Authored by: Laurie Mindnich
September 21st, 2007
I recently finished up a highly successful active adult community for a national builder. The process afforded an ear to this buying contingent- and their
ideas varied as widely as the offerings for adult communities on the North Fork.
For many, “cashing out” equity in their existing home and down-sizing was the primary objective. With many still working, and planning to do so for several years, the consideration of a move in the sudden absence of children underfoot and too much space, combined with the idea of lower taxes and less “to do”, made it a non-negotiable move- it just sounds too good to be true.
A breakdown of the process as told to me by this buying contingent:
The kids leave; college tuition lingers; there’s a big, empty house. That it’s full of “stuff” delays the decision until it becomes JUST TOO TEMPTING…
Iwww. A “retirement” community. “WE’RE TO YOUNG.” Often, the next thought. Being “too young”, whether in years or spirit doesn’t deter…just looking around. If this buyer hasn’t yet hired someone to take care of the yard work, it is often one or the other that starts the looking process- weekends are tediously full.
One of the first lessons learned, if a buyer is presented the right active adult community, is that somehow, the “retirement” part- the inactive, reclusive “old age” perception dissipates. While this is crass and inappropriate, this next concern was voiced by a customer of mine. “I was worried that it would be a bunch of old people pissing in their beds.” This was not said “jokingly”- rather, it was offered when, to his delight, the community that his wife located had an abundance of still working active adults. REMEMBER: medical facilities are not offered at active adult communities, nor is maid service, nor are meals.
We ALL dread, to some extent or another, that vision of permanent care. For the active adult contingent, it is simply not appropriate- not to mention, premature.
The ultimate goal of a retirement/active adult buyer includes shorter, as well as longer term goals. The years coming up AFTER retirement may involve travel. The convenience of having a gated, secure environment in which to leave belongings is NICE. Nicer than locking up the house, re-routing the mail, leaving the landscapers check under the front mat, etc. It’s a more secure feeling, those shared walls and now known neighbors. The friends from the old neighborhood have moved, many of them- it isn’t the same.
These buyers are often the “sandwich” generation, assisting parents as well as children. Sometimes, concurrently, health issues with spouses come into play. This is a group of people who have found themselves involved enough in the interpersonal play of relatives that it is just TOO MUCH to worry about a house that is now too big. MY HAT’S OFF TO THEM. I’ll be making the same decisions in eight short years- they’ve provided me with insight that in it’s absence, would have created a longer process for me.
In the final analysis of this buyer, adding up the benefits for use of pool, tennis, clubhouse, perceived increased security, lower taxes, a paid for house with savings accrued in the old house at the ready…all permit for a bit of well-deserved peace of mind.
For a list of ALL properties available for the 55 and better set, contact Options Realty- we’ll make it easy.
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Laurie, GREAT info on over 55 communities. We have some here and they go quick!! They are a great option for folks that want a low maintenance property.