You’re ready to retire and have a vision for life as you age. What you don’t see in that vision is the home you’re living in now. You’re ready for a transition into a living situation that more closely matches your current needs and future lifestyle.
But finding a home good enough for your needs and lifestyle in retirement can be challenging. Like many retirees, you may have to downsize and spend time finding places for the things you don’t need. You must also search for your new home and endure moving or take on home improvement projects to feel comfortable in your new space.
Doing all of this at an older age can be exhausting. Implementing these practical tips and making these considerations will help make finding the perfect home for you in retirement easier.
The Benefits of Downsizing in Retirement
Instead of it just being you moving into a smaller space, right-sizing is about you understanding how you live, getting rid of the clutter in your life, and moving into a new space that accommodates your needs and vision for the future.
Moving into a smaller, more manageable home is beneficial, especially as you transition to retirement. For example, many retired couples are empty nesters and no longer need the big space they had when the kids were growing up. Finding a home that requires less maintenance is common for folks who are retiring.
Finances could be a factor as well. When you downsize in retirement, your budget typically follows. You take a closer look at your monthly income and review your spending habits to ensure you aren’t overspending in retirement and can sustain your lifestyle.
For instance, you may choose different health insurance to ensure you have adequate coverage at an affordable price. Your living situation can also impact your budget as well. For example, staying in a larger home can result in a higher cost of living due to the upkeep required on a bigger space.
Ideally, when you retire, you are living life in a way that you’ve always wanted to. Transitioning to a living situation that better suits your needs can afford you this opportunity; in fact, selling your family home can give you the financial resources you need to make lifestyle changes that allow you to live your dream life.
Considerations to Make Before Choosing Your Right-Sized Home
If you’re hoping to downsize or find a home that’s more suitable for your future in retirement, it’s important not to make a hasty decision.
To avoid the pitfalls of moving to a smaller space — including a lack of privacy, such as when living with family members, or having to give up beloved items — be sure to ask yourself these questions before you downsize.
Is it the right time?
The right time to the right size depends on you and your unique circumstances. However, some life circumstances make moving into a home that is more accommodating to your current needs the right choice. These include:
- Your home doesn’t fit your needs anymore;
- Your maintenance load is unmanageable;
- You’re using your savings to cover costs;
- Most of your monthly income is going to housing expenses.
You could also just want a change and everything aligns with you making one. Sit with this question for a while to come up with an honest, realistic answer.
Where do you want to move?
You have some new needs to accommodate in retirement. Maybe you need to be around walking paths to ensure you get outdoors a few times a week to exercise. Or maybe you need to be near healthcare facilities to keep up with your physical and mental health needs.
Whatever it is, you must ensure that where you move fits with what you need. Taking some time to map out suitable locations and living situations within those locations is a must.
Keep in mind too that the rise of remote work has impacted housing prices, which could affect your plans to buy a house even if you’re already retired or work an in-person job.
For instance, suburban locations are becoming increasingly popular across many demographics because these communities tend to offer good amenities at a significantly lower price than homes in the city.
You may also find yourself in competition with other buyers who are looking for newly popular amenities such as outdoor spaces or spare rooms that can be turned into home offices.
These types of considerations should also be taken into account when you are looking at the amenities you want in your new home.
What do you want in your new home?
Last but not least, knowing what you want in your new home is crucial for living comfortably during retirement. What kind of life do you see yourself living in the future and what kind of home and amenities would you need to realize this vision?
For instance, let’s say you want to be a homeowner, but you don’t want as much maintenance responsibility. In this case, a condo could be the right choice for you because you get the homeowner experience with assistance for exterior maintenance needs.
Or let’s say you use a wheelchair or other mobility aid to get around. A home with a ramp to the front and back doors, wide hallways, and a handicap-accessible bathroom is something you would need. Installing a home elevator can also be a great solution for multi-story homes, providing safe and convenient access to all levels.
Think about the layout and community amenities you prefer along with any other features you would need in your new living situation to ensure it’s comfortable.
Tips for Finding the Perfect Right-Size Home for You
Ready to start house hunting to find the perfect right-size home for you? These two tips will help ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Rely on a realtor
Relying on a realtor can make the process a bit easier, and can help you avoid unforeseen issues when you downsize, such as a lack of apartment availability, as one woman in Dallas experienced.
You’re already dealing with the details of your retirement. Let a licensed realtor handle the details involved with finding your new home. Ask for recommendations for great realtors in your area from friends and family. Or an online search for the same thing will bring up a list you can work through.
Give it time
As much as you want to find your next home as quickly as possible, it’s important not to rush. Make sure you’re getting what you want because this could very well be the home you spend the rest of your life in.
Give it as much time as you need to get all the details squared away. Think critically about how to manage your time while moving to ensure it’s as stress-free as possible. Creating a moving schedule can help with this.
Conclusion
Retirement is a time to enjoy yourself and live as you’ve always wanted to. The home you live in will play a significant role in ensuring your retired life is as enjoyable as you want it to be. With patience and a well-thought-out strategy, finding the perfect home to match your lifestyle in retirement is possible.