Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You?
Could a 55+ Community Be Right for You? If you’re thinking about downsizing, you may be hearing about 55+ communities and wondering if they’d be a good fit for you. Here’s some information that could help you make your decision. What Is a 55+ Community? It’s important to note that these communities aren’t just for people who need extra support – they can be pretty vibrant, too. Many people who are downsizing opt for this type of home because they’re looking to be surrounded by people in a similar season of life. U.S. News explains: “The terms ‘55-plus community,’ ‘active adult community,’ ‘lifestyle communities’ and ‘planned communities’ refer to a setting that caters to the needs and preferences of adults over the age of 55. These communities are designed for seniors who are able to care for themselves but may be looking to downsize to a community with others their same age and with similar interests.” Why It’s Worth Considering This Type of Home If that sounds like something that may interest you, here's one thing to consider. You may find you’ve got a growing list of options if you look at this type of community. According to 55places.com, the number of listings tailored for homebuyers in this age group has increased by over 50% compared to last year. And a bigger pool of options could make your move much less stressful because it’s easier to find something that’s specifically designed to meet your needs. Other Benefits of 55+ Communities On top of that, there are other benefits to seeking out this type of home. An article from 55places.com, highlights just a few: Lower-Maintenance Living: Tired of mowing the lawn or pulling weeds? Many of these communities take care of this for you. So, you can spend more time doing fun things, and less time on maintenance. On-Site Amenities: Some feature lifestyle amenities like a clubhouse, fitness center, and more, so it’s easy to stay active. Plus, others offer media rooms, libraries, spas, arts and craft studios, and more. Like-Minded Neighbors: Additionally, these types of homes usually offer clubs, outings, meet-ups, and more to foster a close-knit community. Accessible Floor Plans: Not to mention, many have first-floor living options, ample storage spaces, and modern floor plans so you can have a home tailored to this phase in your life. Bottom Line If this sounds appealing to you, let’s talk about what’s available in our area, and the unique amenities for each community. You may find a 55+ home is exactly what you’ve been searching for.
Read More
Why the Sandwich Generation Is Buying Multi-Generational Homes
Why the Sandwich Generation Is Buying Multi-Generational Homes Are you a part of the Sandwich Generation? According to Realtor.com, that’s a name for the roughly one in six Americans who take care of their children and their parents or grandparents at the same time. If that sounds familiar to you, juggling all the responsibilities involved certainly must have its challenges. But it turns out there’s one pretty significant benefit: it can actually make it a bit easier for you to buy a home. How Can It Help You Buy a Home? Realtor.com asked members of the Sandwich Generation if they agree or disagree that taking care of children and parents at the same time is helping them afford a home. A third of respondents said their situation made it easier to buy (see graph below): Here are a few ways their caretaking situation might be helping those 33% buy a home: Sharing Expenses: If you live in a multi-generational household, you can pool your resources and split the costs. Your parents might contribute to the mortgage or help with other bills. This can make a big difference, especially in today’s housing market. It may help you afford a larger home than you could on your own. Built-In Childcare: Having grandparents in the home could also save you money on childcare. They can help watch your kids while you’re at work, which means you can save on daycare costs too. Beyond just the financial reasons, buying a multi-generational home has other advantages. The Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) highlights some of the most popular, including: Easier To Care for Aging Parents: It’s more convenient to take care of someone when you live with them. Also, your elderly parents may very well be happier and healthier, thanks to more social interaction and a feeling of connectedness. Spending More Time Together: Once you live together, you get to spend more time and create even more lasting memories with your loved ones. The Mortgage Reports sums it up this way: “Buying a house with your parents can be a great way to ease caregiving, support young children, or simply bring loved ones closer together. And considering the steep rise in home prices over the last few years, it can make homeownership a lot more affordable.” How a Real Estate Agent Can Help If you’re in the Sandwich Generation and thinking about buying a multi-generational home, working with a local real estate agent is essential. Finding a home that works for so many people can be tricky. An agent will use their expertise to help you find one that meets the needs of, and has enough space for, everyone who’s going to live there. Bottom Line Being a part of the Sandwich Generation comes with its challenges – but it also might come with one truly great perk. If you’re looking to buy a home, your caregiving situation can actually make it a bit easier for you to afford a home. To learn more, let’s connect.
Read More
What's Motivating Your Move?
