I call most retirees looking for a new home Last Time Home Buyers. I always ask retirees if this is the last time they are going to move, and most say yes. Why is this an important question?

When I ask this question I am really wanting to know what kind of home to show them, and then we can clarify this point as we look at homes in the MLS before heading out.

If you say that you are moving for the last time and then you ask to see two story homes where the master is on the second floor, you are not a Last Time Home Buyer. After all, if you can no longer navigate the stairs, you will have to move, making another purchase (and perhaps a sale first). If you ask to see homes with lots of steps to get into the home, then the same issue is brought to light. If you ask to see homes that are on somewhat rough mountain roads and hard to navigate, then again I would question whether you are really a Last Time Home Buyer.

So what exactly is a Last Time Home Buyers home like? My suggestions for this kind of home would have to have several features:

1- It needs to be completely accessible. By this I mean that there should be no steps anywhere that would block you from accessing the home at any point in your life. This means from the car to the inside of the home.

2- The drive needs to be an easy one in and out. It would be devastating to have a home that is accessible and then not be able to drive in and out. You also may want a wide garage door so that in your later years you can drive in without fear of hitting the sides. Think about how well you can access the garages of the homes you are looking at.

3- Another big item would be to look at homes with minimal exterior maintenance. Brick or stone siding, metal roofs, and easy to clean interiors would be great. Considering a condominium or Townhome would be wise as well, since the exterior maintenance is taken care of for you as part of the dues.

4- Will you be having a lot of company? How much room do you really need? This should be assessed carefully. Too much space to clean can mean paying for more room that you need. And more in utilities than you would want to spend.

5- And the biggest reason to think carefully about the home you purchase as your last home is that you may have to sell quickly to access funds for care. Is the home in a desired neighborhood. Does it have features that allow it to sell quickly even in a rough market?

Are you considering buying the last home of your life? It doesn’t have to be a depressing job. But if you think carefully and plan ahead you may just stay in your home to the very end. From what we are seeing, retirement communities and nursing homes are filling beyond capacity. There just is not enough room to go around as the Baby Boomers grow in size. It will only get worse! Plan carefully and you may just find that you have played your cards correctly and can stay in your home longer than most. And you can have a beautiful home you love to stay in for a long time.

I believe that you can have both! Let me know how I can assist you in moving to your Last Time Home Purchase.