It’s a really big deal when you are looking for a home that you know will be your final home purchase. It’s emotional. You want everything to be perfect. The decision feels critical. You can’t make a mistake. This is going to be where you live for the rest of your life. Literally.
I’ve had several clients in this situation lately. They are looking for that perfect forever home. They are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. They want this home purchase to be the final home purchase where they spend their last chapters. Some are moving a distance to a new area they are unfamiliar with. Some have health considerations. Some have financial restraints.
In all cases, this “final home” purchase feels heavy. There’s a lot of pressure to find the perfect home. Here are some considerations to keep in mind if you are preparing to find your forever home.
Location – Location may be one of the most important considerations. Are there certain towns you enjoy and would want to live in? Do you need to be close to highways for traveling? Do you prefer to be in the country or in a development? You can always upgrade a home, but you can’t pick it up and move it!
Style of home – Many people looking for that forever home want a primary bedroom and bathroom on the first floor. They are open to several styles of homes as long as they have one-floor living. Maybe you don’t want a second floor and would only consider a ranch-style home. Perhaps a bilevel home would work for you. Look at different styles and decide which ones would be options for you.
Move in Ready – Along with choosing the style of home you prefer, you need to determine if you are willing to do any renovations. Maybe if the home is in the right location with a great layout, it would be worth fixing up. Or you may want to walk into a move-in ready home. You may decide on a new construction home where you can choose the finishes and everything is brand new. Some of these choices may be influenced by how long you can remain in your current home until your new home is ready.
Size of property – When thinking about your forever home, also think about the yard work. Are there extensive flower beds that need maintaining? Is there a large lawn to mow and leaves to rake in the fall? Of course you can hire someone to take care of your landscaping, but think about how much land you want to manage.
Amenities – For some forever home buyers, they are at a stage where they just want to have fun. They are looking for a community that is near or includes lots of activities like golf, swimming, pickleball, social events, and more. They may want an HOA that mows the lawn and shovels the snow. What kind of lifestyle do you want your new home to provide?
Health care – Easy access to healthcare is a must when aging in your home. It’s not pleasant to think about, but most people will need some medical care as they get older. Getting to hospitals, specialists, and medical centers shouldn’t be difficult to do. Think about how close you want to be to medical care and check the locations you are considering for how long of a drive it would be to get there.
Proximity to family – Almost every client brings up their family, kids, and grandkids when talking about a move. They want to be close enough to get to family events, help babysit, and have someone nearby in the case of an emergency. Think about what minimum and maximum travel times you are comfortable with then map the locations you are considering to your family’s home.
Financing – Before starting your final home search, determine how you are going to finance it and what your maximum budget will be. You may have cash in an account for an easy purchase, or you mauy have money in investments that you don’t want to pull out. In this case, could a bridge loan or home equity line of credit work for you? Explore which financing options are best for your situation.
There is a lot of pressure when buying a home, and buying your “final home” just makes it all the more challenging! Really think through what options will work for you. Think about what you want today, but also what you will want down the road as you age in your home and community.
If you have any questions or would like a free consultation, please reach out!
By Launch Kits