Have headlines and horror stories convinced you that it is impossible to sell your house right now? Times have changed and the market is competitive, but with a savvy real estate agent and the right price, a successful sale is within reach.

Case in point: Monarch Landing resident Raymond Nerhus and his wife, Astrid, sold their Naperville duplex in just three weeks.

When the couple made the decision to move to Monarch Landing, they gained access to Erickson Realty & Moving Services, a free program through which new residents can access a suite of services to assist them in selling their houses.

Monarch Landing’s Personal Moving Consultant Brenda Weaver met with the Nerhuses and provided them with referrals to knowledgeable and experienced real estate professionals who have successfully helped other residents close sales.

Mr. Nerhus said he and his wife had already done some work on the house prior to putting it on the market, so it was in good condition and nicely decorated. But, he says, Weaver was able to provide them with a few staging and decluttering tips, like removing personal items and family photos—small changes that make a property stand out from the competition in a tough market where buyers want to be able to visualize the home as their own.

“The Nerhuses were a wonderful couple to work with,” Weaver says. “They listened to the staging advice that I and their preferred real estate agent gave them.”

If the price is right

Of course, it’s not just the condition and décor of a house that matter. In today’s market, proper pricing can mean the difference between a speedy sale and months of poorly attended open houses, Weaver says. That’s why she works with prospective Monarch Landing residents and their agents to help them identify the right price that will bring in buyers, while still reflecting the value of the property. Based on her knowledge of the real estate market, Weaver says she did advise the Nerhuses to drop their price a bit.

“When it came time to choose a listing price, they of course wanted more, like everyone does when they try to sell their home,” Weaver says. “They were, however, realistic and listened to the advice of their preferred real estate agent. This combination of pricing right and decluttering made for a quick sale.”

Smooth moves

Once the house sold, Weaver was still nearby to help the Nerhuses with their move to Monarch Landing. She referred them to a moving company that handles many residents’ moves, and she assisted them with designing floor plans to arrange furniture in their new Monarch Landing apartment home.

Now the couple is settled in their new home, and Mr. Nerhus says he and his wife are “delighted.” They chose a Patterson-style apartment home, which features two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, dining room, and sunroom.

“We’re very much at home here,” Mr. Nerhus says. “We moved from six rooms and a basement into here, and almost all of our furniture fit.”

When they are not spending quality time together in their apartment home, he and his wife are enjoying getting to know their new neighbors.

“The staff is beautiful here,” he says, “and the residents are lovely people.”

Monarch Landing is an Erickson retirement community in Naperville, Illinois. Erickson manages a network of 19 communities nationwide that combine a maintenance-free, active lifestyle with social activities, amenities, and medical offerings proven to improve both physical and mental health.