Why Retirees Are Selling Their Forever Homes

The question on many seniors' minds is when should they sell their forever home? A forever home, or sunset home, is the home you've raised a family in, hosted countless thanksgiving dinners, and built a lifetime's worth of memories. Seniors that put their homes up for sale could take a big step toward greater independence and peace of mind. Let's look at some of the biggest reasons many seniors sell their forever home.

Retirement and Changing Lifestyle

Retirement is a major life change and often is the event where seniors question if they should sell their homes. Kids leaving for college or moving to start families of their own is another change that affects home life. There may be empty bedrooms or game and family rooms that are no longer used. Unused spaces can bring on feelings of sadness or longing for what was. Finding a new home that's a better match could improve your new lifestyle and outlook.

Mobility Issues

A large home with multiple floors might not be conducive to your lifestyle or health. Seniors might have trouble navigating stairs, shoveling walks, and yard work may be harder to complete. You may find a more enjoyable life by finding a floor plan that suits your new lifestyle.

Of course, neighborhoods change, and you may find you're the oldest person in your neighborhood. It may be less comfortable to rely on the new neighbor to help open that jar of pickles or clean out the gutters. It's natural for us to want to be around like-minded people who share the same concerns and lifestyle.

It's Harder to Age in Place

Aging in place is possible, but extensive renovations could be too costly for many homes. Renovations could extend to:

Bathrooms
Adding of stairlifts
Widening doorways
Update lighting
Creating low-maintenance exteriors
Building of ramps
Changing old plumbing and flooring

These are just a sampling of considerations. In the end, modifying or renovating your home may not be cost-effective.

Desire to Live in a Walkable Area

Retirees are selling their forever homes to move into senior living communities that have everything within walking distance. Walking, as we all know, is one of the best exercises around, plus it's good for the environment, and there's no need to spend money on gas.

While in a forever home, seniors may feel stranded, especially if they no longer drive. Many people live in the suburbs, and walking to the grocery store is not possible. Imagine living in an area where you could walk to your favorite restaurant to visit friends or stop by the fitness center on your way home. Many senior communities are designed with walkability in mind and encourage residents to get out and move.

Challenges with Home Maintenance

The last time yard work was fun, we were jumping into big leafy piles as kids. Today yard work can put a heavy toll on older bodies and take longer to finish. Home maintenance includes snow removal, painting, and general upkeep of the home and yard. Seniors may find it hard to do daily chores inside the home, like laundry, vacuuming, cooking, and cleaning. Imagine not having to do any yard work and leaving it all up to someone else, leaving you more time to enjoy life. Most senior living communities provide interior and exterior home maintenance and housekeeping services.

Make Cash

Selling your house could bring in a large amount of money. Some areas of the country are in a sellers' market, with homes selling at record prices. For many seniors, their home may have a lot of value, and it makes sense to sell. Maybe you want to travel year-round visiting friends and family. Using the proceeds of a home sale could support a whole new lifestyle.

Gain More by Letting Go Approach

Seniors navigate new ways of living and adjusting to life every single day. Older adults learn how to adjust to aging bodies, build new friendships and embrace an ever-changing world. Selling a home might feel like a loss and that we're turning away from family and treasured memories. Seniors thinking of selling their homes shouldn't view it as a loss but as an opportunity to gain new adventures, independence, and a lot more joy.

Wherever your next adventure takes you, Marquette is close by.