Nearly everyone, when they are buying or selling a home, uses the services of a Real Estate broker. But many people do not know what role their Real Estate Broker should play in the whole and often complex process. You should know what to expect from the broker so you know what your role is. You don’t want any surprises with what is likely to be your biggest financial purchase (in the case of the buyer) and sale (for the seller). And you want to be sure that the agent broker is representing your best interest. Remember that the buyer and seller of a house are negotiating over a significant asset sale and the real estate brokers all stand to gain if the house is sold and gain more if the house is sold at the highest price.
Many brokers are backed by bigger organizations (whether national firms Caldwell Banker, Century 21 or the many solid regional and local firms) with broad networks of contractors who can help the sellers with pre-closing repairs or help the new owners with post-closing remodeling. The broker is not likely to knowingly recommend a lousy service provider but even if referred by the broker, take the time to get other references for the contractor.There are many more options to the type of housing for retirees than ever before. The better to match your lifestyle and social interests.
I am one of the many in the “sandwich generation,” the generation that is sandwiched between caring for their children and, at the same time, caring for one or both of their parents. I have learned a lot about what it takes to live happily as you age and this will serve my wife and me well as we get older and look forward to retirement and a changed lifestyle. What housing will best help me facilitate my dream retirement?
My wife and I are doing administrative things now that we had never thought of doing like getting all our insurances in order such as life, car, home, umbrella and, the recently applied for, long-term health care. We have created well-organized files so the spouse or kids will not have to work too hard to find the important documents that they may need in our absence someday. We would like to make it easy for our kids to take care of us. And, we would like our kids to want to come visit us wherever we live.
Even for those whose parents are very happy at their assisted living facility, most children would like the homes to be less sterile and regimented. These “kids” in their 40s, 50s and 60s, are thinking out of the box about their homes. Whether they are looking for housing for their parents of thinking ahead for themselves, they are inventing new models; not blindly willing to accept the traditional ones and the focus is on community and activity.
According to Sally Abrahms writing for the aarp.org Bulletin, people “desire to be part of a community that shares common interests, values and resources.” Neighbors will help one another and socialization and continual learning is paramount to every day living. When necessary, outside professional caregivers will be hired to meet the specific needs of any individual. The types of living arrangements are gaining popularity and starting to pop up around the country. Here are just a few to look for:
- Niche Communities – live with others who share similar lifestyles, backgrounds and interests. Some day, no matter what your interest, there will be a Niche Community for you. Were you a college professor? Are you gay? Are you a Grateful Dead head? There will be communities for you.
- Cohousing – a group, usually composed of strangers at the start, create a communal-type housing arrangement. In some cases, “the group may buy the property, help design it, make all the rules by consensus and manage it independently.”
- Green House – a new style of nursing home that feels more like a cozy house rather than a sterile, cold, institutional setting. There is professional nursing staff on hand to care for a small group of individuals who benefit from having their own rooms and privacy.
- The Village Model – Live in your own home or apartment and receive discounted, vetted services and social engagement opportunities. By using a Co-operative type model, there are group discounts that enable the members of the village to take advantage of concierge services. You can call a central number to get nearly anything you need.
The 78 million baby boomers moving into their retirement years are driving this innovation. No more being stuck with only traditional choices. I still have a ways to go (I certainly hope so) but I can see that the ever-changing demographics and housing choices will only benefit my friends looking to help their parents… or my kids when it is time for them to help Mom and me.
To learn more, go to aarp.org/elderhousing
