RETIREMENT ROADMAP
Determining a suitable retirement community requires a great deal of thought. We’ve made it easier for you by providing the information you need to make that decision.
WHAT ARE YOUR LIFE GOALS?
To find the ideal lifestyle for your retirement years, you need to define what it is you want to accomplish, how you want to live and what type of home you’d like to live in. With so many choices, it can be a daunting task. We’ve provided as much information as you need to help you make these decisions.
How Much Time with Your Family?
How much time would you like to spend with your family – including your grandchildren? Will you want to live close by or have them visit you at your place in sunny Sarasota Florida? Will transportation to and from family visits be an issue? How many times a year would you like to visit or have them visit? Perhaps a second home or condo that you can enjoy at your discretion is right for you? These types of questions should be addressed before making any decisions about where you’d like to spend your retirement years.
Do You Want to Travel?
Determining what you’d like to do in retirement will help you make the best decision about what type of housing is most suitable for you. If you’re planning to travel a lot, you might want to consider a maintenance-free community or a condominium where you can just lock up and leave with no worries. Sarasota has its own International Airport, but is also close to Tampa International Airport as well as Fort Myers.
Are You Ready to Just Take it Easy?
When many people think of retirement, they think of all the free and leisure time they will have to do the things they have wanted to do for years but haven’t had sufficient time to do it. Think of the types of recreation that you want to participate in – golf, tennis, sailing, cultural activities, socializing, travel, etc. – and this will help you determine the kind of home you want to choose. For instance, an active adult community might be the best choice for retirees over 55 that want to live near people their own ages that have similar interests. Others might choose to forego all the maintenance issues that come with owning a single family home and opt for maintenance-free living. You might also choose to live in communities that offer specific activities such as golf, tennis or swimming. Don’t be discouraged by so many choices; that’s why we’re here to help. We have all the information you need about all the different areas and types of communities in Sarasota. Just give us a call to help you narrow your choices and find the ideal living situation for you.
Are You Interested Cultural Activities?
Sarasota is a Mecca of cultural activities. What do you enjoy the most? If you enjoy living in an area where you can stroll through the art galleries, or enjoy live theatre, the ballet, opera or even a symphony orchestra, then Sarasota will be a good choice for you. Every year Sarasota hosts a lively film festival with many planned social activities. If the arts are your passion, then you might want to consider living in the downtown area where you can walk to most of these activities. If you'd like to learn more about Sarasota's history, there are plenty of historical sites, like Spanish Point in Osprey.
What Are Your Hobbies or Sporting Activities?
As we explained before, if you have specific hobbies or interests that you want to continue, your choice in housing is very important. If golfing is your thing, you’ll naturally want to look at the housing offered on or near golf courses. If tennis is your passion, you could look for communities that revolve around the game. There are housing options in Sarasota that center around such activities as fishing, golf, tennis, boating, culture, hiking, biking, exploring, traveling, etc. Give us a call to find out which Sarasota communities cater to your specific interests and we’ll help match you to the ideal housing option.
Are You Trying to Keep in Shape?
If keeping physically fit is one of your main concerns, then finding the community that has a fitness center, or that is close to one, is important. There are many communities that offer more than one activity so keep that in mind. Many neighborhoods have biking and walking trails that wind through them. Some are close to parks where you can launch a kayak…a great upper-body workout! Looking for a community that provides state-of-the-art facilities is a good idea when this is your focus. Give us a call to find out which communities offer fitness centers.
Do You Enjoy Volunteering?
Now that you have ample time to enjoy the things that you’ve always wanted to and you’re ready to “give back” to your community, volunteering is a satisfying way to pay back your neighborhood with your time. There are so many volunteer opportunities in Sarasota—charity, arts, medical, children’s causes—that we’re sure you can find one that’s right for you. Just let us know what kinds of things you’re interested in helping with and we’ll make some suggestions for you!
Are You a Life-Long Learner?
Learning doesn’t stop after you graduate from high school or college. If you never had the time to take some classes that appeal to you such as ceramics, computers, learning another language, etc. then now is the time. You’ve worked long and hard for so many years, now’s the time to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. We’ve got so many educational opportunities here in Sarasota that you’ll find the class and the place to do it with no problem. Give us a call of let us know if you need help in finding the class or educational institution that’s right for you.
