Buying Your First Empty Nest Home? 3 Features to Focus on Before Buying
When your children move into their own apartments or go to college, you may find that the home you've been living in is far too large for you and your partner. If this is the case, it's a good idea to consider selling your home and buying one that's a better fit for your new life as an empty nester.
If you're unsure of which things to look for when buying a home that will suit you well into your retirement years, it's a good idea to focus on homes that will be ideal for two people that will be getting older together.
Minimal Landscaping Maintenance
One of the best things to focus on when you're looking for a home that will be a good fit after your kids move out is one that has landscaping that's easy to care for. While you may have loved having a vibrant green lawn and lots of plants in the front or backyard, it can take a lot of time to keep everything maintained.
This can be harder to maintain after your kids moved out since it may have helped you with some of the upkeep for the yard. Looking for yards that are low-maintenance can make sure that you're able to keep everything looking great without discomfort.
Single-Story without Difficult Stairs
As you and your partner get older, your joints may not be as good as they were before. With this in mind, it's a good idea to look for a single-story property. Prioritizing a property that only has one floor can make a big difference in how strenuous it will be to get around the house after moving in. Even if the house has a single story, it's a good idea to also consider whether there are other stairs. This can include the front steps or the backyard deck since you may not be comfortable with having stairs at all.
Move-In Ready
While you may be comfortable doing some remodeling work in the past, this may not be something you're interested in as you get older. Looking for a move-in ready home that already matches your preferences can make sure that you don't feel the need to do remodeling after moving in.
Taking your time when speaking to a realtor that understands your needs for an empty nest home can make a big difference in the kinds of homes that you see and which features will be the best fit for you and your partner.