Apart from its rich history, the southern United States offers a great environment for those seeking to retire in peaceful communities. As the Baby Boomer population is scaling down by moving to more rural areas, it’s important for seniors to transition properly and make the most of the Southern experience.
Here are a few tips to consider if you’re opting to retire in the South:
1. Know where to settle down
First and foremost, you should be able to determine the right city where you can lead a new life. As a good rule of thumb, opt for cities that have a decent cost of living, affordable real estate market prices, and communities that fit your lifestyle preferences. That being said, you may need to conduct a great deal of research to find the right places where you can retire. Focus on the median real estate values, as well as the availability of recreational facilities and other amenities. You should also look into local tax laws to determine whether home ownership costs will be a burden on your finances.
2. Get a licensed realtor
This won’t be your first time shopping for a home, so you may be thinking that you do not need to hire a real estate professional. But when it comes to finding a residential property in the South, getting a licensed realtor can actually help accelerate the buying process and provide the best results in terms of pricing.
For this, you can ask people you know for recommendations. It’s also important to vouch for a realtor that has extensive knowledge about the local real estate market. Aside from referrals, you can also go online and search for the right people to help you with your needs. Use location keywords to get a good list of local real estate professionals you may want to consider.
3. Consider the climate
The South is known for its warm to mild climates. If you have been living in colder regions for a very long time, you might as well make the necessary preparations, especially when it comes down to taking care of your property.
For this, you will have to focus on the furnace and HVAC units to ensure better adaptability to the warm weather. In terms of insulation, you can focus on getting the right R-values for the basement and attic. Lastly, when it comes to lawn maintenance, you may as well determine the requirements of the type of grass that you have. In Virginia, for instance, residents are required by law to practice core aeration to keep the soil healthy. In fact, according to this Arlington lawn guide, core aeration can help prevent moss growth and promote better growth for your grass.
4. Consider your financing options
Of course, you need to determine if you can afford moving to the South, which shouldn’t be much of a problem. However, it’s applying for a mortgage that poses a challenge to settling down. For this, you will need to know how you can manage your self-directed individual retirement account, which also covers real estate investments if you’re planning to build a commercial property portfolio while you’re in your retirement years.
Comments