Glossary

Shift-Score™

A proprietary 0–100 readiness score from That Simple Shift indicating how prepared a homeowner is to sell a long-held primary residence.

Transition Blueprint™

A personalized plan generated alongside every Shift-Score, outlining estimated net equity, readiness band, and next three actions.

Rightsizing

The deliberate process of moving from a home that no longer matches one’s current life stage to one that better fits.

Downsizing

The specific act of moving to a smaller home, often to unlock equity, reduce upkeep, or prepare for retirement.

Silver Tsunami

The demographic wave of Baby Boomers entering retirement and making decisions about long-held homes. Over 20 million owner-occupied homes will change hands.

Home Equity

Current market value minus outstanding mortgage or lien balances.

Net Equity

Cash a homeowner receives after transaction costs (typically 6–10% of sale price).

Capital Gains Exclusion (Section 121)

Up to $250,000 of gain ($500,000 married joint) excluded from a primary residence sale, given the 2-of-5-year ownership and use test.

Cost Basis

Purchase price plus eligible capital improvements; used to calculate taxable gain.

Bridge Loan

Short-term financing (6–12 months) letting a homeowner buy next before selling current.

Reverse Mortgage (HECM)

Federally insured loan for homeowners 62+ converting equity to tax-free cash with no monthly payment.

HELOC

A revolving line of credit secured by home equity, typically with a 10-year draw period.

Cash-Out Refinance

Replaces an existing mortgage with a larger one, returning the difference in cash.

CCRC

Continuing Care Retirement Community — independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing on one campus under one contract.

Active Adult Community (55+)

Age-restricted housing with amenities, no clinical care on-site.

Aging in Place

Remaining in one’s current home through retirement, supported by modifications and services.

Universal Design

Home design usable by all ages and abilities — no-step entries, wide doorways, single-level living.

Primary Residence

The home a taxpayer lives in most of the year; required for Section 121 eligibility.

Shift-Certified Agent

A licensed agent who completed the Shift-Certified specialty program for homeowners 55+.

Senior Move Manager

A specialist who plans and oversees the logistics of a later-life move.

Property Tax Portability

Lets homeowners carry assessed-value savings from one home to another within the same state.

California Proposition 19

Allows homeowners 55+ to transfer base-year value to a replacement home anywhere in California, up to 3 times.

Florida Save Our Homes

Caps annual assessment increases at 3% or CPI; portability transfers up to $500K of cap benefit.

Estate Planning

Designing how assets will be managed and transferred during life and at death through wills, trusts, POAs, and beneficiary designations.

Comparable Sales (Comps)

Recently sold homes similar in size, condition, location, and features — the backbone of pricing.

Appraisal

A licensed appraiser’s opinion of a property’s market value, typically required by lenders.

1031 Exchange

Defers capital gains tax when selling investment or business-use property and reinvesting in like-kind. Does NOT apply to primary residences.

Homestead Exemption

Reduces the taxable value of a primary residence for property tax; rules vary by state.

Assessed Value

The dollar value a local taxing authority assigns to a property for tax calculation; often below market value.

Medicare Special Enrollment Period

A 3-month window triggered by a move out of a Medicare Advantage service area, allowing plan changes.