What Retirees are Looking for in a New Home...A Good Deal!

Baby boomers own $84 trillion worth of real estate wealth, and they want to make the most of it in retirement. One of the chief ways they can do so is to downsize their home.

Many retirees are downsizing from larger family homes to single-story or low-maintenance properties.  Not only are these properties better suited to the changing accessibility needs of older adults, but they’re often cheaper to buy and maintain.

Those savings allow retirees to make the most of their home sale proceeds and create a financial cushion to fund retirement expenses, travel, healthcare, or hobbies.

Aging-in-Place Features

Aging-in-place improvements are crucial for many retirees. These home modifications use universal design elements to enhance the safety, accessibility, and comfort of a space. 

But adaptive living is more than just a matter of practicality—it’s also a top design trend for 2026.  Homeowners of all ages are increasingly incorporating discrete adaptations such as curb-less showers, smart lighting systems, and sleek grab bars that complement the home’s aesthetics. 

As more homeowners move less and stay in their homes longer, design experts predict these modifications will soon become standard practice, blending safety with contemporary style.

Low-Maintenance Properties

By retirement, most homeowners have had enough of maintaining a property...they want to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Likewise, they may not have the same disposable income they once did and opt to not spend on housekeeping services.

As such, they’re drawn to durable materials that require little upkeep, and energy-efficient appliances that keep overhead costs down.

But don’t mistake low-maintenance with flashy tech.  Whereas younger buyers might be impressed by flashy superficials like new granite countertops, TOTO toilets, or exotic hardwood floors, retirees who are looking for a new home tend to be much more focused on the ‘peace of mind’ fundamentals of a home.

These include Energy Star-rated appliances that reduce utility bills and environmental impact, stain-resistant carpeting that requires little maintenance and reduces fall risk, and non-porous countertops that are easy to clean.

Community and Convenience

Retirees want ways to enrich their free time, not waste it. As such, they prioritize communities with proximity to recreational activities, family, and services.

Neighborhoods with community centers offering recreational options like pickleball courts, swimming pools, and art classes are highly attractive. Sidewalks for walking and nearby places of worship further enhance the sense of community and accessibility, providing retirees with a well-rounded, engaging lifestyle.

These amenities offer more than just leisure activities. They foster social connections and an active lifestyle, both essential for retirees' physical and mental well-being. Communities designed with convenience in mind can significantly improve retirees' quality of life by promoting independence and social engagement, critical factors for happiness in retirement.

Retiring?  Here’s How to Find Your Dream Home

The path to your ideal retirement home begins with careful consideration of your personal needs, finances, and lifestyle goals. 

Start by assessing your budget and clearly defining your priorities—such as location, accessibility, or community features. While it’s ideal to have all of these elements, you may have to sacrifice one for another, so creating a hierarchy of your wants can also be helpful.

Partner with us.  We understand your situation and can streamline your search by finding homes that fit your criteria. Talk with your us about a financing plan to make sure that you’re able to maximize your equity without sacrificing your desires.

Once you've aligned your vision with practical considerations, you’ll be ready to move into your new chapter.

...and live Posh...even in retirement!

(314) 348-4033

Seniors Can Create "A Future" Not Just Avoid "The Future"

 Preparing for “the future” is dramatically different than preparing for “a future.” What a difference a little word makes!  Seniors quit preparing for the next chapter of life.  They stop thinking that there is a future and, consequently, they are on automatic pilot.

We plan for the future all our lives.  We plan to go to school, go to work, get married, have children and grandchildren, and retire.  And when that happens, often the planning stops.  We slide into this phase of maintenance and hedge our bets against calamity without really thinking about it.

Planning a future means embracing curiosity.  It means not leetting the calendar dictate whether or not your have something meadingful to contribute.  It means consciously and joyfully deciding that there is still more road ahead, and it's worth paving.

A future doesn't have to be big or bold...it just has to be yours!

Don't Be Vague About Your Plan To Downsize

Deciding where you want to live in retirement is an important step.  If you want to downsize, decide when you'd like to make your move and research exactly where you want to relocate to.

Look at home prices in areas you think you'd like to live.  Would the difference in cost, factoring in all the associated costs of buying and selling, give you the financial cushion you were expecting?

Consider what type of home will work for you (such as a low-maintenance condo) as well as what services you need.  Will your healthcare providers be easy to get to?  Are family and friends close?  Are there community and recreation centers close by?

If you plan to move to a retirement community, research the costs of places you think you'd like to live and check out whether you'd need to add yourself to a waitlist.  If so, set a date at which you'll evaluate whether it's time to do so.

A retirement plan isn't one size fits all.  Your specific needs and wants will determine what your plan looks like.

If you've decided that you'll sell your home as part of your retirement plan, but you haven't taken further steps to lay out where you'll live, don't wait to put a plan in place.

It will relieve stress for you and your loved ones if you make a retirement plan that factors in your needs, as well as the potential for the unexpected and lets you live your golden years in a way that best suits you.

4 Questions To Help You Decide Whether To Sell Your Home

Do you find yourself dreaming about a new home?  If you think it could be time to move to a new neighborhood, ask yourself these four questions to determine it it's time to take the leap:

1.     How happy are you with your current home?

If you're not feeling the love when you walk through the door, it may be time to start exploring available homes on the market.  Your home is your castle and should make you feel comfortable and at ease...not stressed and longing for something else.

2.     Do you love your neighborhood and schools?

A good neighborhood, strong school district, and neighbors you enjoy should be important to you.  There are plenty of homes on the market in fabulous neighborhoods that pride themselves on safety and community.  Give me a call to find out more.

3.     Do you have too little or too much home?

If the size of your family has changed recently, you may be left with a home that's too small or too large.  Let's find a home that's just right.  Whether you're looking to downsize or move up the ladder, there are plenty of options to choose from.

4.     Is it time to buy?

If you think it's time to make a move, give Judy Wrozier - Coldwell Banker Realty - Gundaker a call to guarantee you find a home that hits all the right notes.

Buying Your Dream Home Later In Life

Most homebuyers have a "dream house" that includes everything they want...whether it's a new kitchen, open floor plan, main floor master suite, outside kitchen...or all that and more.

So, how can you buy your dream house, whether you're in your 40's, 50's, or 60's?

The answer might be as simple as just deciding to do it.  People generally cannot afford their dream house in their 20's and 30's,  By the time they are in their 40's and 50's, they've got the money.

Newer, Smaller, Better

Some buyers move out of a costly or large home into a dream home that better fits their needs in terms of design, finished, and amenities.  The new home might offer an updated kitchen, open floor plan, main level master suite, new flooring...all with a bit less square footage.

Saying "NO" to Remodeling

The alternative to buying your dream home is trying to remodel your current house to be what you really want.  This doesn't appeal to many current homeowners.  Sometimes, a 20 year old home just starts to "feel old".  Rather than renovating and upgrading it, a lot of people take the easier route and buy something new.

The remodeling industry studies have shown that very few remodeling projects recoup their full value at the time of resale.  Most homeowners take a loss on their improvements when they sell.

The Big Decision

Despite the allure of their dream home, some buyers hesitate because they're not ready to make the transition or only one spouse is ready.  Once an unwilling partner can emotionally detach from the current home, a dream home can be in their future.