LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE! Did you know that people are living longer than ever before? Today, planning for the future includes more than just a healthy 401k. Retirees need to find meaningful, productive activities to fuel their life. The stereotype of our elders riding out the remainder of their days in a rocking chair on the front porch are no more! Today, seniors are replacing a sedentary lifestyle with ACTION – golfing, swimming, cycling, walking, Zumba, socialization and more! There is no time like the present to live out our lifelong dreams and aspirations.
Some INTERESTING statistics (according to the Retirement Research Foundation in Chicago and the Denver Post) to put things into perspective:
- By 2030 people over age 65 will number 69.4 million, 20 percent of the population.
- Since 1900 the percentage of Americans 65+ has more than tripled.
- Since 1960 the elderly population has grown 107 percent, while the total population has grown only 50 percent. But from 1960 to 1997 the nation’s income, adjusted for inflation, increased 221 percent. Thus, despite the growth in the proportion of the elderly, overall standards of living have improved.
- By 2030, when the 76 million baby boomers reach advanced ages, one in five Americans will be aged 65 and older as compared to one in eight today.
- Today persons reaching age 65 have an average additional life expectancy of 17.6 years.
- The 76 million baby boomers (born 1946-1964) who are approaching retirement age are considered the most fit, best educated and most affluent group of people ever to retire. Just as this group influenced the youth culture, they are influencing all of us who are or will be retiring.
- Every day for the next 20 years 10,000 of them will celebrate their 55th birthday.
- Currently, there are about 50,000 centenarians in the U.S. This is the fastest growing segment of the population, and the second fastest is the age group 85+.
A well-balanced retirement begins with a healthy physical and mental mindset which include:
l Good physical health (exercise and a well-balanced diet) l Possession of basic resources (housing, food, heat) l Good social network (friends, family) l Sense of purpose (impact in this world) l Engaging in activities (such as volunteering, working, and hobbies or interests)
Although these factors may seem obvious to some, seniors need to assess the balance in their lives with the above in mind to uncover not just the challenges of everyday living, but OPPORTUNITIES for the FUTURE.
THE SNOWBIRD and SUNBIRD: For many retirees, OPPORTUNITIES for the FUTURE may include becoming a “Snowbird” - a northerner who moves to a warmer southern state such as the Gulf Coast of Florida in the winter. In addition, many southerners opt to become a "Sunbird" - a person who leaves a warmer southern state in the summer migrating to a more northerly region such as the coastal area of Southern Maine for cooler summer breezes. As a House Hunter and Realtor for EXIT Realty in both Maine and Florida, my goal is to help clients build a plan for the future and establish the lifestyle of their dreams in this next phase of life. As you can imagine, there are many decisions to be made! Some questions you may be wondering are:
- Do we sell our current home or hold it as an investment?
- If we downsize, how many square feet will we need in our new home to live comfortably?
- How much storage space will we need?
- Do we need a garage or carport? Do we need an oversized garage for a golf cart?
- Do we need space for a home office AND guest bedrooms?
- Do we purchase property in a remote, suburban neighborhood or a gated, amenity rich community with a social director and local resources nearby?
- Are there deed restrictions – ie. rental restrictions, fence restrictions, pet restrictions, vehicle / recreational vehicle restrictions, age restrictions (55+) etc.?
- What is an HOA & CDD?
- What is the 28-day rule?
- Do we want a private pool with a spa or is the community pool and amenity center the perfect option for us?
- What type of view do we want – waterview (pond / intercoastal / canal / gulf / atlantic / marsh), preserve view?
- What is the distance to the closest beach – Beaches at Boca Grande, Manasota Key Beach, Venice Beach, Siesta Key Beach, Beaches in Anna Maria Island, Bradenton Beach, Short Sands Beach, Long Sands Beach, Wells Beach, Moody Beach, Ogunquit Beach and more?
- Is flood insurance a requirement?
- Is there a management company to oversee leasing and/or property check while we are away?
- What are my mortgage financing options?
- When is the best time to BUY and SELL?
Real Estate transactions can be filled with emotion! My job as a Dedicated Relocation Specialist is to help individuals EMBRACE CHANGE with manageable, logical steps and have FUN while doing it!
Remember, you’ve got this one life, LIVE it! To schedule a phone consultation, call or text 203-313-4349 or visit my website(s) at www.venicehousehunter.com (Florida) or www.vacationlandhousehunter.com (Maine).
Karen Udiskey - ABR, SRS, SFR
realtor / recruiter / engagement leader
affiliated with EXIT King Realty in Venice, Florida and EXIT Oceanside Realty in Wells, Maine