Downsizing is one of those topics that is easy to avoid. Yet avoiding it often removes choice. The topic of downsizing rarely starts with a big moment. Yet when a big moment happens, that’s often when the conversation finally comes up and rushed decisions get made.

This is exactly why I created HELM’s 55 AND BETTER process. It supports individuals and families at whatever stage they are in, with a customized plan that brings clarity and calm. Not easy. I never promise easy. But absolutely easier, clearer, and more respectful. These are never just one conversation. Ongoing discussions allow you to better understand the wishes of your parents, your loved ones, and yourself. The more time you take to plan, the more options you will have.

Sometimes the decision is to age in place, and the question becomes how to do that successfully. When it’s too late to plan, choices become limited. So what’s the plan?

Planning also means having important documents in place, whether you have heirs or not. In British Columbia, that often includes a Power of Attorney for financial decisions, naming an Executor for your estate, and preparing Advance Care Planning documents or a Representation Agreement that outlines your health care wishes. These conversations can feel uncomfortable, yet they are one of the greatest gifts you can leave to the people who may need to step in, or to the professionals who may be asked to help if family is not nearby.

You don’t always say it out loud. Partly because it feels early. Partly because it’s hard to explain or you’re not sure where to start. And sometimes there’s hope that it will all just work itself out.

You may be asking yourself if it’s time for your mom and dad to move from their detached home to a condo or retirement living. Or, as an older adult yourself, you may be asking that same question.

And underneath it all is the most important question: whose decision is it? Ideally, it belongs to the person living in the home and living the life. Thoughtful planning helps ensure their wishes guide the process. Without a plan, however, decisions often fall to adult children or others during stressful moments, which can create uncertainty, conflict, and choices that may not reflect what was truly wanted.

Planning also means having important documents in place, whether you have heirs or not. Resources like Advance Care Planning Canada and Nidus Personal Planning Resource Centre offer guidance on advance care planning, representation agreements, and documenting your wishes. These conversations can feel uncomfortable, yet they are one of the greatest gifts you can leave to the people who may need to step in. When clients are ready, I can also connect them with trusted legal professionals who can help formalize these plans.Planning is not about rushing change. It is about preserving choice, dignity, and peace of mind. Whether the path forward is staying put, rightsizing, or simply preparing for what may come, having conversations early allows decisions to unfold with clarity rather than urgency. That, more than anything, is what helps people move forward with confidence and respect.

Visiting my dad this week, I couldn’t help but notice the snowdrops blooming in his garden, those same delicate flowers my mom used to point out, always with her words, “Spring is on its way.” Watching them now, with my own family and our own little snowdrops, I feel a quiet gratitude for the people who make life meaningful, the ones we call family, chosen or given, near or far, and the little joys that mark the seasons. Wishing everyone a Family Day full of warmth, connection, and the simple beauty around us.

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

Understanding the facts can reduce stress, open up options, and help you make confident decisions. Here are a few common myths and the truths you need to know. 

Myth: Completing the BC speculation and vacancy tax form is optional.

False! Completing the BC speculation and vacancy tax form is mandatory. You can: Fill it out online: https://www.etax.gov.bc.ca/SVT/_/  Assist someone else: Special Circumstances GuideCall for assistance: 1-833-554-2323 (toll-free, 8 am to 8 pm)

NOTE: Tax Season will be here soon enough! Know key dates for filing  If you are filing a tax return on behalf of a family member or friend. You must add a representative account to your existing CRA account to manage and have access to someone else's online tax information.Once registered, you will get a RepID that you can share with a family member or friend, so they can authorize you as their representative. Representative authorization is available to anyone who does taxes for others (not just accountants) and it helps ensure security, accountability.  More tax information here.

Myth: You must always pay your property taxes annually.

False!  Many older adults in British Columbia qualify to defer property taxes. The Office of the Seniors Advocate B.C. strongly encourages eligible homeowners (55+) to explore the low-interest Property Tax Deferment Program to ease financial strain. Many seniors are “cash-poor but home-rich,” yet only a portion take advantage of this option to help cover essentials.

