Pete and I knew well in advance that we would become empty nesters in the fall of 2022. We had talked about purchasing a lakefront property for years. He grew up in Florida and his desire to be near the water on a daily basis could not be denied. We decided we would own two properties for quite some time but gradually retire to a lake community to enjoy life during this next chapter. As the summer of 2019 approached, he began to look at homes (on-line) that were within 3 hours of our primary home. We knew our budget, our timeline and had lived in enough homes throughout his military career to know precisely what we were looking for. We had a vision in mind, a dream we could make happen. We were on the same page, moving forward and excited about what these next several years of life would bring.

And then my real estate career took off.

I knew we had to have a pivotal conversation in which I told him that I wanted to alter our life plan. I did not want to take care of two homes. I didn’t want to spend my weekends at a lake home. I loved my job. I loved my current home, local friends and the location I was in.

I didn’t want to leave on the weekends. Weekends are a prime time for my job and leaving town would limit my ability to help others. He was shocked and dismayed to say the least. This had been the plan, our plan.

But he also understood and knew that I had followed him everywhere for years, his career in the military. His passion of being a pilot and my support for him and our kids was the yin and yang and it worked!

So, we sat in this indecision for about a year and then one day he said to me “What if I bought a boat?”

Fast forward to 2020, we purchased a boat and she is docked at DuSable Harbor – Navy Pier. We have never looked back. He has his “lake home” and loves it! I have my career and love it! I join him on the boat every night of the summer. He supports me with all of my real estate endeavors.

Pete and I are NOT empty nesters. We are FreeNesters! We are thoughtful, decisive and motivated to make the most out of this time. We recognize this time in our lives as OURS!

Everyone’s story is just a little bit different BUT purposeful real estate decisions at this time are critical. Right size your home/living circumstances AND your life.