How do you make decisions, especially really important decisions like choosing where you want to live when you retire? Buying a new home at this time in our lives can be overwhelming for some and yesterday one of my clients asked if I had a Checklist that I could send her.
Lets break this Checklist into Sections, starting with
Location
Do you want to be
- in a community or in a town?
- close to the beach?
If a community, what kind?
- Age Restricted or All Ages
- Large Community (500 or more) or Small (100400)
If in town, what kind of home
- Historic Home
- Condo or Townhouse
- Newer Construction Single Family
Home
- # square feet
- bedrooms and baths
- basement, crawl space or slab
- sunroom, screened porch or patio
- specific requirements or additional space needed
Amenities
The more amenities within a community, the higher the monthly fee. So think carefully about the amenities that are important to you.
- Clubhouse
- Indoor Pool
- Outdoor Pool
- Fitness Center
- Golf Course (Private or Public)
- Tennis (One court or multiple courts)
- Walking Trails
- Game Rooms
- Workshop
- (You tell me)
What does the HOA or Condo Fee Cover, in addition to the amenities?
- Master Insurance Policy
- Grass Cutting
- Mulching and Trimming
- Exterior of the home or building
- Snow Removal
Miscellaneous
- Are fences allowed?
- Is the gas Natural Gas or Propane
This Checklist is a good start, but we are all different and no list can cover all the decisions you will make as you choose your next home. You can only get so far on the Internet and then you need to come look in person. When we work together, we get to know you by spending time touring the area, looking at communities and learning what appeals to you. This time help us help you narrow down the choices so that you can make a good decision.
We like to say that we dont have all the answers, but we do know the questions you need to ask and we know where to get the answers.
If you have a question we havent covered, we want to hear it. Email Kathy!