Three months ago, Carole and Terry Madison had no idea that they would be packing to move from their home of 21 years in Centennial. But now they’re boxing and taping, as their Steller Group real estate agent prepares to bring their house to market during the best sales months of the year.

This started over Christmas, when the Madisons’ kids came home and had a serious talk with their parents about coming to live in Texas, where two of the three kids have moved.

Along with offering access to a 12-year-old grandson, the kids sweetened the deal by finding them a ranch-style rental that’s available now; and proffered that they’ll fix up a pool house for mom and dad as a longer-term house.

That’s put the Madisons on track to shove off for the Texas hill country — where they were expecting to be settled in before the total solar eclipse passes over that area April 8.

But an even better reason to make haste is to catch the best of the spring market, says Blair Bryant with The Steller Group’s Senior Solutions Division, agents who are handling the sale.

“We’re talking about perfect timing, with the most favorable buyers you’ll likely see this year,” says Bryant. “When you wait until June, potential buyers get busy with family and vacations.”

“When you wait until June to sell, buyers get busy with families and vacations.”

Carole Madison, who served as a nurse in the Far East while Terry was a journalist for church-affiliated news organizations, recalls the couple moved 27 times in 62 years of marriage, and weren’t ready to leave Denver yet. “But the kids said we were dragging our feet,” she recalls. “Family trumps location.”

“After the initial shock, I’m looking forward to it,” adds Terry.

After the spur-of-the-moment decision, the Madisons reached out to Bryant, who lives nearby in The Knolls near Southglenn.

Bryant invited them to a free seminar called “Decluttering: Where to Start,” and the couple began preparing. (Steller has a number of those scheduled this month; see dates below.)

Now the pair has carted lots of stuff over to Arc Thrift Stores, but they’re holding onto 150,000 slides they shot in China and other countries, as well as books. “I will read and read,” says Terry.

“Getting ready for a senior move is a big job, but it’s worth it to get the timing right,” says Bryant.

Senior move experts at Steller have the tools to make that happen, including an in-house contractor for pre-sale repairs and remodeling, a staging expert to prepare the home to show, and a moving affiliate experienced in creating a comfortable experience.

The Madisons’ 4-bedroom/3-bath home comes to market in two weeks. Visit DenverSeniorSeminars.com to see the full lineup of upcoming topics, presenting as early as April 12.

IF YOU GO:

WHAT: The Steller Group, Inc., agents specialized in downsizing moves: listing, selling, improving to increase salability, handling discards, low-maintenance living, purchase & rental.

FREE SEMINARS, REFRESHMENTS INCLUDED:

Fri., Apr. 12, “Decluttering and Where to Start,” Noon to 2 p.m., Sunrise at Orchard, 5975 South Holly Street,  Littleton.

Wed., Apr. 17, “Decluttering and Where to Start,” 1-3 p.m., Ross-University Hills Branch Library, 4310 East Amherst Avenue, Denver.

Wed., Apr. 24, “Decluttering and Where to Start,” 10 a.m. to Noon, Hilltop Reserve, 525 S. Holly St., Denver.

Tues. Apr. 30, “Senior Living Options,” 10 a.m. to Noon, Southglenn Library, 6972 S. Vine St., Centennial.

Wed. May 8, “Selling Strong: Taxes, Trusts & Timing,” 10 a.m. to Noon, Hilltop Reserve, 525 S. Holly St., Denver.

PHONE: 720-593-9355

SIGN UP AT: DenverSeniorSeminars.com