buying a home that wasn’t even on the market — and this is far from uncommon. You might be out and about and suddenly and randomly spot a home in a neighborhood you like and declare it’s “the one” — even though it’s not for sale. If you’re with your agent, they can often check in to see if the current owners would be open to selling. And this can sometimes work out for you! Never settle for something that isn’t quite right for you and your new situation — never settle for a home that doesn’t meet all your needs. But, if you happen to spot your new dream home, even if it’s not for sale, it never hurts to ask! The main point here is that every buyer’s home-search process is different in the downsizing process. What happens, or what works out for one buyer, won’t necessarily turn out to be the same for another. Don’t feel pressure because of something that worked out for someone you know. Purchasing a new home, whether it’s a smaller house, a townhouse, a condo, or an apartment, is a big decision, and could very well be the last real estate purchase you make if you decide not to transition into community living. So don’t take the decision lightly, don’t settle for something that isn’t quite right, don’t make a hasty decision because you feel pressure or because you’re just tired of looking and waiting, and definitely don’t choose a new dwelling that you aren’t 100% comfortable with or sure about.
So, then, where do you start?
FIRST, MAKE A LIST
So, you have imagined your ideal new home for enjoying the next stage of your life — your relaxing, leisurely golden years — but what you hope your new home will look like and what features it will have will become much clearer if you actually take the time to put pen to paper (or type out a document on a computer if that’s an option for you) to make a complete checklist of both
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