Key details about the program: Eligible homeowners include those 55 and older, surviving spouses, or persons with disabilities. The program can provide meaningful financial relief,  freeing up over money for essential expenses. The interest on the deferral is set at 2% above prime, using simple interest that does not compound. Under the program, the province pays your property taxes, with repayment typically occurring when the home is sold. This program helps seniors remain comfortably in their homes without being forced to sell due to rising costs.

Myth: Reverse mortgages are always a bad idea.

False!  Reverse mortgages once had a poor reputation because early versions carried high fees and often included confusing terms. They sometimes used compounding interest, which could quickly reduce the home equity available to the homeowner, and were less regulated, leaving homeowners vulnerable if they didn’t fully understand the product. Today, reverse mortgages are safer, more transparent, and for some homeowners, a practical way to access home equity while staying comfortably at home. Modern products typically use simple interest, have clearer terms, and provide more control. As with any financial decision, the key is understanding whether it fits your situation.

Having accurate information reduces stress, facts create options, and understanding your choices makes planning easier. As part of HELM’s 55 AND BETTER process, we connect our clients with likeminded professionals who can assist, including mortgage brokers, lawyers, accountants, and senior outreach people who can provide expert guidance. Video link here 

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

Although it’s nice to be recognized with Medallion Status again, placing me among the top 10% of Realtors® in Greater Vancouver, this award is based on the number of transactions, for me as you know it’s always been about how those transactions are experienced and guided, how they are done, not how many are done. Combining this approach with a deep knowledge of the market allows me to guide clients with confidence and clarity.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist, I work primarily with older adults, often alongside their children and or entire families. The moves can be overwhelming and personal. In moments like these, the need for a trusted guide is paramount. People don’t need reassurance for reassurance’s sake; they need clarity, honesty, a trusted guide. Providing an excellent experience requires clear communication, strong systems, consistent standards, empathy, and and honest conversations.  Every transaction teaches me something. Every client teaches me something. With each experience, I refine my systems, strengthen my approach, and ensure my clients receive the level of service they deserve. I have a unique opportunity in this work, and I don’t take it lightly.

My business comes from repeat clients, word of mouth, and referrals, which I never take for granted. Hopes, dreams, and often the largest financial asset of a lifetime are at stake. That responsibility matters.

So today, I want to sincerely thank you, my clients, and your families for placing your trust in me. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your rightsizing journey.

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

January always feels like a fresh start. As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®)  I often hear from seniors and their families about tasks they have been putting off. The key to making progress is simple: start. It does not have to be everything at once or perfect. Even tackling one small thing can make a big difference.

Decluttering
If you have been meaning to declutter, why not start now? The trick is to keep it small. Add a decluttering session to your calendar like you would any other appointment. Even 15 to 30 minutes at a time can make a noticeable difference and will not feel overwhelming. If you’ve started already, great- keep going! 

Update Your Important Documents
Have you been putting off updating your will, having a power of attorney, executor in place or making sure your wishes are written down? Even small steps, like reviewing what you have or jotting down your preferences, can give you and your family peace of mind.

Explore Retirement Options Without Pressure
Have you thought about touring retirement residences yet kept putting it off? Remember, it is just window shopping. No decisions need to be made. Gathering information now simply gives you clarity for the future.

Get Real Costs for Home Support
Maybe you have been thinking about having grab bars installed, or hiring help around the house, like a gardening service or housekeeper but have not asked about costs or don’t know where to find reliable resources? Doing some homework now, interviewing companies, does not commit you to anything. Knowing the actual numbers gives you clarity, and it is information you can keep on file for later.

Start Small, Start Now
The most important part is to pick one task and complete it. That one small step can build momentum for everything else. January is the perfect time to start, whether it is decluttering a closet, booking a consultation, or noting your wishes.

Not sure where to start? You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m happy to share trusted resources and connect you with like minded professionals. I’m just a phone call away, and together we can make the process simpler, more manageable, and far less stressful, so you, your parents, or loved ones can move forward feeling prepared and confident.

