Homes are reflective of our personalities, our goals and our stage of life. As we grow and change, our homes should accommodate and facilitate a successful lifestyle. But this transition isn’t always smooth.
Pasadena Now sat down with Realtor, Meredith McKenzie, to talk about how she guides people towards more sustainable homes that will see them through their sunset years. Sometimes this means finding a new home and location that can better serve you.
“As I move into 2016. I’m going to be focusing more on being a service not only to my current client base who wants to live a sustainable lifestyle. But also to focusing more on those sellers who are reaching the point in their life where it’s now time for them to do what I call retirement relocation,” she said. This move can make it easier for people to make the most of their retirement savings, have better access to public transportation and hospitals and live nearer to family. Meredith especially understands these life transition needs as she is a baby boomer herself.
“Sometimes it’s because they are retiring from one job but they still were young enough that they wanted to do other work and they want to relocate to where that possible work opportunity is,” she added. But most people are looking for an appropriate low cost area where they can enjoy a high quality of life in their senior years.
Although everyone’s needs are different, McKenzie has noticed a few trends. “They’re usually looking for a single family, single story property. They don’t want stairs anymore so that’s important to them… I also see an increased desire in homes for what I call the younger seniors who are pretty much the ages 60 to 75. They’re buying a house that either has a guest property or has a wing that makes it feasible for their children and grandchildren to come and spend time with them,” she added. Other features like walk-in tubs and wide doorways are important considerations for people with mobility issues.
For some, senior communities are the right choice but others prefer more independence.
“I recommend that my clients focus on a single family home with one story and an easy care yard or on a one-level unit in a planned community for active seniors,” she added. McKenzie is willing to shop around for the best fit for her clients and understands how a good house can make a great home. Because Meredith is a member of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Relocation Network, she can assist her clients with home buying and home selling needs anywhere in the world.
Meredith McKenzie is a Broker Associate with Podley Properties, 897 Granite Drive Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 344-9755 or email her at [email protected].
