3 Things to Consider When Buying a Home in a 55+ Retirement Community

So, you’ve decided to buy a home in a 55+ community. Congratulations! Now, you need to consider what kind of house you want to buy.

Specifically, what floor plan? New or resale? What location?

My wife Mary Ann and I weren’t mindful of many of these considerations before we bought our home in a Del Webb Community, but through the process, we gained quite a bit of knowledge. There are no right or wrong answers. However, it’s important to be aware of a few things when beginning to process of buying a home in a 55+ community. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Floor Plans 

At first, my wife and I thought wanted a ranch with a basement. Then we heard lofts were cheaper. For a while, that sounded good, too.  In the end, we ended up buying a larger ranch with a sunroom. It’s hard to know what you want to begin with. You end up looking at a lot of floorplans. Even then, it may even come down to availability or which one you can get a better deal on. There are many great floor plans in 55+ communities. So, prepare yourself for a lot of looking, a lot of thinking, and enjoy the process.

2. New or Resale 

Everyone loves a brand new home, but there are differences between new homes from the builder and resale. A new home is built especially for you and placed on the lot you picked out. Simple enough. As the name implies, a resale home is one that the current owners have placed on the market. With a resale, you’ll probably be able to negotiate the price with the seller. Many resales are cheaper than the new homes in the same community. Additionally, the owner may have made some improvements. The landscaping is more mature, as Mother Nature has had enough time to work a little of her green-thumbed magic. The streets are free of mud, loud noises, and workman in appallingly orange vests.

3. Location, location, location

Now that you’ve decided on a floor plan and picked between a resale and a new home, there’s one more thing to consider. As they say in the real estate game—location, location, location. How close is your new home to the clubhouse and ball fields? Will you be in the back, center, or front of the community? Again, no correct answers, just considerations. Bear in mind the difference between an interior lot and a lot facing the forest (or desert). Exterior lots may have more wildlife, which is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you might be able to go birdwatching from your own backyard. On the other, you may step onto your patio and find a slithery, reptilian visitor. Do you like privacy? On a scale of one to Indiana Jones, how afraid of snakes are you? Do your research and take your time. After all, this is your retirement we’re talking about. You deserve to live your golden years as comfortably and happily as possible.

Looking for more?

Want to read more great articles just like this one? Then check out THESE next:

• Why Do Boomers Own Multiple Houses?
• Are Del Webb Community Signs True?
• 10 Advantages of Retiring in an Active Adult Community
• What Is an Active Adult Community and Is It Right For Me?
• 5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Moving to a 55+ Active Adult Community
• How to Choose a 55-Plus Active Adult Community
• 4 Ways for Retirees to Downsize for a Move

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