As the new year begins, homeowners across the provicnce are receiving their BC Property Assessments. While these assessments play a role in determining municipal and provincial property taxes, they are not designed to reflect what your home would sell for in today’s market. Assessed values are based on limited criteria such as location, size, age, permitted additions, and comparable sales as of July 1 of the previous year, and assessors rarely visit homes in person. This means renovations, condition, layout, and maintenance are often not fully captured, and by January the data is already more than six months old.

Market value, on the other hand, reflects real-time conditions and what a buyer is willing to pay in the current market. It considers interior design and functionality, upgrades, lot characteristics, strata details, neighbourhood amenities, supply and demand, and overall buyer sentiment. While BC Assessments provide a taxation baseline, they don’t tell the full story of your home’s true value.  Check your property assessment here. To appeal and or learn more about the process you can visit their website. 

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

Over the years, I have learned that most moves, whether later in life or not are not just about real estate. They are about timing, family dynamics, independence, and peace of mind. That is exactly why I host HELM’s Rightsizing Information Sessions. These sessions are designed to create clarity, reduce stress and help people make informed decisions on their terms and timeline. 

So who are HELM’s Rightsizing Information Sessions for?

HELM’s Rightsizing Information Sessions are for anyone navigating changes in their living situation. They’re for older adults whose needs are beginning to change or have already shifted. They’re for people who want to age in place and are asking the right questions early: is it possible, and how do I do it successfully? They’re also for adult children who want to support their parents while understanding options, timing, and resources. In short, these sessions are for anyone who has questions and is looking for answers, guidance, and trusted resources to help make confident decisions.

Rightsizing is not always about moving. Sometimes the best decision is staying put and adapting the home to support changing needs. I bring both professional expertise and personal experience to these conversations. I am currently helping support my dad, who is 100 years old, yes 100, and successfully aging in place in the family home I grew up in. His journey has reinforced how powerful the right supports, resources, and planning can be when done thoughtfully.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) and award-winning Realtor, I dedicate my work to advocating for older adults and guiding them through the complexities of downsizing, or as I prefer to say, rightsizing. My experience allows me to provide tailored solutions for seniors, their families, powers of attorney, and executors. I work closely with my clients to make each step clear, coordinated, and as stress-free as possible, from early planning to the final sale. I also bring my knowledge of architecture and interior design to support clients who wish to adapt their homes safely for aging in place.

We also explore when staying in the current home is no longer the best option, and the full range of moving choices: condos, 55 plus communities, presales, and retirement residences. I help families evaluate options, understand costs and lifestyle considerations, and make decisions with confidence.

An important part of my 55 AND BETTER system is sharing how to have the hard conversations- the ones between parents and adult children, between spouses, or among family members who may not always agree. I share practical strategies and language to shift these discussions from fear and conflict to understanding and collaboration.

These sessions are intentionally inclusive. Bring your parents. Bring your adult children. Bring your friends and neighbours. The best decisions are often made when everyone has the same information and the opportunity to ask questions in a safe, supportive environment.

Beyond real estate, I am active in the community, serving as a senior outreach partner for the Polygon Gallery, a board member of the Ridge Meadows Seniors’ Network, the Housing Task Group, and the Age- and Dementia-Friendly Task Group, as well as a member of the North Vancouver Chamber and their Seniors Sector Roundtable. Combining my passion for real estate with advocacy for older adults is deeply rewarding, and my goal is simple: to share what’s possible so people can take action with confidence.

Whether you are planning for yourself or supporting someone you love, rightsizing is about choice, dignity, and planning ahead. These sessions are for you, and I am here to guide, support, and empower every step of the way. Contact me directly to learn where the next info session is.   Visit this link to learn more about our 55 AND BETTER system or call me directly.  604 730 2600 

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

I’m grateful for the year 2025- for the people I had the privilege to work with. Thank you to my clients for trusting me. Rightsizing can be emotional, complex, and deeply personal, and it’s a privilege to walk alongside older adults, their children and often entire families as their trusted advisor. As we move into the Year of the Horse, I'm excited to gallop (couldn't resist😊 ) forward, one thoughtful step at a time. Happy New Year!

