Neighborhood is another important aspect of location. If your dream home is in a noisy area, on a busy street, or an unfinished road, you may regret the choice later. Many downsizing homeowners place high value on quiet neighborhoods, and as people age, this often shifts from a want to a need. Once you’ve defined the ideal location—city, area, neighborhood, or street—you can focus on the specific features of the home itself.
FIGURE OUT YOUR NEEDS UR NEEDS
Make a list of your needs before you make a list of your wants. Needs are the non-negotiable—the essentials, the features you must have in order to comfortably enjoy the next chapter of your life. In addition to the obvious needs of a home, such as a good, solid roof, a strong foundation and structure, and working systems, you’ll need to think about: • Minimum number of bedrooms (remember, you’re moving into a smaller space, but you still might wish to host family members, grandchildren for sleepovers, and out-of-town guests) • Minimum number of bathrooms • Garage, for small houses and if you have a vehicle • Stairs/levels: Many seniors prefer one-level homes as they age so they don’t have to worry about stairs in case there are any mobility or health issues; also, trips or falls down the stairs become more of a risk for seniors • Yard, patio, deck—these are some features that are needs for some buyers who are downsizing; for others, they are just wants.
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