TYPES OF COMMUNITIES
As we’ve already discussed previously, there are many kinds of communities from which to choose. You just need to decide which one is right for you. To help you do that, we’ve provided an overview of the different types of communities available in Sarasota. If you’d like additional information about any of the housing options we’ve included, just fill out our personal home tour form or email us now for the answers.
The Maintenance-Free Community
The term “maintenance free” varies from community to community, so it’s important to read the deed restrictions and rules and regulations of the Homeowners’ association. In a maintenance-free community, you typically pay a monthly, quarterly or yearly fee to a homeowner’s association and, in return, the association contracts with outside vendors to handle the maintenance.
The maintenance-free lifestyle has many benefits for retirees and for second homeowners as well. Since most homes or villas in these communities have built-in alarm systems and the sprinkler systems and yards are maintained by the HOA, it is easy to just lock up and leave without having to worry. Most maintenance-free communities also provide for Internet and cable TV within the HOA structure.
Many of the maintenance-free communities are located within other communities such as The Founders Club, University Park, Deer Creek, Turtle Rock and Lakewood Ranch and The Enclave in Silver Oak. Additionally, there are many stand-alone maintenance- free communities like Willowbend in Osprey, Portofino on the Bay and Willow Chase in Nokomis just to name a few.
So whether you’re looking for an active adult community or a maintenance-free home, come and enjoy our warm Florida weather and put the days of shoveling snow behind you – way behind you!
Condo vs Single Family Home*
“The main difference between buying a condominium and a single-family home is the type of ownership you receive. With a condominium you get the exclusive right to the interior space of your dwelling unit, but the land, walls, grounds, fences and facilities are owned in common with the other owners in the complex. With a single-family home you are the sole owner of the building and the land it sits on. This is called "fee simple" ownership.
A condominium is usually attached to other similar units by a common wall, while a house is detached. However, a recent trend is to develop detached condominiums, where the land and improvements are owned in common. There are also some attached houses where the land is individually owned. These neighborhoods are called Planned Unit Developments (PUD.)
Condominium owners usually can't remodel at will, while single-family house owners are relatively free to make changes to suit their personal needs and tastes. Condominiums are governed by CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions), which dictate owners' rights and restrictions on those rights. For example, the CC&Rs may prohibit you from changing the exterior color of your without approval. Many single-family housing neighborhoods also have CC&Rs, although they tend to be less restrictive.
When buying a condominium you should include a contingency to review and approve the CC&Rs, the articles of incorporation, the bylaws and the rules and regulations of the condominium association. It's also a good idea to review the minutes of six to 12 months of board meetings to understand the current issues that are being discussed. Look over the financial documents such as the budget, reserve study and any assessments and find out how many of the units are non-owner occupied. This may affect your ability to get a loan. Finally, you'll want to know if the association is involved in any litigation. The seller, real estate agent or escrow company will order these documents from the management company for you to examine and approve.
Condominium documents are long and complex, and buyers often complain that they don't understand them. If you can't make sense of the documents, contact a homeowner association board member for an explanation. Or, hire a real estate attorney who is knowledgeable in condominiums to review the documentation and give you an outline of the important points.
Maintenance of the condominium complex is shared with the other owners. When you buy a condominium, you become a member of the homeowners' association. You pay a monthly fee, which covers management of the association, hazard insurance and routine maintenance. A portion of your fee goes into a reserve account for future maintenance and replacement of the improvements. Sometimes utilities, such as water, garbage and sewer are included in the monthly fee. Exactly what's covered by the homeowner fees varies from complex to complex. The responsibility for maintenance of a single-family house usually lies solely with the owner.”
*This information is provided by Neal Hribar
Many folks feel more secure living in a gated community. There’s also a certain “prestige” that goes along with living in this type of community. There are two types of gated communities in Sarasota. One is a manned gate, where visitors have to stop and be approved by the gate keeper. The gate keeper is usually notified by the resident in advance if a visitor is expected. The gate keeper’s job is to record everyone who enters the community and to make sure no one entering the community is undesirable.
