One of the most difficult real estate searches you might have to undertake is the search for a retirement property. For instance, it may be necessary to downsize your home to match your retirement income, and you may not want to give up the memories that this entails.
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To help mitigate some of these effects, you might want to consider a development specifically oriented for retirees. But even then, there are problems. Choosing to live in one of these communities is difficult, because you aren’t just choosing a home – you are choosing a new way of life. You want to avoid a depressing atmosphere and you want it to feel right.
Bryan Mills, a retiree himself, realized how difficult this search could be, so he decided to launch a website to help people in their search. Called www.adultlifestylecommunities.ca, the site aims to provide users with a synopsis of developments that are geared to retiring baby boomers. Since this is one of Canada’s fastest-growing groups, the site definitely has the potential to be very successful. Currently, the site only offers a list of developments in Ontario, but it is growing.
Mills said the point of his site is to give users an idea of what life in these communities will be like. “When we started to do our research, we found that to a great extent, many developers were selling homes, but not selling the lifestyle,” Mills has said. “And really, when you come here, you’re not buying a home as much as you are a lifestyle.”
These developments are not like traditional retirement communities, where people live in dour apartments. They are designed more like suburban residences, homes and townhomes. The difference is that the developments are organized around clubhouses where community activities are organized. The residents in the community – depending on which development it is – can also use communal facilities for golf, water sports and cycling.
The site gives facts about the developments, shows maps and floorplans and provides photo essays of the community. All of this information can help potential home buyers make choices about which communities to visit, and can save them time by eliminating communities that do not fit their needs.
Nevertheless, making a choice about these communities should not be limited to a website. After all – the site does not feature every community – and it’s always a good idea to consider choices that might not be your primary focus. Talking to a registered real estate agent can help you make sure you are covering all of your bases.
Nelson Goulart
Broker of Record with Signature Service GMAC Real Estate
www.ssgmac.ca
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