Real Estate: Downsizing

Considerations when relocating due to retirement or "down sizing"

When the decision is made to relocate for purposes of "down sizing" or retirement living, you should first look at the communities or areas that are most likely to meet retirement needs.

Some ideas to explore are:

Does the community maintain all grounds -- lawn mowing,fertilizing, raking leaves, in-ground sprinkler system, and/or weeding?
Is a community pool important to you? Is it easily accessible to you? No community pool usually means a lower community maintenance fee.
Is there enough privacy between homes, back yards, and/or patios?
Is there available extra parking for guests, or will your driveway meet that need?
Is the target age group for the community what you want?
Do amenities meet your needs (Grounds maintained, pool, and/or club house)?
Are the floor plan(s) such that steps/stairs can be avoided?
Is there a master bedroom on the main level (if the home is multi-level)?
Is there sufficient storage (for those things from which you simply cannot part)?
Measure your vehicles! Is the garage tall enough, long enough,and wide enough?
Is there a security system?
Is there an emergency call system available?

The next step in downsizing is developing/adapting a floor plan or adapting an existing home.

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