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

I hear this often, and I see it firsthand with my clients who are 55 and better. Many have already spent months, sometimes years, thoughtfully decluttering and letting go of “stuff.” By the time the holidays arrive, the idea of receiving more things is not always welcomed. What they value most is not what comes in a box, but what comes with time, attention, and connection.

The holidays bring a mix of emotions. For some older adults, this season is joyful, yet for others it isn’t. Many older adults don’t want or need more things. What people, older or not, value most is connection, laughter, and shared moments with friends and family. How we spend time with people during the holidays is just one way of showing care that can continue throughout the year.

The way we greet older adults matters. Asking how they are does not always provide a happy answer. Instead, try something light and welcoming, like “Nice to see you,” “I am glad we can spend a few minutes together,” or “I have been looking forward to seeing you.” Small shifts in the way we connect make visits feel cheerful and inviting.

A short visit is often the best gift of all. Twenty minutes of conversation can mean more than anything wrapped in a box. Bring a warm smile and perhaps a small treat. Homemade or store bought holiday cookies are always welcome. If they have a pet, a small toy can be a sweet addition. A precooked meal or something they can pop into the freezer is both practical and thoughtful. If you would rather visit than cook, consider sharing a cup of coffee or tea. You can sit together for a few minutes or go for a short stroll.

A holiday plant feels cheerful and seasonal, and if you choose to bring flowers, make sure they are already in a vase so they do not have to search for one. Family photos are treasures as well. If they have a framed photo of you that is a few years old, bring a current one. This simple update shows love and presence, and the real gift is the conversation that follows and the time you spend together.

In the end, older or not, we value connection, friendship, and shared moments. A visit, a laugh, a walk, a coffee together, all of these gestures show care during the holidays and reflect the relationships we celebrate all year long. These thoughtful gestures are the gifts that stay in the heart long after the season fades.

Written by Janet Helm, Realtor® and Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) 

Many people believe the myth that there’s no rush to make decisions about their home and belongings, that everything can wait until the “right time” or a future move. In reality, waiting often leads to rushed choices, stress, and missed opportunities to preserve the things that truly matter. It’s what I call a crisis move.

Downsizing, or as most know I prefer to say, rightsizing, is often misunderstood. It is not about giving up the things you love or moving into a tiny, cramped space. Rightsizing is about simplifying and optimizing your home to better fit your lifestyle, whether you move or stay. It allows you to keep the items that matter and let go of what no longer serves you. Done thoughtfully, rightsizing creates freedom, reduces maintenance, and makes your home feel comfortable, safe, and suited to your needs.

The truth is, starting early gives you time to make thoughtful decisions at your own pace. By decluttering, gifting, and sorting through belongings now, when the time comes to move or make a change, the process feels lighter and more manageable. Rightsizing is not about rushing. It is about preparing in a way that preserves what you love and makes life simpler.

One of the often overlooked benefits of starting early is the ability to make intentional choices about your belongings. Items can be appraised, gifted to a charity that is meaningful to you, or placed somewhere they will be genuinely appreciated.

I recently visited clients and had the pleasure of meeting their daughter. As we toured the home together, she noticed a couple of old cookie tins and exclaimed, “Ahhh, those were Gramma’s, I remember those!” Her mother asked if she wanted them. I got to witness a beautiful moment between a daughter and her mother, all sparked by old cookie tins. In a crisis move, those tins may have been thrown out. It is rarely the monetary value of items that matters, but the memories and connections they carry.

Crisis moves often lead to decisions being made on someone else’s behalf, treasured items lost, or possessions sent to places where they are not valued. Rightsizing allows you to maintain control and dignity, ensuring that the things you care about are handled with care.

Starting early also creates opportunities to share meaningfully with family and friends. Gifting items gradually can create new memories and allow others to enjoy something special. Thoughtful preparation removes the pressure when lifestyle changes occur and transforms the process into an empowering experience rather than a stressful one.

In the end, rightsizing is not about loss. It is about making your home and life fit you better. Do not wait until a crisis forces decisions. Begin now, take your time, and focus on what truly matters. The process is manageable, meaningful, and even enjoyable when approached thoughtfully.