Downsize to a 55+ Community…and Upgrade Your Lifestyle
There comes a time when empty nesters or long-term homeowners start thinking about the next phase of their lives. A larger home was necessary while they were raising families or needed extra space for work. Now they might be thinking that they don’t need all the room, and frankly, maintaining a large, older home requires too much money and time. But is downsizing realistic? Of course it is! We’ll help you sort out the whys and hows to do it right.
Less is more
For most of us, decades spent in one home means we have accumulated a lot of “stuff.” Closets, attics, basements, and garages fill up with things collected over the years – memorabilia, furniture, and household items no longer used but were never donated, sold, or tossed. As you look around your home, you can probably even pick out the things that you wouldn’t need if you moved to a new home. Garage-cluttering lawnmowers and yard tools are no longer necessary if you have a landscaping service handling those chores!
While the process can be emotional and overwhelming, simplifying your life also is liberating. Don’t think about it as sacrificing comfort or personal style. Instead, downsizing focuses on balancing necessity, purpose, and joy. In the end, a smaller home will somehow feel bigger because you’ve made room for what really matters to you.
The hidden costs of larger homes
Large homes do cost more on paper — they usually have a higher purchase price, which leads to a higher mortgage, along with costlier property taxes and insurance, and more expensive utility bills — but they also demand more in the time and attention needed to keep up with maintenance. Repairs on older large homes add up, not to mention the weekends spent on housework and yardwork. Shouldn’t you be doing more with your money and free time? The grass really could be greener with a new construction townhome.
Consider a 55+ community
If the idea of a 55+ community is giving you pause, then you might not truly understand what it’s all about. Push aside thoughts of a retirement home and a boring neighborhood. A community of residents aged 55 and older can be exactly what you’re looking for. Some of your neighbors might be retired, others might be in the final years of their careers, but you can be sure many of them are looking for a social environment with their peers. A place like Martins Crossing is a purpose-built neighborhood where people in the same season of life come together.
Low maintenance living
Lawn care and snow removal are handled by many 55+ communities. Easing the burden of many exterior maintenance responsibilities shortens your personal to-do list and creates more time for doing what you want to do when you want to do it. Take a spontaneous road trip for the day or spend a lazy morning with coffee and nothing on your agenda. You might also find time to pick up a new hobby, schedule more frequent tee times, or commit to a volunteer organization you just couldn’t fit into your schedule before. The opportunities are endless.
Affordability: Crunching the numbers
When you sell your large home and purchase a smaller new construction home, you’ll likely find yourself with some leftover cash that can be used as you see fit. The long-term savings that come with your new 55+ community home – lower utility bills and property taxes – can substantially add to your care-free living budget. Think about your bucket list, which might include incredible vacations and activities you had previously delayed or just didn’t think were possible. Choosing a home in southern New Hampshire puts you in easy distance from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. With several airlines and recently expanded service, all you have to do is pick a destination.
How does all of this sound? If you’re ready to consider the possibilities of a downsized, upgraded lifestyle, contact us for a look at Martins Crossing in Hooksett.