Buying a Home for Retirement

Buying a home after you have retired may feel like an overwhelming challenge. You may be asking: Should I stay in my current home? Should I downsize to a smaller house? Will moving into a new home fulfill my needs? Buying a home for retirement is a financial commitment, but comes with a return of investment and a list of benefits! Whether you are looking to downsize or simply desire a fresh start in a new home, here are some considerations to ask yourself along the way.

Location

The first step to buying a retirement home is choosing the area you wish to live. Real estate is all about location, meaning it is especially important to choose the correct spot to retire. Depending on the situation some of the factors that may influence your decision include proximity to friends and family, the yearly climate, and neighborhood preferences. Perhaps a community with sidewalks for evening strolls, or nearby parks for afternoon picnics will suit your needs.

Budget

Purchasing a home upon retirement depends on your budget, and how much you are willing to spend. Of course, choosing to apply for a mortgage is always an option although most include home buying into their retirement plan. If you are planning to purchase or build a retirement home, knowing how much you can realistically afford to spend will help set expectations.

Maintenance

It's well-known that the cost of owning a home is more than just the mortgage, taxes, and insurance. Factoring in the expense of maintenance and upkeep is also an important consideration when browsing for a retirement home, as most desire low-maintenance living. Whether you are seeking a home with ample yard space for a seasonal garden, or a neighborhood with homeowners association that tends snow removal and lawn care, the award winning agents at Choice Properties will help you meet your goals.

Choice Properties offers you a chance to find the home of your dreams. We work with your budget and ideas in mind to support your ultimate vision. Call us if you are ready to check out the available inventory or to speak with a reputable agent who can assist you with your home buying needs.

Smart Families Are Buying Up Vacation Homes for Sale In Ohio

The last few years have been great for vacation home sales, according to the National Association of Realtors. With rising home prices and stock market gains, the market was flooded with people nearing retirement, and the median vacation home sold for approximately $150,000/-. There are many upsides to buying a vacation home. You can decorate it as you wish, leave your clothes there, rent out the property if you want and possibly even retire there. A vacation home would be perfect for large family gatherings.

Buying For Enjoyment

A vacation home can be purely for pleasure, if that's what you want it to be. Vacation homes for sale in Ohio are in high demand, as people flock to the state. There are a lot of beautiful vacation spots in Ohio, and you could fall in love with a specific location, and in that case purchasing and maintaining a vacation property will be worth it. You could get away anytime, without having to book hotels. Knowing that you had your own vacation home means you can schedule your vacation time at your convenience.

Buying As An Investment

If you do your research, you'll find that vacation homes for sale in Ohio are a hot commodity because waterfront property is only increasing in value in and around Indian Lakes. When you buy in a desirable location can mean a great investment. Your return on investment will come in the form of renting the property out to others who want to vacation there. Over time, that can generate considerable income. And you can always opt to use it yourself, when it's not being rented out.

Buying For Retirement

Purchasing a vacation home with the intention of selling your current house and retiring in it can be a huge money saver for you. How? You'll be reducing your mortgage debt before it even becomes your primary residence. And once you retire, the profit from your sold home can go toward the current mortgage balance of your vacation home. This will also make your transition easier, as you'll be familiar with the area already. Meanwhile, you can rent out the property and tap into a secondary source of income.

Vacation homes for sale in Ohio can be a big commitment. It's a decision that come with personal and financial responsibilities. However, the housing market is still very active and rates are still pretty low, so now might be the perfect time to buy that vacation home. Consider the waterfront property in Indian Lakes Ohio. It would make a good investment, an easy place to rent, and a great place to use in your own downtime.

The low cost of living in Ohio and numerous recreational areas make the state one of the best places to consider retirement for people who love to have fun and relax without sacrificing quality of life. The arts, culture and entertainment scene along with outdoor activities make this retirement-friendly locale the place to be, whether in a major city or small town. Learn about all the benefits of retiring in Ohio.

Cost of Living

The overall cost of living in Ohio is approximately 8 percent less than the national average as of 2015. Housing costs are 21 percent lower than the national average. Utilities are also ranking lower than the national average which makes affordability one of the key benefits of retiring in Ohio.

Culture

Ohio is home to several colleges and universities with several college towns being created in the surrounding towns. Arts and culture are huge in and around the college campuses. Oxford, in particular, has a vibrant artistic scene which includes a free summer concert series, an art museum, college theater scene and more offerings for people of all ages to enjoy. It depends on an individual's tastes but having so many young people in the area can bring a vibrancy to an area and support lots of creative endeavors for individuals wishing to retire close to artistic communities with lots of activities.

Activities

Throughout the state of Ohio, outdoor activities abound with lots of space to explore for the outdoor enthusiast. Year-round opportunities are available including bike trails, 330 miles of connected trails in Yellow Springs and Dayton and across the state. Headlands beach is located near Mentor where residents can swim or fish and hike the trails or spot rare plant life at the 450-acre Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Marina. Whether it is hiking, biking, bird watching or other activity, there is something for all enthusiasts to enjoy across the state of Ohio.

Senior-Friendly Fun

One of the biggest challenges for retirees is finding activities which are fun and engaging while supporting community with groups and organizations. Senior citizen centers and communities across Ohio provide activities and groups just for this reason. The city of Lakewood, for example, has a Division of Aging which organizes senior-only activities such as a photography club and others including lectures, movies, poker and a book club, to name a few. The opportunity to connect with other mature residents is endless and the chance to see and do many great things are available at an individual's fingertips in Ohio.

Retirement is a state of mind, which is very individualized depending on a person's desires and goals. There is also lots of quiet space to find respite and peace from the hectic city life in smaller towns which offer scenic views over a lake or hills and trees. Enjoy the four seasons in Ohio and enjoy a low cost of living and higher quality of life that is unsurpassed.

Looking to retire in Ohio and live life on the lake?

Choice Properties Agents can help you find the perfect retirement home here in Indian Lake Ohio.