Another form of gated community is one where there is an electronic gate that is monitored by a person entering a code on a keypad in order to gain access, or the visitor can call the homeowner and ask for entrance while at the gate.
Active Adult (or 55+ Communities)
For those of you over the age of 55 looking for an Active Adult Community, you’ll find the perfect location for your retirement in Sarasota.
With so many of these communities available, retirees find they are surrounded by people just like themselves – people who want to enjoy their privacy yet able to participate in activities such as social events, weekly dinners, bingo, casino nights, exercise classes, craft classes, group travel trips and much more.
Many seniors look forward to developments that offer a variety of recreational activities and the growing population of "Baby Boomers" is seeking golf retirement communities to live on, or near a golf course that they can play anytime. Many of these gated golf communities offer club membership as part of their amenity packages. Retirement neighborhoods often feature resort style amenities such as fitness centers, spas, tennis courts and nature hiking trails.
These active adult housing communities offer you luxury, convenience and value in superb locations. The options available for retirement living include new homes, townhomes, villas, modular homes, manufactured homes and condominiums within professionally developed neighborhoods, specifically for seniors’ lifestyles. There are wonderful and exciting neighborhoods where you can lead the active and healthy lifestyle you’ve been dreaming of. No matter your price range, home style, favorite activity or your location, you will find an abundance of perfect active adult communities to choose from right here in Sarasota Florida.
A number of active adult communities offer maintenance–free homes where you can take it easy and enjoy a carefree senior lifestyle. There are many adult condos and townhomes that offer peace of mind and significantly less upkeep than other home choices. Many active adult condominiums are designed with the over 55 demographic in mind and you’ll enjoy your new home without the burdens of time-consuming yard work and home repairs.
These senior living communities allow you to take advantage of the freedom from mowing lawns, trimming bushes and many of the hundreds of chores required to properly maintain your yard. Instead, spend your precious leisure time at your community’s amenities, out on the golf course, tennis courts, the beach or your boat!
Golf-, Tennis- or Boating-Centered Communities
As we discussed previously, there are many communities out there that have one or two central themed activities. Whether it’s golf, tennis or boating, you can find a community that centers around that activity. Let us tell you which communities specialize in which activities. Give us a call or email us now .
WHAT TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT IS BEST FOR YOU?
Which environment is most conducive to your well-being? Are you happiest on the beach? How about sailing on the bay? Is a vibrant city life more to your liking? Or is a secluded country setting more appealing? No matter what your environment you want to surround yourself in, we’ve got it here in Sarasota. Read on to find out more about these environments so you can better decide which is right for you.
Beach
Living on the beach offers its own rewards: the cool ocean breezes waving your hair around as you sit outside with a glass of Chardonnay; the sound of the water lapping up against the shore; taking midnight strolls with the soft sand giving way beneath your feet; the smell of the ocean after a rain; no matter what it is that attracts you to beachfront living, we know why you desire it. Perhaps, after living in the crowded, exuberant life of the city, you aren’t sure that the beach is where you’d like to spend your retirement years. Then now is the time to ask yourself a few questions such as what really determines the quality of a beachside home for you, in other words what features in a beachside home do you fancy?
Would the quality of the beach determine the attractiveness of the home? Or would the type of construction, size of the home and other such factors play the bigger role? Or does a home with a small private beach fit the description better? While many prefer to live in a trendy beachside condo, others would rather have a small island all to themselves. The tastes are as varied as the options. Only you can answer the question about what type of beach home suits you best. But if you need a little help with your options, give us a call for more information.
Bay
Sparkling Sarasota Bay is where many of Sarasota’s finest homes are located. If you enjoy boating, or seeing the city lights twinkling at night, or watching a boat pass by or just having pristine water views, then you might want to consider living in a home that has views of Sarasota. Living on the Bay in Sarasota is a wonderful experience and one that you might find pleasing. Let us help you locate the best Bay home for your needs.