What's Motivating Your Move? Thinking about selling your house? As you make your decision, consider what's pushing you to think about moving. A recent survey from Realtor.com looked into why people want to sell their homes this year. Here are the top two reasons (see graphic below): Let's take a closer look and see if they’re motivating you to make a change too. 1. To Make a Profit If you’re thinking about selling your house, you probably have a lot of questions on your mind. Well, here's some good news – the latest data shows most sellers get a great return on their investment when they sell. ATTOM, a property data provider, explains: “. . . home sellers made a $121,000 profit on the typical sale in 2023, generating a 56.5 percent return on investment.” That’s significant. And here’s one contributing factor. During the pandemic, home prices skyrocketed. There was way more buyer demand than homes available for sale and that combination pushed prices up. Now, home prices are still rising, just not as fast. That ongoing appreciation is good news for your bottom line. Any profit you make can help offset some of today’s affordability challenges when you buy your next home. If you want to know how much your house is worth now and what's going on with prices in your area, talk to a local real estate agent. 2. For Family Reasons Maybe you want to be near relatives to help take care of older family members or to have more support nearby. Or maybe you’re just eager to spend time together on special occasions like birthdays and holidays. Selling a house and moving closer to the people who matter the most to you helps keep you connected. If the distance is making you miss out on some big milestones in their lives, it might be time to talk to a local real estate agent to find a place close by. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) says: “A great real estate agent will guide you through the home search with an unbiased eye, helping you meet your buying objectives while staying within your budget.” Bottom Line If you're thinking about selling your house, there’s probably a good reason for it. Let’s talk so you have help making the right move to reach your goals this year.
Read More
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami
Boomers Moving Will Be More Like a Gentle Tide Than a Tsunami Have you heard the term “Silver Tsunami” getting tossed around recently? If so, here’s what you really need to know. That phrase refers to the idea that a lot of baby boomers are going to move or downsize all at once. And the fear is that a sudden influx of homes for sale would have a big impact on housing. That’s because it would create a whole lot more competition for smaller homes and would throw off the balance of supply and demand, which ultimately would impact home prices. But here’s the thing. There are a couple of faults in that logic. Let’s break them down and put your mind at ease. Not All Baby Boomers Plan To Move For starters, plenty of baby boomers don’t plan on moving at all. A study from the AARP says more than half of adults aged 65 and older want to stay in their homes and not move as they age (see graph below): While it’s true circumstances may change and some people who don’t plan to move (the red in the chart above) may realize they need to down the road, the vast majority are counting on aging in place. As for those who stay put, they’ll likely modify their homes as their needs change over time. And when updating their existing home won’t work, some will buy a second home and keep their original one as an investment to fuel generational wealth for their loved ones. As an article from Inman explains: “Many boomers have no desire to retire fully and take up less space . . . Many will modify their current home, and the wealthiest will opt to have multiple homes.” Even Those Who Do Move Won’t Do It All at Once While not all baby boomers are looking to sell their homes and move – the ones who do won’t all do it at the same time. Instead, it’ll happen slowly over many years. As Freddie Mac says: “We forecast the ‘tsunami’ will be more like a tide, bringing a gradual exit of 9.2 million Boomers by 2035 . . .” As Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says: “Demographics are never a tsunami. The baby boomer generation is almost two decades of births. That means they’re going to take about two decades to work their way through.” Bottom Line If you're stressed about a Silver Tsunami shaking the housing market overnight, don't be. Baby boomers will move slowly over a much longer period of time.
Read More
Categories
- All Blogs (252)
- build your home (25)
- builders (13)
- buyers market (70)
- buying a home (151)
- closing costs (2)
- condominiums (10)
- credit (2)
- down payment (16)
- downsizing (8)
- finances (5)
- first time home buyer (61)
- home affordability (51)
- home equity (2)
- home loan (67)
- home ownership (106)
- home price (53)
- home tips (37)
- home value (49)
- housing market (109)
- interest rates (41)
- investment (15)
- listing agent (9)
- luxury homes (1)
- mortgage (58)
- mortgage rates (40)
- new construction (11)
- new home (27)
- owning a home (36)
- preapproval (19)
- pricing your home (32)
- real estate (123)
- real estate tips (101)
- renting (4)
- savings (7)
- second home (14)
- sellers (65)
- selling your home (68)
- senior living (12)
- vacation home (1)
- Veterans (2)
- wealth (2)
Recent Posts