Looking for a vacation home....
Looking for a vacation home that will double as a retirement home?
Are you a second-home buyer with double vision? If you’re in your 40s or 50s and you are looking for a leisure-time getaway now that will serve as a superb retirement haven later, you’re not alone.
What should you look for in a second home where you plan to retire? Her are a few pointers:
Single story homes are ideal.
Those who have studied the housing needs of older people know that single-story properties are ideal because the aging process often brings with it loss of strength, increased fear of falling and balance problems.
If your quest is for the perfect vacation/retirement property and you’re focused primarily on communities with two-story homes, you should consider buying a place with a fully equipped first-floor master suite, including a full bath. Cooking and laundry facilities should also be on this ground level.
Look for suitable bathrooms for your older years
Today, you may be a physically fit individual in midlife able to use any sort of bathtub/shower arrangement in your vacation home. But if you’re expecting to move there as a retiree 10 or 20 years from now, you could need a walk-in shower.
According to the experts, such a shower is less hazardous than a shower tub for older people who are prone to falling.
Limit the size of your yard.
Obviously, upkeep of grass and shrubbery is a big issue if you buy a getaway that is surrounded by lots of ground. Unless you’re particularly fit, adore gardening, or are willing to let most of your land grow wild, the home should have a smallish lot.
Get a two- or three-car garage.
These days, it’s not unusual for vacationers and retirees to own boats, motorcycles, recreational vehicles or other equipment. It’s best to have a place to store all that stuff other than the side yard or the driveway.
Get real about your later years.
If you play tennis twice a week or often walk the treadmill at your local fitness club, you may find it hard to imagine you’ll ever suffer from diminished physical might. Yet virtually everyone does, eventually.
You can’t afford to ignore reality, such as the need to be near a supermarket or public transportation if you should become unable to drive.
Smart Moves by Ellen James Martin. Copyright 1998 Universal Press Syndicate. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Copyright 1998 Norwest Mortgage, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced in any format without written permission. Norwest Mortgage and design is a registered service mark of Norwest Corporation. Information subject to change without notice. 8A0518A
