5 STEPS TO FIND YOUR PERFECT RETIREMENT HOMESTEADING PARADISE

Ah, retirement — throughout your career, it was the stage in life you looked forward to with excitement. Now that it is finally here, it's time to discover the perfect home for your retirement. The digital new era of real estate makes it easy to get started by clicking your way through several possible locations for your golden years' personal paradise. Yet if your retirement dream includes upsizing to a homestead, things can feel not only exciting, but a little bewildering.

Modern Real Estate is ready to help, starting with these five tips to guide you on your journey towards homestead living!

1. Tally Up Your Wants

Let your creativity run free as you think about what you want to do in retirement and what type of house you need to make that dream a reality. Depending on your plans, you may want to upsize instead of moving to a smaller home. If you plan on entertaining friends, you need a home with sufficient space for socializing. A focus on more time with grandkids calls for a playroom filled with toys and a yard big enough for children to play in.

Would you like to make a little money with your new place? Perhaps you plan to turn a hobby into a career and need home office space or an art studio. If you are a foodie or just love working the soil, think about a place in the country with room for crops or vineyards.

2. Decide on a Realistic Budget

Once you know the type of home you want, look at your retirement budget to figure out how much you can afford without going into debt; U.S.News notes you should remember easy to miss items, like Medicare premiums and emergency home repairs. Find out what your current home is worth, and if you plan to sell it while purchasing your new abode, things can get tricky. Just make sure you’re well aware of the ins and outs of that type of situation. Your home might not sell before you close, or you might not find your dream property until after you receive a great offer. You don’t want one side of your transition to linger without being fully prepared. 

3. Hire the Right Real Estate Agent

The new era of real estate means you need the right agent on your side to find that personal piece of paradise. Find a trustworthy and professional agency like Modern Real Estate, who will send you instant email notifications of properties that match the criteria of your wants and needs, as well as pre-listed homes that have not hit the market yet. If you are selling a home, make sure the agent does reverse prospecting and lead generation through social media marketing.

4. Buy Your Dream Home Quickly

Once you have found your dream home, act quickly to make it yours! Today's real estate market moves rapidly, and in many locations there are more buyers than sellers. Work with your agent to put in a good offer on the property, even if your current home has not sold yet. You can always request an extended closing beyond the typical 30 days if need be.

5. Consider Moving Assistance

You have purchased your home and are ready to move — congratulations! Now comes the tedious tasks of sorting, packing, dealing with boxes, getting a moving van and physically making the move. Don't overdo it; you do not have to go it alone here. There are professional Senior Move Managers® available for hire who will help you every step of the way. For those items you want to box up yourself, use the right packing material to protect the contents and keep the weight under 30 pounds to prevent any unexpected injuries to yourself while lifting the box.

Finding your perfect retirement paradise depends on what you want to do with your time, how much you can afford to spend and what is available in your desired location. With the help of a great real estate agency and a move manager, you will soon be enjoying the dream home and life you envisioned during your working days.

Connect with Modern Real Estate to make this transition.

BOB SHANNON

DECEMBER 28, 2020