Step #5: Choose a Location
“Location, location, location!” While this term is often thrown around loosely in real estate, it’s used for a reason. In this case, this term refers to the fact that, hands down, one of the most important choices someone can make when deciding which home to buy is location. For example, you’ll need to take into consideration the specific area of the city you’ll be moving to, the specific neighborhood, proximity to amenities and services that are and will continue to be important to you, crime statistics, noise levels, neighbors, parking, traffic. The list goes on. Many seniors are particularly keen on quiet neighborhoods with low crime rates and easy access to needed amenities. As you can see, all of these components comprise the important factor of location. In the end, you need to picture yourself living not only in the home in which you’re interested, but also its location. Can you really see yourself living there? This is an important question to ask and consider before you proceed with the home-buying process.
Step #6: Choose a Home Design
When it comes time to choosing home design, keep in mind that I’m not referring to interior design or décor; rather, I’m referring to the type of home. This can mean a small, single-family home, a townhouse, a condo, an apartment, a bungalow style, or a two- story home, as well as features such as basements, yards, garages, and, overall, how the home is designed. Homeowners who are downsizing are often looking for smaller homes that are on one level (without stairs), and are less
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