Avoid These Common Regrets Retirees Have About the Home They Chose

St. George is a popular place to retire, with a climate, housing market, and community that is ideally suited to your golden years. Many of our clients are considering active adult communities in St. George or are looking at other homes for sale in St. George for their retirement years. If you are planning to buy a home in St. George when you retire, pay attention to these common regrets retirees have about the home they chose. 

Location

Even after you narrow your choice to the right city for you, finding the right place within that city is still important. Retirees might regret choosing a home that is far from essential services like grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and recreational activities. A lack of convenient access can affect their daily lives and overall enjoyment of retirement.

You'll also have options to choose between neighborhoods that are designed with a retirement lifestyle in mind, like active 55+ communities. Consider whether you'd like to live near neighbors who probably have lots in common with you, or if you prefer living away from people to have more privacy and space. 

Size and Space

Some retirees choose larger homes with the idea of hosting family gatherings, only to find the upkeep and maintenance burdensome. They may regret not downsizing to a more manageable space that suits their lifestyle. 

On the other hand, retirees who downsize too much might find their new home cramped, especially if they need extra space for guests or hobbies. They may wish they had chosen a slightly larger property to accommodate their needs.

So how can you know if downsizing is right for you? Take some time to consider, with your partner if you have one, how you really plan to spend your time. Think about your budget, your future plans, and making sure that you don't make plans that depend on other people (like adult children or close friends) making compatible plans. 

Too Much Maintenance

Retirees often regret choosing homes with extensive landscaping or older properties that require significant upkeep. The desire for a low-maintenance lifestyle may lead them to wish they had opted for a newer or more manageable home. 

For others, choosing a home that is higher maintenance is worth having the property they dreamed of for retirement, but it becomes essential to budget for services that will keep up with the maintenance. Keep these factors in mind as you are house hunting, even getting quotes from landscaping or house keeping services to find out what you should be prepared to pay. 

Aging in Place Compatibility

If you're like most of our clients, you don't want to move again once you choose the home you will buy for retirement. In order to stay in this home as long as possible, you need a home that is compatible with aging in place. 

Some retirees fail to consider how their needs may change over time and that they didn't consider future mobility issues. Homes with stairs or limited accessibility features can become challenging as health needs change, leading to regret over the lack of foresight.

Dave Van Nus with We Know Portland Real Estate explained the perspective he shares with his retiring clients: "Many retirees often regret not considering the long-term practicality of their retirement home, such as its size, maintenance needs, and accessibility features, realizing too late that their chosen property may not fully support their evolving lifestyle and health needs. If there is ever a time to buy a home with your future at the forefront of your mind, it's your retirement years."

Ready to find your new home in St. George? Contact us any time.