What to Look for When Buying a Retirement Home

Buying a retirement home is something most people face at some point in their lives. The process, though, is much different from purchasing any other type of home. In addition to the fact that buying a retirement home requires a different kind of evaluation, the process also requires that buyers look for different features and consider different realities.

Left to its own devices, the purchase process can be confusing, which is why we’ve compiled this list of things to consider when buying a retirement home.

5 Things to Look for When Buying a Retirement Home

If you’re looking at the purchase of a retirement home shortly, evaluate the property for these five features:

1. The house is built on a single level

As you age, stairs and different levels may become difficult to navigate, and the home you purchased as your retirement home simply may not work anymore. With this in mind, ensure that the home you’re buying as your retirement home is built on a single floor. This makes it easy to add wheelchair ramps, if needed and helps to ensure that you or your spouse won’t have to contend with steep, difficult stairs later in life.

2. The home features an open floor plan

Homes with open floor plans will be easier to navigate as you age, and this makes them a wise choice for anyone purchasing a retirement home. With this in mind, look for a house that features nice, wide rooms, hallways, and doorways, and plenty of open space throughout.

3. The home has extra rooms

As you age, you may want to bring a child or caretaker to live with you. In this case, it’s important to have additional rooms throughout the house. Even if you don’t bring in a caretaker, extra rooms are perfect for visiting family and grandchildren who want to enjoy your exciting new retirement home.

4. The home’s proximity to amenities

With any home, proximity to amenities makes for a more enjoyable lifestyle. When you set out to buy a retirement home, make sure it’s close to all of your favorite things and that fixtures like public transportation, airports, and grocery stores are all within a reasonable distance.

5. The home’s maintenance requirements

If your would-be retirement home has a massive yard or ornate garden, it will be difficult for you to maintain as you get older, unless you hire grounds people specifically for the task. With this in mind, be sure that, if you purchase a home with lots of land to maintain, that you have a plan for how you will do that as you age.

If you’d prefer to be able to manage your home all on your own, consider purchasing a home that’s easier to maintain and doesn’t have features like a huge yard or a demanding garden. Though they may be beautiful, these features are expensive and difficult to maintain over time.

Buying a Retirement Home: The First Step of the Rest of Your Life

If you’re planning to purchase a retirement home, these five features can make the difference between a ho-hum home, and a home where you want to spend the rest of your life. With this in mind, be sure to look for these five features as you shop for your forever dwelling.