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Let's Get Started!

You’re about to begin the Stay or Go Planning System, a simple, step-by-step process designed to help you decide whether staying in your home or transitioning to a retirement community is the best path for your future.

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This process will guide you through the 5 steps of the Stay or Go Framework:

Vision → Reality → Options → Confidence → Decision

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Each step builds on the one before it — helping you organize your thoughts, evaluate your situation, and move forward with greater clarity.

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There are no right or wrong answers.

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The goal is simple:

To help you move forward with clarity, certainty, and confidence.​​​​​

​​​This Planning System is designed to help you think through every aspect of your decision.
You can complete as much or as little as you’d like—there’s no right or wrong way to go through it.

Along the way, we’ll explore:

  • Your health and support network

  • Your main concerns and what may be keeping you “on the fence”

  • Your vision for the future

  • A self-evaluation of your homeownership

  • What you’re looking for in a retirement community

  • Your priorities when comparing different options

  • Your home value and potential capital gains considerations

  • A high-level financial view of what you can afford

  • And ultimately, helping you move toward a confident decision

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Again—you don’t have to complete everything.
The goal is simply to help you gain clarity, one step at a time.

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Once you've completed the questionnaire, we will use your answers to create your personalized Stay or Go Clarity Report which will summarize your responses.  It is designed to help you better understand your situation and can also serve as a helpful starting point for conversations with your family, financial advisor, or other trusted professionals.

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This process usually takes about 10–15 minutes to complete.

Before we begin, enter your name and a few basic details so we can personalize your experience.

You’re in control—complete as much or as little as you’d like.

Health and Support Network (Friends, Family and Neighbors)

Can Support Me?
Can Support Me?
Can Support Me?

My main concerns are:

Select all that apply

A Quick Check-In

When you think about making a housing transition, how do you feel? (Check all that apply.)

What you’re feeling isn’t a problem — it’s information.

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The Fence

Many homeowners find themselves sitting on what I like to call “the fence.” The fence represents the space between staying and going. It often feels like the safest place to sit because it allows people to postpone the decision. When you are on the fence, you don’t have to commit to anything yet. But over time, the fence can quietly create stress. People think about the decision again and again. They gather information. They talk with friends. Then they set the decision aside for a while. Later the thoughts return, and the cycle repeats itself.

Are you stuck on the fence for any of these reasons?:

STEP 1 of 5: VISION Exercise: The Postcard from the future

It’s time to look forward. You can’t leave your dreams and decisions to chance. If you don’t have a clear picture of where you see yourself in 10-15 years, you’ll end up wherever life throws you. We need a pro-active meaningful plan, not a reactive mystery plan. Let’s create a roadmap so that you can make the best decisions for your future!

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We’re going to define what is most important to you so that when you need to make difficult decisions, you’ll pick the best option that matches your vision of the future, not just your present moment impulse.

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Take some time to yourself to clear your mind of all the craziness in the world. This is the most important part of your Stay Or Go Journey. Think about what you love and what makes you feel fulfilled. This will help us gain some clarity and purpose for the next chapter in your life.

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Let’s have some fun fantasizing about what a perfect day/life looks like for you. Grab a pad of paper, a glass of wine, coffee or tea and get comfortable.  Close your eyes and picture yourself at some point in the future (5 or 10 years down the line), fully living your dream and fulfilling your purpose everyday.  Engage all of your senses. Describe what you experience as you move through your days and weeks.

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Write down some bullet points and then turn that into a written story format. Be sure to state everything in the present tense and keep it positive. Focus on pleasant images and describe what you see as though it were happening right now.

 

Where are you? What does it look, sound and feel like? What are you doing? Who is with you? What do you need so that every day is joyful? What must you avoid to be happy? Pack it with passion! Make it authentic, grand, optimistic and wondrous!

 

By the end of this exercise you can put it all together into a comprehensive picture so that you can make decisions and create the steps that will take you toward this satisfying future. These compelling images will motivate you, keep you energized and give you a target to shoot for.

 

And best of all, this exercise will help you make the best decisions for your future, whether you are staying or going.

Click on all of the things you want MORE of in your life
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Click on all of the things you want LESS of in your life
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STEP 2 of 5: REALITY Exercise: Understanding Your Homeownership

Let’s see how balanced you are:

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​Self-Evaluation Instructions:
1)  Answer 5 questions, in each of the 5 categories.


2)  Add up the number of YES answers and score the number at the bottom of each.

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3) On the Clarity report, the system will automatically plot your scores on the wheel.

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4) It will then connect the points to show how balanced your wheel is (or isn’t).

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Evaluating Your Financial Position:

I know exactly what my monthly income and expenses are:
I am cash flow positive every month (maintenance & emergencies):
I have an investment portfolio to support my long-term needs:
I have liquid funds to pay for in-home care services ($6K-$20K/Mo.):
I have a formal written financial plan that spells out my future:

Evaluating Your Physical (Health and Social) Position:

My health is good and will stay relatively the same for the next 5-10 years:
I stay physically and mentally active on a regular basis:
I have a strong social life and engage in meaningful activities:
I still enjoy cooking, driving, and doing things on my own:
I can relocate to any area without ties to my doctor(s):

Evaluating Your Personal (Support Network) Position:

I live with someone or have a consistent companion:
My close family or adult children live nearby:
Local friends, family, or neighbors are willing to care for me:
I feel emotionally supported and socially connected:
I can relocate without ties to my friends, groups, hobbies

Evaluating Your Trust & Taxes Position:

I have a current living trust and estate plan in place:
I have reviewed my trust in the past 5 years:
I know how the title is held to my home
I know what to do when/if a co-owner passes away:
I have a list of home upgrades and the costs for tax purposes:

Evaluating Your Real Estate (Functionally) Position:

My home is in excellent condition and doesn’t need major repairs:
I love my home’s layout and how it fits my lifestyle today:
I can afford to maintain my home without stress:
My home has been upgraded for safety
My home has a downstairs bedroom and full bath:

STEP 3 of 5: OPTIONS: Exploring Your Available Paths

Now that you’ve thought about your future and evaluated your current situation, it’s time to explore your options.

