A registered nurse in her 60s is exhausted with her demanding profession. In pursuit of a lifestyle that allows for more leisure, she aspires to sell her split-level in Des Moines in favor of a condo near her grown daughter in Tampa. But the task of prepping her house for sale feels overwhelming.

“I always knew I had organizational challenges. But that was confirmed when I finally got a diagnosis of ADHD. Still, I refuse to let disorganization limit my plans to sell my house and move to my happy place in Florida,” the nurse says.

Linda S. Anderson, the owner of an life-coahing firm called “Getting Clear,” (gettingclear.com), doesn’t know the nurse in this true story. But she’s coached many adults who are equally perplexed when facing a major multistep project like home selling.

“My clients with executive function problems say staying focused is like trying to herd cats. ADHD means it’s hard to initiate, plan and pursue projects in a methodical, step-by-step manner,” Anderson says.

Poor executive function can also be an issue for many who’ve suffered brain injuries or post-traumatic stress disorder. It’s a problem among people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well.

As an ADD coach, Anderson has worked with many adults who are facing the challenge of planning and executing a home sale. The to-do list is long for owners who want (or need) to sell.

Choosing the right listing agent is just the first step. Sellers must also decide how much to ask for the home and complete the often-demanding process of decluttering the place and ensuring it’s in good repair. In addition, there’s the move itself.

“When they move, those with (executive function struggles) face a tough road unless they connect with people who can keep them on track,” says Anderson, a past president of the Attention Deficit Disorder Association (add.org), which serves adults with ADD.

A well-trained organizational coach can help people tackling a big project to create an overall plan and then break the plan into a sequence of small and manageable pieces. But for those who can’t afford to hire a professional in the field, Anderson says the right relative can also be very helpful.

“Find a relative who will sit in the seat next to you to help develop your plan. Also, ask them to check in with you periodically to stay on track and adjust your timeline,” Anderson says.

Here are a few pointers for sellers:

-- Find the support you need to progress toward your goal.

Elisa Adams, a professional organizer who’s worked with many home sellers, says people with ADD should be careful whom they ask for help.

“The last thing you want is someone who is critical or judgmental,” says Adams, who’s affiliated with the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (napo.net).

By visiting this association’s website, you can search for organizers in your area who are skilled in assisting clients with executive function issues. Another way to locate a coach is through the online consulting firm of Terry Matlen, a Michigan-based therapist who focuses on female clients.

If you need more help, Matlen, the author of “The Queen of Distraction: How Women with ADHD Can Conquer Chaos, Find Focus, and Get More Done,” suggests you post an ad to hire someone who is naturally organized—perhaps a retired person or a college student. This person could help you both create a game plan and provide hands-on assistance with the process of decluttering your property and pre-packing for your move.

-- Build on your strengths.

Even after the project is broken down into small pieces, people with executive function issues must beware of time-consuming digressions. One way to do this is to turn off your phones and shut down your email, at least until you’ve completed the task at hand, such as culling through books on your shelves.

Anderson suggests you take frequent breaks during a laborious task, such as a painting job. To help avoid burnout, use a kitchen timer and give yourself a brief break when it goes off.

“To keep on track, you need to pat yourself on the back every time you make progress toward your goal ... give yourself rewards along the way,” she says.

-- Ensure you allow ample time for any multistep project.

In setting a schedule for the tasks involved in your housing transition, Anderson advises that you set rational, reasonable deadlines and not try to fit too much into any given day.

Besides the customary to-do list, one tool Anderson likes is an accompanying “not to do list.” By reducing the expectations you set for yourself, you could also reduce your anxiety level and accomplish more.

On a day when you have to prune shrubbery throughout your yard, for example, you’d be wise to place unrelated tasks -- like shopping for groceries or washing the car—on your “not to do list.”

Lastly, always remember that house-selling is stressful endeavor. “Don’t think you’re alone in your struggle to complete a major project like a house sale. Our society is full of compelling distractions, and folks are busy. So, remember there are many people with strong executive function skills who still find it challenging to manage a big housing transition,” she says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Heading into the presidential election last fall, there was great hope that mortgage rates would descend, easing the way for aspiring homeowners to finally acquire and finance a property. But lately, the reverse is happening.

