5 Considerations When Buying a Retirement Home

by Elsa Soto | Jul 1, 2021 | Blog, Real Estate News, Retirement / 55+

5 Considerations When Buying a Retirement Home

You’re ready to embark on your life’s next great chapter: moving to a Central Florida retirement home! According to AARP, retirees 65 and older want to live independently in their own home throughout their retirement and age in place. This brings forth some factors to take into consideration when buying a retirement home:

Browse Available 55+ Homes

Location

There are many things to consider when selecting a location to retire, whether it be proximity to loved ones, the climate, activities and more. You should also consider that when you get older, you may want to live close accessible transportation and essentials.

Senior Friendly Home

The conditions of your home matter too when you purchase a home to settle your retirement years in. While you may be able to navigate through a home with stairs seamlessly now, that may not always be the case as you grow older. You could look into homes with a main-floor master, step-free entrances and doorways wider in size.

Affordability of the Retirement Home

Your financial circumstances may very well be different once you retire. Creating a post-retirement budget will help give you a more realistic expectation when it comes to expenses and income. While calculating your retirement budget, ensure your projected income and expenses are taken into account as well making sure you’ll have enough money to cover house maintenance costs when needed.

Maintenance & Upkeep

When buying a retirement home in Central Florida, maintenance and upkeep are important considerations to keep in mind. You may be able to take care of some of these things now on your own if you’re in relatively good health, however you should keep in mind that as you age, some of these maintenances and repairs you could once do on your own will have to be taken care of through hiring service professionals.

Moving into a Central Florida retirement community where these services are included may be a good option, however, keep in mind that you will be having to pay a homeowner’s association fee. Another option to consider is to buy an Orlando new construction 55+ home which may help keep you off from having to deal with some of these issues early on.

Paying Cash vs. Financing

A question to ask yourself is if you will be paying in cash for your retirement home or opt for to financing. Choosing to purchase a smaller home in cash could give you a sense of security and you will not have to worry about monthly mortgage payments. Some prefer to select a 15-year term which would give you the advantage of paying off your Orlando retirement home faster, however, your monthly mortgage payments would be higher.

While it may seem more appealing to pay cash rather than opting for a mortgage, doing that will make liquid assets “illiquid” due to them being tied to the home. It is advisable to speak with a financial planner as well as a mortgage advisor about your situation in order to determine what option is best for you and your needs.

Ready to make a Move?

Bardell Real Estate are the experts in helping you with your selling, buying or renting needs near Orlando, Florida. Make your Disney area experience a forever memorable one. Call us now to speak to a real estate agent.

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Tohoqua Reserve: Kissimmee’s New 55+ Community

by Elsa Soto | Jun 10, 2021 | Blog, Buyers, Homes, Villas and Condos, New Construction, Property for Sale, Property for Sale in Orlando, Retirement / 55+

Tohoqua Reserve: Kissimmee’s New 55+ Community

Just outside of Orlando in the fun-filled town of Kissimmee, Florida, you will find the highly anticipated new construction 55+ community of Tohoqua Reserve. Pulte Homes began constructing this 730-acre gated community in early 2021 with the intent of building a total of 258 houses along a master-planned development.

The new retirement homes for sale are priced from the mid $200s to low $400s and range from 1,579 to 2,870 square feet. Their seven available floorplan options of single-family homes and attached villas are one to two stories, include two to three bedrooms and bathrooms and have attached two-car garages.

View Tohoqua Reserve Floorplans

Tohoqua Reserve’s homeowners’ association not only has an affordable monthly fee, but they also take care of maintaining the amenities and community landscaping, giving residents the luxury of relishing in a low-maintenance lifestyle.

Residents get access to not one, but two amenity centers; one specifically solely for the 55+ community members and another one open to their guests. The clubhouse is perfect for hosting a variety special events from networking meetups to memorable birthday bashes. Homeowners there can also work up a sweat at the fitness center or enjoy the neighborhood’s many exciting outdoor amenities, such as:

A resort-style zero-entry pool and patio wonderful for taking it easy and spending time with neighbors and friends
Lighted sports courts for activities such as tennis, pickleball and bocce ball
A children’s playground great for any visiting grandkids
A serene lake surrounded by a tree-lined walkway ideal for quiet morning strolls underneath towering oak trees
Trails over five miles in length that wind through the retirement community nice for walking, running or bicycling
Outdoor seating area and Formal Lawn

Tohoqua Reserve’s location of Kissimmee offers residents an endless amount of activity options from enjoying the beautiful Florida outdoors to experiencing the thrills of world-class tourist attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. There are multiple spots to enjoy nature nearby including parks, lakes and country club golf courses. The retirement community is just a 30-minute drive to Orlando and only a 10-minute drive from the Florida Turnpike to Highway, giving residents plenty of exciting entertainment and dining options.

Ready to make a Move?

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Behind the Gates of ChampionsGate

by Elsa Soto | Jun 4, 2021 | Blog, Buyers, Homeowners, Homes, Villas and Condos, Investment Property in Florida, Property for Sale, Property for Sale in Orlando, Retirement / 55+, Sellers

Behind the Gates of ChampionsGate

Nestled beyond the Gate within the heart of Central Florida lies the City of ChampionsGate. The location is one the most attractive features of ChampionsGate. Positioned within the Golden Triangle, I-4, SR 192 and SR 27, it is just miles from Walt Disney World, Posner Park for Shopping, Old Town, Orlando Premium Outlets, The Mall at Millenia, and countless casual and fine dining restaurants.

ChampionsGate will offer something for pre-retirees, retirees, and vacation home buyers and is sure to “wow” the international set. The convenient location, 22 different stunning home designs, and acres of lush landscaping and top of the line amenities will make this the most sought-after community in Central Florida.

So whether you are still raising the kids, ready to retire, want to enjoy the leisure life daily, or want a second home in a resort-style, amenity-filled community in sunny Orlando, Florida, ChampionsGate offers something for everyone.

The Retreat at ChampionsGate

The Retreat Entrance sign in champions gate

The Retreat Estates at ChampionsGate is the ideal place for your vacation home. This premier Lennar community offers resort-style amenities in a welcoming atmosphere. Several major highways link ChampionsGate to the surrounding areas for easy accessibility to major outlet shopping centers, Orlando’s International Drive and airport.

Residents of the Retreat Estates have access to the state-of-the-art, luxury-inspired Oasis Club. This exclusive clubhouse features a resort-style swimming pool with a lazy river and splash pad, a fully-equipped fitness center, a tiki bar, theater room, a restaurant and bar, and so much more!

The Estates at ChampionsGate

The Estates at ChampionsGate by Lennar is centrally situated near the Oasis Club water park complex and Clubhouse. This phase is aimed towards the buyer looking to purchase a first or second home but does not plan to place the property on the short-term rental market. This wonderful residential community will have golf course views and have larger home lots.

Merill Gardens 55+ Community at ChampionsGate

Merill Gardens 55+ Community offers private apartments with generous living spaces and a choice of floor plans. Bring your small pet and all the personal touches that make your house a home. Anytime Dining gives you the flexibility to enjoy your meals just like you did at home—on your schedule.

The activities calendar is driven by the desires of the people who live here—from fitness classes to charity work to community volunteering opportunities to games to outings—it’s all at your fingertips.

Chair yoga, giant crosswords, day trips, ice cream socials, skits, strength training, movies, bingo, swimming, wine and cheese tastings, TED talks, scenic drives, pet therapy, bread baking, national food day celebrations, jazz concerts, Bible studies, and picnics are just a few of the things going on in any given week. The only complaint seems to be that residents just don’t have time to fit it all in!

Ready to make a Move?

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