| There's an old saying that "Many hands make light work" and the proof of that statement can be found at the heart of a new business called "Marsha's Helping Hands". The business offers a broad spectrum of moving and home-related services to help in the process of relocation in a caring and thoughtful way. More importantly, it relieves the stress that's so often associated with moving. With "Marsha's Helping Hands", a homeowner's transition to a new chapter in their lives is eased to the point where it's almost a pleasure.
The new company is the brainchild of local entrepreneur Marsha Silverberg, the owner/operator and founder of an established real estate staging company, "The First Impression". Silverberg, a certified staging professional (CSP) got the inspiration for her latest business endeavor when she saw the many challenges faced by her home staging clients. Many of her clients were seniors who used her staging services when they put their home up for sale -- a home that they had built memories in for the better part of a lifetime. They were overwhelmed by the physical and highly emotional tasks required for a major move. The home staging process helped with one important aspect of that process, but Silverberg quickly realized that it takes a lot of steps and a lot of people to dismantle a family home and move into a much smaller residence or retirement home. Out of that realization, "Marsha's Helping Hands" was born.
"These special people were in need of much more than a home stager," confirms Marsha. "They needed human contact to help them with an enormously stressful and physically demanding transition. There was a common thread to most of these seniors; they all had a similar story. They were sometimes alone, often frightened and always overwhelmed. They needed someone they could trust to help take some of the burden of this process off their shoulders. And to do it in a sensitive, caring way. That's where I come in."
"Marsha's Helping Hands" is a unique, dignified and compassionate Home Transition ServiceTM that can assist with every aspect of closing down one home and moving to another. Marsha comes into the client's home, gets to know them and learn their individual needs and then comes up with a suggested service approach. There are four distinct stages of the home transition process: Preparation, Home Sale, Moving and Settling In. With a team of hand-chosen staff to draw upon, "Marsha's Helping Hands" can be there to help with all or any part of the transition process. The company's menu-driven services allow the clientele to choose only those services they want, when they want.
Preparation -- you can't do it right without a plan
The first stage in the process is Preparation -- which involves getting both the home and the client ready for the transition. "I come into the client's home and with great sensitivity, help them choose and pack up their belongings," says Marsha. "The selection process is very important, because the homeowner is usually moving to much smaller premises. They need to be able to make smart decisions about what's going to suit their new surroundings and their new lifestyle after the move. Here's where my experience comes in. I can really help them make informed choices about what to take, and what to leave behind. If it's a move to a retirement home, I can even tour the premises and get a floor plan, or I can work to measurements. I'll know what there's going to be room for and what can fit where."
Of course, deciding what comes along on the move is just part of the process. "Once we've established what comes with them in the move, then we can decide on the other belongings," Marsha explains. "I can manage the selling of clothes, furniture, jewelry and artwork. If certain belongings need packing to go to another location, such as the family member's home or a homeless shelter, I can help there too. If home repairs or clean-up are required before the home can be put up for sale, I have a team of trusted professionals to help us with those tasks, too. Throughout the process, I'll be there to provide reassurance and put the client's mind at ease.
Home Sale -- helping to get the best possible result
The second step in the process is Home Sale -- if the client needs help in putting the home on the resale market, Silverberg is certainly up to the task. Depending on the client's needs, this may involve finding the right real estate lawyer or listing the property with a trusted and proven real estate company that knows the local market area. If necessary, she can even arrange for 'home-sitting', landscaping or pool maintenance services while the home is on the market to ensure that the grass is cut, lawns watered, walkways stay swept and the pool is opened to entire potential buyers. Then, to get the best possible price in the shortest amount of time, the client may decide to professionally stage their property. This is where Marsha Silverberg can really shine! With the decorating flair that comes from 10 years experience in the fashion industry, and years of running her own successful home staging company, The First Impression, Marsha knows how to show a home off to its best advantage.
Moving -- big help for the big day!
If the client wants help through the next step in the process, "Marsha's Helping Hands" can assist with the actual move too. This may involve services such as getting quotes from different reliable moving companies, deciding on the number of staff, extra equipment, packing materials and more. Marsha can even handle such details as contacting the client's home insurance company to ensure that insurance coverage is in place to protect valuables during the moving process or booking the freight elevator at the new condo for move-in day!
