Ashley Hanson

Four Tips for Senior Citizens Looking to Buy a Home Moving or buying a home is a big decision, no matter your age. Whether you want to downsize your current home or move closer to your family, there are many critical points you want to consider before and during the moving process. Leaving your home where you've made memories can be hard, but these four tips will help ensure that the moving process goes smoothly. 1. Plan Ahead in Order to Age in Place Aging in place simply means that your home ages as you do. For example, if you buy a two-story home, you want to make sure that you have a bedroom on the first floor in case stairs present a problem later in your life. Other things you want to plan for are modifications like wider hallways in case you need a wheelchair or walker, or things like grab bars. Don't forget the outside as well and look for things like even walkways and the local crime rate. 2. Hire a Local Realtor Few people have as much knowledge about the immediate area as a local realtor. Consider hiring a reliable realtor with a solid reputation to help you buy your home. Don't be afraid to shop around and ask about the realtor's credentials or if they're a​ ​Senior Real Estate Specialist​. This type of realtor specializes in helping people 50 and older buy homes, and they have specialized training. 3. Get Financial Help from Government Programs Depending on your state or city, there could be​ ​government programs​ available to help you finance your new home. They offer things like down payment assistance, housing vouchers, and counseling opportunities. If you have a disability, there are​ ​programs​ specially tailored to help people with disabilities buy a home that works for them. 4. Compare Your Options for Financing Unless you plan to pay cash for your new home, you want to compare your financing options to make sure you get an affordable rate. You can talk to your lender or mortgage broker and see what options may be available to you. Are you a​ ​first-time homebuyer​? Maybe you or your spouse was in the military and you now qualify for a​ ​VA home loan​? Perhaps you want a traditional mortgage. Either way, they'll help you explore your options. These four tips can help you seamlessly transition out of your home and into the home where you’ll spend your golden years.