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Many homeowners believe they only have two choices — stay in their home or move to a retirement community — but there are many possibilities in between.

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This step will help you explore and begin narrowing down the paths that may best support your future.

In reality, there are several different living options — each offering different levels of independence, support, and lifestyle.

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Your decision isn’t simply about staying or moving — it’s about choosing the type of lifestyle and level of support that best fits your future.

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Retirement communities are designed to support different stages of life and levels of independence. They generally fall into the following categories:

 

  1. 55+ Active Adult Communities

  2. Independent Living & Assisted Living Communities

  3. Skilled Nursing Facilities

  4. Memory Care Communities

  5. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)

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Each option offers a different combination of housing, services, and care — allowing you to choose what best supports your lifestyle today, while also planning for the future.

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Now, let’s take a look at which of these options you’d like to explore further.

3A: Let us know more about the community you seek:​

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Don't get overwhelmed, just answer what you can so we can recommend some ideal communities for you.

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Which Type of Senior Living Communities Interest you? Select all that apply:

24-hour medical care and rehabilitation available on-site.

Secure, specialized care for memory-related conditions.

Daily support with care, meals, and personal assistance.

Maintenance-free lifestyle for active, self-sufficient seniors.

Social, active living for independent adults age 55+.

Multiple care levels in one community for lifelong support.​

Month to Month / Buy In Fee

One-time payment securing lifetime residency and care.

Flexible contract—stay or leave with short notice.

Guarantees housing if funds run out later in life.​​

The resident purchases and owns their unit within the community.

Ownership Type:

Reinvests earnings into resident care and community.

Privately owned; profits support investors or operators.

Select the counties you would like to check for communities
Short wait list within how many months or years:

NOTE: Community availability may vary.

Preferred Building Type(s):
What type of unit and how many bedrooms will you need?
External Neighborhood:
Secured Parking
Do you need a Swimming Pool?

3B: Prioritize Your Community Criteria

Part two is NOT mandatory, but this quick activity helps you identify EXACTLY what matters most when choosing your future community. You’ll go through some short comparisons between features (like “Covered Parking” vs. “Short Wait List”) and choose which one feels more important. 
When answering, think: "If you could only have ONE, what would it be"?
 

Your answers will help us — and you — find the communities that best fit your needs and priorities. It only takes about five minutes, and it might seem crazy, but just play it out, trust your instincts, and make the choices that really matter most to you.

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đź’­ If you can only choose one, what would it be:

Comparison 1 of 21

⚖️ Just a quick tie-breaker to help us understand your priorities better.

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STEP 4: CONFIDENCE Building Clarity Through Your Options and Finances

At this point, you may have a sense of what direction you’re leaning — but now it’s important to understand what is financially possible.
 

This step will help you evaluate your home’s current market value, possible capital gains tax considerations and how much equity may be available for future housing or care.

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Clarity around your finances leads to confidence in your decisions.

Step 4A (Home Value & Taxes) is not mandatory. But if you’re planning to sell your home you'll need to know the current value and potential proceeds after Capital Gains Taxes.  This will help us build your Stay or Go Clarity Report and give you the information you need to speak with your family, the community sales directors, and your financial planner.

Disclaimer: Brian Schwatka is not a CPA or financial planner; the figures provided are estimates only and intended for general informational purposes—please consult your tax or financial professional for specific advice.

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How many primary residents are currently on title? Note: Each resident who is on title is entitled to a $250,000 capital gains exemption (which increases your basis)

Part 4B (Your financial roadmap) is not mandatory. But this section will help us build your Stay or Go Clarity Report and give you a longevity report and the information you need to speak with your family, the community sales directors, and your financial planner.  It will give you a clearer picture of what’s financially comfortable for you.​

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Note: If there are two homeowners, please combine the information for both owners when answering the questions below. For example, if both receive Social Security income, enter the combined total for both owners.

Think savings, 401(k)s, IRAs, stocks, bonds, and other investments or assets. Your best estimate is fine.

Think Social Security, pension, retirement withdrawals, rental income, investment income, and other regular income.

Think property taxes, homeowners insurance, utilities, HOA dues, maintenance, and other regular home costs.

Think groceries, healthcare, transportation, insurance, entertainment, travel, gifts, and other everyday expenses.

We'll use your choice only as an estimate for your Financial Roadmap. Actual investment returns will vary.

STEP 5 of 5: DECISION: Let’s help you feel confident to take the next step

You’ve taken the time to think about your future, evaluate your current situation, explore your options, and understand your financial picture.
 

Now it’s time to bring everything together.
 

This step is not about making a perfect decision — it’s about gaining enough clarity to confidently take your next step forward.

Part 1: Reflection

Based on everything you’ve just worked through, how are you feeling about your situation right now? (Choose the one that best describes you)

Part 2: Direction

Which direction are you currently leaning?

Part 3: Confidence Level

How confident do you feel about your next step?

PART 4: — NEXT STEP

What would you like to do next?

Not ready to complete this online?


You can download the Stay or Go Workbook and start thinking through these questions at your own pace.

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When you're ready, you can come back and complete the full Planning System online.

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." - Proverbs 16:9

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