Another important part of any move is the transfer of utilities and services. Mail has to be forwarded to the new address. Telephone, internet service and cable or satellite TV have to be cancelled at the current address, and possibly arranged for the new location. Home insurance must be cancelled on the residence and contents coverage revised to cover only the client's remaining belongings. Property service contracts such as snow removal or lawn maintenance must be terminated. Utilities such as oil, gas, water and hydro have to be notified of the ownership changeover and date. Once again, "Marsha's Helping Hands" is ready and able to help make moving a hassle-free experience.
In addition to the transfer of home services, the company can also help clients with their more personal needs. "We can help them with cancelling magazing subscriptions and club memberships if that's necessary," Marsha continues. "We'll help them get change of address notifications out to allt he people and companies they do business with. We can even arrange for their personal transportation on moving day, for the client and for their pets. There's really no limit to the type and number of services we can provide. The client knows there's nothing we haven't thought of and that gives them tremendous peace of mind."
Settling In -- and making the new home their own
With detailed preparation behind it, the fourth stage in the home transition process -- settling in -- is normally a smooth, calm and unflustered experience. As with the old saying, "There is a place for everything, and everything's in its place!"
There's no end to the level of customized, caring service that "Marsha's Helping Hands" can provide to help the client feel at homein their new residence. If there's any decorating to be done at the new residence, Marsha's design flair and staging expertise will have the new place feeling like home in record time.
High praise from industry professionals
"Marsha has 'hit' on a business that will have great value in the future for seniors and anyone who needs help in moving and dealing with items that they are not taking with them," says Rick Hamilton, Broker of Record for Coldwell Banker Southlake Realty, Brokerage, in Newmarket. "Canada's demographics clearly illustrate that we have a rapidly-aging population. A business that takes away the stress that older folks must have when making tough decisions is realy needed in today's relocation industry. There's a definite niche for this kind of caring, thoughtful service, and Marsha is ably equipped to provide it.
Perhaps one of the greatest testimonials to the value of the service provided by "Marsha's Helping Hands" is the fact that the company's services have recently been contracted by a local retirement facility. The retirement home includes Marsha's services as part of their relocation package for incoming residents. "I think the fact that my services meet the stringent requirements of a retirement residence says a lot about my company," says Marsha. "When you know that I can satisfy the needs of a large professional organization dealing with dozens of relocating retirees, you feel secure that I'll do the job right for individual clients."
A wide-open market for home transition services
Of course, while working with seniors was the original inspiration for "Marsha's Helping Hands" , the Home Transition ServiceTM is certainly not limited to working with the elderly. The company offers a welcome service to distressed people who need help transitioning themselves or someone else to a new residence. It's a valuable resource for any individual who needs help, and whose family or friends may not be available to particiapte in their transition. It's particularly appreciated if either the homeowner or their family members are restricted by physical limitations or long distances. "They know they can rely on us to deliver friendly and efficient service," says Marsha. "Marsha's will work with the client in a respectful manner to turn a most difficult time into what can be an almost pleasant experience. A smooth transition into a new home and alleviating any fears is how we measure success."
"Working with older adults is very fulfilling because they have so much life experience to share. Their needs are sometimes overlooked in our fast-paced society, so one of the pleasures on my work is to make them feel cherished and cared for," Marsha explains. "Yet while the empathy needs to be there, we never lose sight of the fact tha tour services must still be efficient and cost-effective to better serve our clients. My expertise as a professionally-trained home stager and my many contacts in the wholesale business help me deliver on that front."
The company currently services the needs of clients throughout the GTA, from Barrie and Midland to the north, Pickering to the easy and Etobicoke to the West. The company's pricing structure varies greatly, depending on the needs of each individual client. "It could range from something as simple as $150 for a home visit to assess needs, to $600 for packing and unpacking services, or $1,500 for a more comprehensive service package," explains Marsha. "Every customer is different, so we prepare a customized quote for the needs of each situation."
"Change is a sure thing; like death and taxes," concludes Marsha. "And at some point in our lives, that includes changing homes. With my B.A. in psychology, my warm heart, my compassionate soul and as a daughter to Holocaust survivors, I feel I'm well equipped to not only understand but to empathize with the special needs of the elderly and all my customers. Whether they're seniors, physically challenged, or even just busy professionals like me, there are so many people out there today who feel overwhelmed by the demands of transitioning from one home to another. We're there to help, every step of the way."
With "Marsha's Helping Hands", there's reason to applaud -- the home transition process just got a whole lot easier!
| For more information on Marsha's Helping Hands, please call Marsha at (647)886-5437 or e-mail us. |
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