Buying a new home as a senior might be a common choice, but that doesn’t make it any less important. Most seniors buying a home do so intending to spend their retirement years there. As such, this purchase is arguably more important than buying a home in your youth. So, you need to be sure that the home you’re buying is the perfect one for you. Fortunately, there are ways to make the search much easier than it might seem. And in order to help you find the perfect home for you, we have put together a list of realtor’s advice for Kentucky senior homebuyers, and we hope you find it helpful.
Work with a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SERS)
The first piece of advice we can give Kentucky senior homebuyers is to find a real estate agent who know how to help seniors. Senior real estate specialists are agents who’ve gone through a special training program to help homebuyers and sellers in the 50 plus range. So, when looking for a home as a senior, your best choice is to work with one of them; however, you should still make sure they are reliable. Ask to see their credentials, and ask for contact information of previous clients so you can get reassurance. And, of course, always ask for how long they’ve been doing the job. Also, knowing what qualities to look for in a real estate agent can help a lot here. Since they will be helping you find your new home, you want to make sure they are reliable and trustworthy.
Working with a real estate agent is the best choice for senior homebuyers.
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Know what you want out of a home
This part of a home purchase is the same for homebuyers of any age. Knowing exactly what you want out of a home narrows down the search quite a bit. For example, if you want a home with two stories, your agent can immediately count out all single-story houses. Or, if you want a home with specific features, your agent can find only the ones with those features. And while housing in Kentucky, on average, isn’t nearly as expensive as elsewhere in the US, moving is hard, especially for seniors. As such, you want to make sure the first house you move into has everything you need. Of course, when it comes to residential moving, you can always rely on experts in this field to help you out. Hiring movers is, by far, the best choice you have when moving as a senior after all.
Think about aging in your new home
Even if age isn’t the main concern on your mind currently, it’s certainly something you should think about. Getting a home which can age with you is something you should seriously consider before settling for a house. Aging in place means that you can spend as much time as possible in one home, and it takes a bit of planning. For example, if you want a two-story home, make sure there’s a bedroom on the first floor in case stairs became an issue with age. Additionally, remember to think about the outside of the home: are the wide sidewalks and a level walking grade, is there easy access to public transportation and so on. Does the house have quick access to the road, so your movers can transport your belongings easily. Additionally, remember to think ahead to the move itself, and learn what you need to know about moving home.
Finding the right home is very important for seniors.
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Figure out your finances
Unless you plan on selling your old home and using the money to buy the new one, you will need to figure out how you can finance your new home. In Kentucky especially, conventional mortgage is always an option, but there is also the possibility of a reverse mortgage. If you or your significant other are veterans, then you could qualify for a VA loan. There are many options, and you should carefully consider all of the before deciding on anything. Finances should always be thought through, especially when heading into retirement. And, besides the home, you should also consider all of the other costs which come with buying a home. Taxes, closing costs, home inspection costs and so on. Experts from strongassmovers.com note that you should also consider moving costs when planning your finances. You should also be prepared for any hidden costs, just in case.
Plan ahead for the move
Arguably, the hardest part of the process for Kentucky senior homebuyers is the move itself. Doing it yourself isn’t exactly an option for seniors, and moving can be daunting even for youngsters. As such, planning well ahead of time is very important. Remember to ask the younger people in your life for help with packing, or hire professional packers to do it for you. Certain moving companies offer both packing and moving services, so you could get both in one place. And, of course, before deciding on a moving company, you should always compare prices and make sure they’re actually reliable. Do some research and make sure they aren’t trying to scam you. And once you find a moving company to get you into your new home, start planning. Prepare the essential articles for moving and prepare yourself for the process ahead of you.
Hiring movers is the easiest way to get you into your new home.
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Get help from the government
While there are always ways to find a new home and move into it without relying on anyone, you should keep in mind that there are home buying programs sponsored by your state or local government which can help out. Things such as housing counseling agencies, assistance programs and homeownership vouchers. Kentucky has programs specifically designed for seniors, too. Make sure you put to use all available resources.
Realtor’s advice for Kentucky senior homebuyers
Buying a home as a senior can be even more challenging than earlier in life. However, with careful planning and professional help, it doesn’t have to be hard at all. Additionally, with the help you can get from the government (especially in Kentucky) you barely have anything to worry about in the long run. That said, you should still prepare properly and plan ahead. We hope this list of realtor’s advice for Kentucky senior homebuyers helps you find the perfect home, and we wish you a wonderful rest of your day.
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