With weakness in the economy, mortgage rates have risen. Meanwhile, prices for many goods, including imports, have started to ascend. The result is what economists say might result in “stagflation,” which may also involve more unemployment.

A 36-year-old IT specialist who lives in Salt Lake City has never experienced stagflation firsthand, though his parents recall the gas lines and inflationary shocks that occurred back in the 1970s. Long an apartment renter, he’s determined to work around the nation’s economic woes to buy a house.

“Right now, I’m considering an adjustable-rate mortgage, which would be a bit cheaper than one of those plain old fixed-rate ones. My job seems stable, which should help me qualify,” the IT specialist says.

Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are inherently riskier than fixed-rate loans because their rates can climb after a few years rather than stay stable for a full 15-30 years. Still, more buyers are contemplating ARMs, says Mike Fratantoni, chief economist at the Mortgage Bankers Association (mba.org).

“Given the jump in rates, more borrowers are opting for the lower initial rates that come with an ARM,” Fratantoni says.

Of course, there are some wannabe homeowners who would rather sit out the current period of economic uncertainty than push ahead now, given that the tariffs on foreign imports could have unpredictable results.

“A lot of buyers, especially first-timers, are backing off because they’re nervous about a potential recession. Some house hunters are hanging out on the sidelines because they’re hopeful mortgage rates will come down soon,” says Venus Martinez, a Redfin real estate agent in Los Angeles.

Here are a few pointers for novice buyers:

-- Put a priority on getting your credit credentials in order.

Potential buyers can use the internet to scrutinize their credit reports and look for blemishes that need fixing. Under federal law, you're entitled to one free credit report from the three large credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Just go to this website: annualcreditreport.com.

But Ashley Richardson, an agent for Sotheby’s, says there’s no substitute for determining your mortgage eligibility by visiting a reputable lender.

“Many people will attest to the benefits of having a strong and supportive mortgage lender on your side to both educate you and help you set a borrowing ceiling,” she says.

Going through the preapproval process will also give you your FICO scores. Such scores, which draw on data from the credit bureaus, provide lenders with a quantitative measure of a person's credit risk. Many lenders use FICO scores, pioneered by the Fair Isaac Corp.

Sometimes, first-time buyers are surprised at how large a mortgage they can obtain, given their income and credit standing. But when choosing a property, Richardson urges caution.

“Remember that you have more reasons to stay within your budget than does the lending industry. You know more about your spending patterns and requirements than your loan rep. Families with many special needs, such as a child who needs private schooling, should be especially careful,” she says.

Also, she urges buyers who are single to be particularly careful not to overspend on a home. The reason is that they’re more financially vulnerable than couples who have two jobs on which to depend.

-- Consider a home that could give you rental income in the future.

Tom Early, a real estate broker and former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org) says “co-housing” has become an increasingly common way to offset mortgage costs.

“Co-housing can include the increasingly popular multigenerational housing that often has parents and grandparents sharing mortgage costs,” Early says.

What kind of home should you shop for if you plan to rent out a room? He says you’ll ideally find a place with a bedroom suite that includes a private bathroom, so a housemate could live more autonomously. A separate, outside entrance to the suite is also an attractive feature for potential renters.

-- Avoid an “energy hog” house.

After taking ownership, many young adults who are buying for the first time are surprised and alarmed by the size of their utility bills.

Many costs associated with homeownership -- such as taxes and insurance -- are unavoidable. Still, Early says buyers can more easily contain their utility costs by selecting an energy-efficient property that’s well insulated and has double-pane windows.

“Face the facts that utility costs will likely never go down, no matter what you hear from hopeful environmentalists about alternate sources of energy generation,” Early says.

Also, make sure you listen to the home inspector you hire relative to the quality of insulation in a property you’re considering and the energy ratings of its windows. He estimates that double-pane windows can save you as much as 15% to 20% on your utility bills compared with single pane windows.

“A good home inspector will tell you honestly if a house you’re planning to purchase will destroy your budget with high utility costs,” Early says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Demographers call our current period “Peak 65.” That’s because each day 11,400 Americans turn 65, more than any other time in the nation’s history, according to U.S. Census data.

More than half of these rising elders plan to keep their properties and not sell, according to a 2024 study by Clever Real Estate, an agency headquartered in St. Louis. But among those who intend to move are a minority who wish they’d done so sooner.

