GMAC Real Estate Choosing a Second Home for Retirement
GMAC Real Estate

Articles & Resources

Specialty Real Estate

Real Estate Calculators

Room Planner

Choosing a Second Home for Retirement

Takeaways

  • A second home destined to become your retirement home should meet your needs as you grow older.
  • Make sure the home is senior friendly with few steps, low countertops and other features.
  • Accessibility to family, friends and medical facilities is a primary consideration.

Did you know?

  • Almost 20% of vacation second home buyers intend to eventually retire to the house.
Find the perfect spot for your retirement.The second home purchased with the intent it will eventually become your retirement home has a few unique objectives. Vacation second homes are bought for pleasure and maybe for some rental income, and investment real estate is bought to earn money. A retirement second home is bought to become your primary residence, and to meet your needs as you grow older.

Look at the Layout

A key consideration is the layout of the house. Is it senior friendly? Steep stairs on the inside or outside of the house can be difficult for seniors to negotiate. If a homeowner is in a wheelchair steps are only one concern, narrow doorways can make it tough to move around the house and high countertops may be inaccessible. The frame of the house also needs to be sturdy enough to install grab bars in places where seniors might need help getting up and down.

Easy to Find Brings Peace of Mind

A tucked away mountain retreat won’t make for the best retirement second home. The house should be near a major transportation center to be easily accessible for friends, family and medical personnel. A second home that is too remote could discourage visitors, and in the event of a medical emergency you want the professionals to get to your retirement home quickly and easily.

Speaking of Medical Care...

A final retirement second home criteria to keep in mind is the quality of medical care in the community. Seniors often need regular medical care, including visiting specialists. Couple that need with diminished mobility and it makes sense to choose a retirement second home where it’s not only easy for medical professionals to reach you, it’s also easy for you to reach those same professionals.

Along with medical care, social services can also be important for retirees. A retirement second home in a community with strong senior social services can provide recreation and other activities geared for people enjoying the golden years in a retirement second home.

Search for Second Homes for Sale

To search for a selection of second homes for sale, please visit lifestylehomesearch.com, or visit the website of a GMAC Real Estate Office that serves the area where you'd like to buy a second home. To learn more about buying Second Homes or Vacation Homes, explore the rest of this section, or contact a GMAC Real Estate Agent.