by Susan Quilty on December 29, 2009
The rebel motorcyclists of the 1960s and 70s have grown up and their love of motorcycles has spread to more mainstream Americans. The average age of a Harley Davidson owner is now over 45 and dozens of active adult communities across the country have active Motorcycle clubs. Though there is some concern over motorcycle safety, Baby Boomers from many walks of life are discovering the fun and freedom of riding the open roads.
Motorcycle riders today are generally older and richer than they were in the past. Baby Boomers are a popular demographic, as they frequently have both the money to afford a motorcycle and the time to enjoy riding one. Harley Davidson remains popular among active adults, but European manufacturers such as Ducati and Triumph have increased their efforts to capture more of the American market.
by Susan Quilty on December 25, 2009
The Sunshine State has long been a hot spot for retirement living, yet lately active adults have been expanding their search beyond the coastal areas and opting to settle in central Florida cities. From shopping and recreation to practical investment considerations, there are several benefits to living in the central Florida area.
Central Florida has many of the same relocation draws as its coastal cities. The weather is hot in the summer and mild in the winter. It is a prime vacation spot for visiting family, and there are a variety of recreational activities and active adult communities. Yet central Florida has a few extra benefits that attract many retirees.
by Susan Quilty on December 21, 2009
There are many reasons why active adults would decide to live in an age restricted community. Just as a young family may choose to live in a suburban neighborhood with many other school-aged children, active adults sometimes prefer living with neighbors who are at a similar stage in life.
Choosing to live among adults does not mean that the residents dislike children. In fact, most age restricted communities welcome young visitors and may even offer specific amenities for visiting grandchildren. Active adult communities, such as Sun City Festival in Arizona and Sun City Huntley include playgrounds and parks specifically designed with visiting grandchildren in mind. Some active adult communities, such as PebbleCreek in Arizona, even offer a special grandchildren’s pool for young visitors.
by Susan Quilty on December 18, 2009
Moving to an active adult community is a dream for many adults. Yet making the dream a reality by choosing a community to live in can be fraught with indecision and self-doubt. By asking many questions you can avoid some potential problems, understand the role of the community’s Home Owners Association (HOA) and know that you have made the best decision for your family.
1. What is the reputation of both the community and the builder? While the community amenities and the house you intend to buy are likely to be your primary focus, you should take the time to learn more about the community’s builder. A builder such as Del Webb, who developed their first age restricted community in 1960 and now has nearly 60 active adult communities across the United States, has the experience needed to run a successful community.
by A.W. Berry on December 14, 2009
The name ‘reverse mortgage’ almost speaks for itself in the sense these types of mortgages reverse a home’s equity accumulation through payment(s) to the homeowner. To understand the pros and cons of reverse mortgages, taking each element of the mortgage one step at a time can help build a familiarity with its features. A good starting point for becoming informed about these loan products is eligibility which includes applicants aged 62 years old and above. Another qualifying criteria is the value of a home’s equity, and any pre-existing debt on the property.
The pros and cons of reverse mortgages differ from person to person, however since reverse mortgages allow the homeowner to receive payment and remain in the home until they leave, three financially important benefits exist.
by Susan Quilty on December 11, 2009
There was a time when crochet, and needlecraft in general, conjured images of an old granny sitting in a rocking chair with a ball of yarn. Fortunately those days are in the past. Today, women of all ages (and even some men) are rediscovering the joy of crochet.
As a hobby, crochet has never been more popular among such a wide variety of age groups. This has led to an explosion in hip, new crochet designs for both clothing and housewares. Young girls, teens, young adults, and older women are pulling out their hooks and stitching up fresh new looks.
by Susan Quilty on December 8, 2009
Active adult communities are a great option for those in their 50s and 60s. They provide a variety of social groups and recreational activities. They may even offer Lifelong Learning classes or group travel programs. Yet most active adult communities consist of single family homes and villas set in a suburban environment. Are there similar urban high-rise communities for active adults?
For many urban-oriented empty nesters, the idea of an active adult high-rise community is appealing. A condo is lower maintenance than a single family home. Life in an urban high rise, with nearby neighbors and bustling city life, may be preferable to retirees who do not want to move to the suburbs. Yet before looking into the options, two important distinctions must be made: independent living versus assisted living, and age targeted versus age restricted.
by Susan Quilty on December 5, 2009
When Tina and Louie Haagen of Staten Island, New York recently visited Charleston, South Carolina they felt as if they had stepped into a picture postcard. “There were beautiful historic buildings at every turn and when walking the city, flowers from lush private gardens overflowed along the sidewalks.”
During their visit, Tina and Louie found that the Charleston locals were very friendly and eager to give recommendations for restaurants, tours and shopping districts. Being thrifty travelers, the Haagens had already found that they could save money by staying at a lovely hotel in the Historic Summerville area and were happy to find more ways to save. One useful tip they learned early on was to check for street parking along Bay Street near The Battery before paying money to park in the Visitor Center parking.
by Susan Quilty on December 1, 2009
Nearly any home buyer in today’s market is at least curious about the idea of buying a short sale or foreclosure property. They may be sold for less than other homes and who wouldn’t want to save money on such an expensive investment?
The trouble is, short sales and foreclosure properties are not necessarily the best way to save money. While some of these properties are in good condition, many are fixer-uppers that are sold “as is”. Unless you’re very handy, that alone can make the investment a poor one. However, the bigger problem lies in the frustration that comes with trying to negotiate one of these deals, particularly if you are buying with any time constraints.
by Susan Quilty on November 23, 2009
In active adult communities across the country, retirees are learning that it is never too late to start music lessons. In fact, retirement can be an ideal time to renew an interest in a long-forgotten instrument or pick up an entirely new musical skill.
Parents often encourage their children to take up music lessons of some kind. Likewise, school programs strive to introduce music to all students. Not all children immediately take to music lessons. Perhaps they are too busy with other interests, have trouble sustaining the concentration to practice, or simply haven’t yet gained an appreciation for music. The musical seeds that were sewn in youth often do take hold later in life.
by A.W. Berry on November 20, 2009
The home buyer tax credit is a chance to financially augment retirement living with a new home and lower taxes. The first and most clear way to benefit from the new home buyer tax credit is the $6,500.00 check that could be paid to home buyers by the Department of the Treasury if the property is indentured by April 30, 2010. In the case of first time home buyers the tax credit is even higher at $8,000.00. Each qualifying home is subject to one tax credit regardless of the number of buyers, however the buyers can agree upon the distribution of the credit.
by Susan Quilty on November 16, 2009
Many Baby Boomers dream of retiring to beautiful vacation destinations. Age restricted active adult communities have responded by offering convenient living in picturesque settings. Whether dreams include a beach, mountain or desert retirement, chances are there is an active adult community ready to cater to that dream. Yet there are a number of retirees who would prefer to spend their retirement years in more urban environments.
There are many reasons behind an urban retirement. Some retirees have always been city dwellers and want to stay in their current homes where they can live near familiar people and places. Others may have been happy to raise their children in the suburbs, but want to move back to the city once their children are grown and on their own.
by A.W. Berry on November 9, 2009
How you pay for your retirement home can have a noteworthy pecuniary impact during your retirement years. Choosing the right option should take into account retirement income, tax bracket, lifestyle, savings, health, economic and market conditions.
If the money for the retirement home is coming from the sale of another property or is already available in capital savings, how that money is allocated in to retirement property can potentially raise or lower standard of living significantly. For example, retirement home funds divided into two parts with which two smaller homes rather than one larger home are purchased. This option provides potential income through rental of the second property and capital savings in both the homes. In this situation, paying cash is a good choice.
