From the category archives:
by Bill Ness on January 20, 2012
Buying a home is a serious investment, especially when planning to move into an active adult community. When it comes to choosing a retirement community, active adult homebuyers are still plagued by the classic question: Is it better to buy a new or resale home?
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by Bill Ness on December 26, 2011
55Places.com is dedicated toward helping active adults find the community of their dreams, and that search just got a lot easier with our new Advanced Search feature. This intuitive search form lets you choose the elements you want in an active adult community and instantly see the results.
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by Bill Ness on December 23, 2011
When searching for their ideal retirement homes, active adults can choose from many different home styles. Some popular options include condos, townhomes, attached villas and single-family homes. Retirees who decide to relocate to a community with manufactured homes may also have the option of leasing the land instead of buying their own lot.
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by Bill Ness on December 12, 2011
For most homeowners, investing in a new home requires taking on a mortgage to cover a portion of the cost. But that isn’t always the case. Retirees who are downsizing from their family home may find themselves in a position to choose whether they want to finance or pay cash. But which is the best choice?
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by Bill Ness on December 9, 2011
Whether you are buying a new construction or resale home, a REALTOR will protect your interests and help you make the best possible investment. But how do you go about choosing a REALTOR? And should you look for special skills when you plan to buy a home in an active adult community?
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by Bill Ness on November 25, 2011
When the subject of active adult communities comes up, people commonly wonder whether age-restricted communities are actually legal. The Fair Housing Act protects homebuyers and renters from discrimination based on several factors, so it seems like it should keep developers from closing their doors to residents under a certain age. However, as long as they meet certain requirements, these communities are not breaking any laws.
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by Bill Ness on November 14, 2011
One of the benefits of choosing a new construction over a resale home is that the new home will come with a warranty to cover potential problems. But don’t assume that a new home warranty will cover everything in your new home. It’s important to find out just what is covered and for how long. You may also want to check the reputation of the builder with the Better Business Bureau to see how well they have handled disputes with homeowners in the past.
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by Bill Ness on October 10, 2011
One of the best aspects of shopping online is being able to read reviews of a product before buying. With its introduction of the new rating and reviews system, 55Places.com hopes to offer that same value to potential homebuyers who are considering buying a home in an active adult community.
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by Bill Ness on September 16, 2011
With the recent housing market turmoil, many potential homebuyers have begun to wonder if short sales are a good way to make the most of the current buyers’ market. While a short sale can sometimes lead to a great deal, the process is far from simple. It’s also less likely to be an option in active adult communities, where short sales are often harder to find.
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by Susan Quilty on July 25, 2011
For retirees—or those who have retirement in sight—now is a great time to buy a retirement home. Prices are down in most communities and there are many fabulous homes on the market. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should run out and buy without a plan. Just a few simple tips will help you find a great deal and make the most of this buyers’ market.
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by Susan Quilty on June 13, 2011
When it comes to new construction homes, many buyers think that they can save some money by not using a real estate agent and, instead, buying directly from the builder’s sales agent. This is a myth, and one that can lead to costly mistakes.
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by Susan Quilty on May 18, 2011
Buying a new home is always a major investment, but there is even more to consider when you are also choosing between active adult communities. To help you make your best decision, 55Places.com provides overviews of hundreds of age-restricted and age-targeted communities across the country. And now, 55Places.com’s fresh new design makes it easier than ever.
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by Susan Quilty on October 25, 2010
Homebuyers over the age of 50 have different needs than younger people who are buying their first homes. They may also be coping with the emotional difficulties that come with selling a long-held family home. A Realtor who holds a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation is specifically trained to understand the needs of older clients and offer them appropriate guidance throughout the buying or selling process.
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by Susan Quilty on August 4, 2010
Active adult communities across America are available in a range of sizes. The largest may encompass more than 10,000 residences, while more intimate communities may include less than 100 homes. Smaller active adult communities often do not have as many resort-style amenities as their sprawling counterparts, however they can be ideal for those who are less interested in centralized community events and activities.
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by Susan Quilty on June 14, 2010
Active adult communities come in a range of sizes and styles, from intimate neighborhoods to sprawling resorts. The largest age-restricted communities contain more than 10,000 homes and feature a wide selection of amenities, including shopping centers that make it easy to manage day to day living. While sprawling resort-style communities are usually found in popular retirement states such as Florida, Arizona and California, newer developments in Texas, Nevada and South Carolina are becoming more common.
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