Is Downsizing On Your Mind?
The idea of downsizing has been on my mind for awhile since we are empty nesters ourselves. We live in a lovely fifty-year-old three level colonial in Mount Vernon, Virginia that has a half acre lot and rooms we never even enter.
Does that Sound familiar?
I help people buy and sell homes every day and yet the thought of doing it myself one more time seems daunting the older I get. We have had six homes within a 15-mile radius in thirty-three years of marriage. So we have moved every 5.5 years. Not until I just wrote this did I realize it has been a little over five years since we moved to our present home. No wonder I have the itch to move!
So one evening recently the question came at dinner time what our options are?
I thought I would share my overview with you since it was helpful for my husband and me to go through the options.
Most people I work with who are thinking of downsizing want to stay close to where they live now. So for purposes of this blog post, I am going to talk about the options on the 95 quarter west of the Potomac River boarding 95. Trying to find a smaller home that lives well can challenge the best of us. I have seen the options, and they are limited, and the demand is high, this translates into there are no bargains to be found. Consider yourself lucky if you can get a home in your price range that suits your needs.
The newest retirement community located in Eastern Fairfax County is The Crest of Alexandria. This community is the closest to the city and situated off Telegraph Road near Hilltop Shopping Center home to our local Wegman's. Presales started in early September 2017 for the elevator townhomes, and now there are several buildings under construction. The first residents will begin to move in in early March. Prices start in the mid $600's with fees to be about $200.00 per month. The Condos are off to a strong start with many floor plans now sold out. This first building called The Bannon will deliver in late fall 2018. The base prices start in the low $400's and the fees including HOA and condo fee will $418.00 per month. There will be a clubhouse but no pool.
Many of my clients were hoping to buy a patio home at The Crest of Alexandria and were disappointed to see a more traditional home under construction. I recommend waiting till we see the floor plan before counting it out. My guess is the house will feature an owners suite on the main level with traditional bedrooms upstairs and or elevators. The placement of the garage on the back of the home is going to create a tiny yard. Many buyers are coming out of colonial and split-level homes that are aging with large yards and are ready for less maintenance and upkeep. The Crest of Alexandria still could prove to be an option for some it is very desirable location. Van Metre has not announced floor plans or prices yet based on the stage of construction I would expect to see a grand opening announcement soon.
For those who are looking for a Patio Style home or something a little more affordable, there is Springhill in Lorton. This community is several years old but does not disappoint.The patio homes with zero lot line ( tiny yard) start in the $575,000 range to about $650,000. They are all resale homes at this point and typically sell within days of coming on the market. Springhill also has a small number of villas, but they come on the market rarely one recently sold for $470,000. Condos in the community sell between $350,000 and $425,000 and the fees run about $450.00 with HOA and Condo Fee. The charges include water, trash, snow removal, Indoor pool and clubhouse, activities, etc.
There is also a new assisted living and memory care center coming this fall called The Crossings at Springhill which will be a blessing for residents now and in the future. I understand they will offer a dining package for all residents of Springhill which will be a welcome amenity for the owners. Springhill is adjacent to the new development of Lorton Prison land. Liberty at Laurel Hill in Lorton and will offer individual apartments in the old prison dormitories and a town center with shopping and dining options within walking distance. The Workhouse Art Center that now rivals the Torpedo Factory in Old Town and yet will be in your backyard for events and classes.
As we talked, we also started to consider options further south to see what we might find. We would love to head to The Carolina's but with the possibility of grandchildren in the next few years that is not on the table at this time. I also have had so many clients who moved to Flordia or Georgia and even the Carolina's only to be selling and coming back to Virginia. So we decided to look at Prince William County and found three options. There would be much more if we were willing to go West to Haymarket or Gainesville where our kids are, but for now, we want to stay close to our mothers. One is in Mount Vernon and the other in Fredericksburg. So for now, 95 corridor is where we will maintain our search.
River Ridge in Lake Ridge is tucked back at the beginning of the community of Harbor Drive, and it borders the Occoquan Reservoir. The full care facility is called Westminster as well as villas priced from $325,000 and patio homes priced from the mid $400 - $550. Fees run about $130.00 a month and include an outdoor pool and clubhouse. These are now about twenty years old but seem to be a desirable option for the price. Having a car is essential in this community since it is tucked back away from any shopping and dining options.
Four Season in Dumfries this is a K Hovnanian senior gated community and the only one of its kind on the eastern side of Prince William or Fairfax County. From the moment you drive in you will notice lots of green space and room between each home. For those leaving a traditional single family who still active and looking for a little larger home site, this may be the community for you. Homes range in age from 9 to 15 years old and price in between $325,000 and $530,000. The fees are the lowest in the area at $220.00 for the amenities offered to include both an indoor and outdoor pool plus a robust activity calendar.
And finally for those looking for the main level living home but not necessarily a 55+ community you will be in luck in Prince William County. Potomac Shores is a brand new amenity filled community with a future town center. It has an active social activity calendar and five-star amenities. It features a Jack Nicklaus Golf Club and a thirteen thousand square feet recreation center with top of the line equipment.
One builder has heard the call for more housing options for seniors and now offers several floor plans offering main level living. Expect to find everything from a Villa with traditional bedrooms upstairs and owners suite on the main level as well as two lovely single family homes that live like a rambler but with high style. Prices start in the upper $400's and go up to $700,000.
If you are ready for a more carefree lifestyle with high style that is very active and prefers a traditional neighborhood versus a senior community, this may be a good option for you.The single-family main level living floor plans sold out fast. Brookfield Homes is building several traditional style homes with main level owners suites available. Or you can watch for a resale to come on the market.
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For us, the decision seems to be obvious we are not opposed to going south. So it looks like we will head south to Prince William County for the affordability and to get closer to the family. I am confident we will choose Potomac Shores. At age 62 we are still very active and want the convenience of a owners suite on the main level. We still would like a little space between homes and we will need a fence for our dogs to have room to go out and play. Not all senior communities allow fencing, so it is critical to work with an agent who knows which ones do and do not.
Do you have questions about downsizing?
I am just a phone call away and would be happy to start the conversation about how to plan the timing of moving from your present home to your next home. My twin sister and I are known as TwinsSellingRealEstate.com, and we are an excellent resource for you. Peggy and I have been helping buyers and sellers for twenty-five years. In fact, Peggy just made a move from the main level living home on one acre in a smaller home and lot in a new community. She can be a wealth of knowledge for you as well. She has researched all the resources you will need to downsize. Peggy is the listing specialist on the team, and I work with buyers together we can help you transition from your present home to your next home. If it has been awhile since you sold and purchased a home, you will find many things have changed. We are well versed in the process and are here to help. Get in touch with us and let's create a roadmap for your next home together.
We look forward to hearing from you and who knows we might be neighbors someday.
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