Staying in your home as you get older or right-sizing to another

Staying in your home as you get older or right-sizing to a better place to live
By Larry Stoller

Like most Americans, as you grow older, you probably want to stay in your home for as long as you can. And living the good life, here in beautiful Bluffton, you may never want to leave.  However, as life goes on, it may become harder to do all the house chores on your own. Or, the costs to obtain help may become too much of a burden.

Older Americans often think of their home as a nest egg. They may decide to use their home equity to get some extra money.  Home equity is the difference between the appraised value of your home and what you owe on any mortgages.

Did you know that a Reverse Mortgage is one way that you can convert a portion of your home equity into cash and allow you to continue to live in your home for as long as you want with no monthly payments required?  For more information, talk to your attorney, accountant, or meet with a local reverse mortgage expert.

However, is that the best way to use the equity in your home?  It might be, but it is a decision that you should consider carefully. Maybe it’s better to right size, sell your home and  buy a home that is better suited to your specific needs, or think about an assisted living type of arrangement.

If you are planning to remain in your home,  as abilities diminish as part of the aging process, assistance and/or changes may be needed to maintain your independence and safety at home.  You may want to consider consulting with an occupational therapist to obtain recommendations that are specific to your needs, skills, environment, and budget.

On the other hand, if you are thinking about right-sizing, there are a number of  local real estate agents who are very familiar with all the home ownership options that are available here in our Lowcountry Paradise. Some of these agents may have special designations and valuable experience in working with seniors.

A great resource of information is the National Council On Aging (their website is www.ncoa.org).  Others include: www.eldercare.gov, www.benefitscheckup.org, www.homemods.org, www.caregiver.org, and www.reversemortgage.org.