzgerald and in less than a month the necessary people were contacted to assist in a short wait to closing. I would gladly recommend The Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers to family and friends.

 

~ Brian Small / St. Marys Buyer

My husband and I were very satisfied with the expertise and helpfulness of Mr. Fitzgerald. 4 stars

 

~ Carol Pingleton / St. Marys Seller

I wanted to commend Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers for the great job that they have done, for the many years of selling Real Estate for me and my clients. I have always found you very responsive. “A successful transaction is never an accident it is the result of personal service and a sincere effort”. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Rudolf A. Carrico Jr. Attorney at Law

 

~ Rudolf A. Carrico, Jr. / Charles County Seller

Awesome ! We are so happy with Billy & Fitzgerald Realty !

 

~ Misty Peed / St. Marys Buyer

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