Take the case of a nearly retired couple of teachers in Memphis who’ve owned a 4,500-square-foot farmhouse-style place since 1994. Their house has tripled in value since they bought it. They’d planned to sell during the pandemic, but delayed due to health concerns. Now they worry it’s too late to get the premium their place would have commanded when available homes were in short supply in their high-income suburb.

“We want out of Memphis in favor of Arizona. But we messed up our timing. There are now a lot more properties seeking buyers in our area, including in our own cul-de-sac. So probably we’ll have to discount our place to cash out and cover our living costs in Arizona,” the husband says.

Statistics from the real estate firm Zillow show there are an abundance of unsold properties on the Memphis metro market, and most linger for many days before going under contract, often at price discounts.

“We’ve loved Memphis for its Southern charm, live music and low living costs. But we prefer Arizona for the dry climate and close distance to our grandkids, who live in Scottsdale,” the husband says.

A few weeks ago, there were high hopes for a real estate recovery that would enhance sellers’ hopes in cities such as Memphis. But mainly due to tariff wars and stock market turbulence, the springtime housing market is not as robust as expected. That’s translated to relatively fewer buyers than the teachers anticipated.

“While affordability remains incredibly challenging, the housing market is improving for buyers nationally. Some of the strongest (buyer’s) markets are in the Southeast, where builders have been able to keep up with demand,” says Orphe Divounguy, a senior economist at Zillow.

Still, a slower market for Memphis won’t stop the teachers from pursuing their dream of a move to Arizona. They simply want to make the most of their Memphis sale.

Here are a few pointers for springtime home sellers.

-- Give your place allure with a professional home stager.

Staging is the art of transforming a property so potential buyers can visualize themselves living there. Properly done, staging accentuates a home’s attractive features and minimizes its drawbacks.

Many real estate agents are convinced that hiring a talented stager can increase the odds of selling a property promptly. Working under a full-service contract, most stagers will provide an array of services. They remove excess furniture and personal items and rearrange the remaining pieces. Often, they also supplement the owners’ furnishings with eye-catching accessories of their own.

Regrettably, the cost of hiring a professional stager for a full menu of services for a large home can run $500 or more and exceed the amount many sellers can afford, says Michelle Minch, owner of a staging company called Moving Mountains Design (movingmountainsdesign.com).

But Minch says cash-constrained sellers don’t necessarily need the full range of services available through a stager. For a much lower price, perhaps around $200, they can obtain an abbreviated consultation and receive pointers they can execute themselves.

“Tell the stager you just want the top 10 tips for making your house look better. For just an hour or so of consultation time, a good stager can tell you about furniture arrangement and also recommend mild, pleasing paint colors for your walls. You’ll get a roadmap for making your house move-in ready,” she says.

How can you find a competent stager who will work on an “a la carte” basis? Minch suggests you visit the website of the Real Estate Staging Association (realestatestagingassociation.com).

-- Explore the idea of a “home selling” party with friends.

Often, the owners of a home that’s lingered on the market will pressure their listing agents to conduct several public open houses. That way they hope to increase their odds of selling promptly.

But Lisa Atkinson, a longtime real estate agent in Virginia, says traditional open houses rarely lead to a sale.

“Occasionally, according to a 2024 study by Clever Real Estate, an agency headquartered in St. Louis you’ll get nosy neighbors who happen to mention your property to someone they know who’s in the market. But in my experience, that’s extremely uncommon,” says Atkinson, who’s affiliated with the Residential Real Estate Council (crs.com).

A better way to ignite renewed interest in your place is to throw a “home-selling party,” inviting close friends and relatives.

“In any case, the party can help revive your excitement about your home-selling goal,” Atkinson says.

-- Request that your listing agent “talk up” your place.

“Strong agents will respond to your request to step up informal marketing of your place by spreading the word. They’ll make personal phone calls to other agents. They’ll also take flyers about your house to their professional meetings and hand them out. This way you should get more people over to visit your house,” Atkinson says.

Your listing agent may have done this kind of one-on-one marketing for your property when it was first listed. But if your house has been sitting unsold for longer than you’d like, it might be time to ask your agent to do another round of this informal promotion.

“By alerting other agents to your property, your listing agent will enhance your chances of finding a buyer,” Atkinson says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)