Sarasota, FL · 34 years of ownership
Jim and Linda Morrison
A 34-year Sarasota home sells in five weeks after a structured 12-week prep, with Florida Save Our Homes portability preserving $14,000/year of assessed-value savings on the next purchase.
“We thought we’d be in that house forever. The structured weekends made it possible to actually make the decision — instead of drifting another five years.”
— Linda Morrison
Starting position
Jim (71) and Linda (68) Morrison had owned their four-bedroom Sarasota home for 34 years. Two children raised, both now in Minneapolis. $74,000 of remaining mortgage against a $1.2M+ market value.
The blocker
Emotional attachment to the home plus anxiety about thinning 34 years of belongings. Two prior agent conversations felt premature.
The Shift-Score process
Initial score: 67 (Actively Planning). Blueprint recommended pausing on agent introduction until they completed the 30-day decision checklist. Four weekends produced a clear chapter paragraph and a shortlist of two Florida destinations plus a Minneapolis option.
Prep and sale
Matched with Maria Santos. 12 weeks of prep with senior move manager Karen Dilger. Listed at $1,289,000 mid-May 2026. Five offers in 11 days. Sold $1,240,000 to a Boston relocator. Closed June 28, 2026.
Tax and portability
Cost basis reconstruction added $84,000 in capital improvements to the $195,000 purchase. Taxable gain after $99K selling costs: ~$361,000. Federal tax (20% bracket): $72,200. Florida no state tax. Save Our Homes portability preserved $14,400/year on the next Lakewood Ranch purchase.
Outcome
Purchased a 2,100-sq-ft Lakewood Ranch home in August 2026. Quarterly Minneapolis visits tripled. ‘We wish we’d done this five years ago’ — Jim.
Sold for: $1,240,000 · Advisor: Maria Santos
Three minutes to clarity.
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