At any stage of your life, buying a home is much more than buying a place to “hang your hat”.
Through the early years many factors defined the lifestyle that your home
could provide.....proximity to work....a neighborhood in which to raise your
children... availability of good schools...a community convenient to friends
and family.
As you approach your next milestone of real estate ownership....the home
in which to enjoy your retirement and leisure years....other considerations
come into play. Certainly, proximity to family and friends remains an
important criterion for most active adults shopping for a new home. But
“lifestyle” begins to take on a new shape as you think about the “new” life
you are now free to lead
Freedom....leisure....fitness...recreation...establishing new friendships to
augment the old....these are among the elements shape and define the active
(over 55) adult lifestyle.
What do new home buyers in today’s active adult market seek? Clearly,
freedom is a major desire....freedom from those home maintenance chores
that used to take up so much of one’s time. Freedom to lock the door and
leave worries behind when it’s time to expand one’s horizons through travel.
Freedom from having too many rooms to heat or possessions to look after.
Leisure.....what does leisure mean to you? A
daily round of golf? A few laps in a heated
pool? A friendly card game or a set of tennis?
If activities like these are what you seek, then
seek out an adult community that provides
these and more with a clubhouse, golf course,
tennis courts or other recreational facilities.
The clubhouse lifestyle isn’t for everyone.
While the facilities a well-designed clubhouse
can provide offer the opportunity for meeting
new people and making friends, many in the
55-plus set already have a busy and active
social life. For these home owners, proximity
to those friends and the places they enjoy... a
nearby country club...shopping....theaters....
restaurants... and museums is a more important
consideration.
Once you have selected the community that
provides the amenities you desire, the next
consideration is your new home itself. In many
cases, active adult home buyers are looking
forward to a home size that is more manageable
now that children are on their own. But what
are the facilities that are most important to
you?
Most active adult communities offer 1 and 2
bedroom and 1 ½ or 2 bath homes. What other
features will you want?
- A “bonus” space that could be an extra
bedroom and bath for an extended family
member, grandchildren or guests
- A room to use as a home offi ce, hobby room
or den
- Extra storage facilities, such as those offered
in some mid-rise building communities with
basement storage rooms
- A sunroom, screened porch, covered balcony
or patio
- A one or two car garage
Do you need to consider the current or future
needs of a household member who may have
special living requirements?
With the sale of your current home, you may
realize a nice profi t which you may want to
put into options and special selections for your
new home. When reviewing communities
investigate what is being offered. Does the
community have a Design Center and/or a
design coordinator to assist in making these
selections?
Finally, consider the neighborhood surrounding
your community. If it is one you are not familiar
with, investigate the services and facilities that
are nearby including shopping, dining, cultural
venues, medical centers and services, easy access
to major roads and transportation centers,
houses of worship and educational facilities that
may offer new learning experiences or hobbies
to explore. Is a city or a suburban setting right
for you? Are you looking for proximity to
mountains or the Shore?
Active adult communities abound. Something
for everyone is available. Take your time to
investigate all of the possibilities and fi nd the
new home and new lifestyle that is right for
you!
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