City
You’ll love Sarasota’s city life. Some people never grow tired of the hustle and bustle of a city. Charming shops, fine restaurants and beautiful tree-lined streets are what you’ll discover in downtown Sarasota. If you thrive on the busy atmosphere and the connection with others then this might be your best option. Living in the city means easy access to all kinds of entertainment and activities. One thing’s for sure, it’s never boring. Let us help you find the perfect condo, townhome or home in the middle of vibrant Sarasota!
Country
Oh the joys of country living! Solitude, fresh air, friendly neighbors, slower pace … It’s true that living in the country can be relaxing with it’s slower pace and laid back atmosphere. In the country you can surround yourself with pets and animals of all kinds. You can maintain a garden and grow your own vegetables. From beautiful equestrian estates to true old Florida countryside, life is definitely simpler in the country. If that’s what you’re looking for, we can help you find it right here in Sarasota. Give us a call or email us and we’ll provide the many options you have for living in the country.
Equestrian
If you love riding horses or just enjoy contact with our equestrian friends, then we can help you find the best equestrian-centered community. Whether you’re a serious competitor or a casual rider, we want to help you find the right equestrian community.
We realize that horse property buyers have specific needs and we’re equipped with the information to help them find the best housing options. From wide-open spaces for horseback riding to riding arenas with stables to farms where you can enjoy taking care of your animals, you’ll find it here. Send us an e-mail if you'd like to receive some listings in one of our beautiful equestrian communities.
Master-Planned
Master-planned communities are generally distinguished by the tremendous number of amenities and conveniences they provide. Because of their sheer size, master-planned communities will incorporate extensive recreational amenities like lakes, golf courses and expansive parks with bike paths, and jogging trails. Alternatively, the typical subdivision may have an occasional smaller park or recreation area, and the size of the local neighborhood will be much smaller than found in a master-planned community.
In contrast, subdivisions are typically surrounded by general shopping, strip and/or commercial centers, but these local amenities are not part of the over-all original plan for the subdivision as they are in master-planned communities. Builders will build and assume that retail and commercial development will follow. In the master-planned community all these amenities are planned and included in the initial stages by the city and developers before any work is started by the construction crews. Sarasota’s best master-planned community is Lakewood Ranch. There is another, smaller community currently under construction in Osprey, called Bay Street Village. Call me for more information about these communities.
ENJOYMENT
What you enjoy doing most is key to figuring out where you want to live in retirement. You’ve had enough of choosing a home for its proximity to work and schools. Now’s the time to find a community that specializes in the things you like to do. Whether it’s fishing, boating, tennis, golf, or horseback riding, you will find a community targeted to that activity here in Sarasota.
Give us a call and tell us what activities you fancy most and we’ll help you find a home that will allow you to enjoy your life based on your own preferences. Or, if you’d rather, just email us now, we’ll set you up to receive listings in communities that would be most suitable for your desires.
WORKING
If you’re interested in continuing to work in your retirement, we can help you find the location that’s within close proximity of your place of employment. In fact, if you want to continue to work, your choices are almost limitless. You can work in an office, either full-time or part-time or work from home part-time or full-time.
If you’ve always dreamed of starting your own business, you’ll find that Sarasota has a lot to offer in the way of business assistance. Visit the Guide to Doing Business in Sarasota County for more information.
There are so many business opportunities in Sarasota, the hard part won’t be what you can do but what you want to do!
COMFORT LEVEL
What is your comfort level? How comfortable are you in your current environment? Are you at ease with where you are now? Do you know where you want to go? Are you more comfortable and confident around lots of people or just a few close friends? Is your current home making you happy or would you rather live on the beach or in a bigger city? What would make you more happy? Finding the answer to that question will help you decide how you want to spend your retirement years.
We can help you find your comfort level by asking you direct questions to ascertain your desires. For instance, do you want to scale down to a smaller home? Are you finding that now that the kids are grown you don’t want or need your familial home? Are you tired of constant maintenance of your home and yard?
What about your financial comfort? At what price point can I live that would allow me the lifestyle I prefer most? Can I buy this home with the equity from my existing home? Do I want to “move up” to a nicer home or better lifestyle? Or am I looking for a second home that I can visit whenever I want to? A second home is an option many baby boomers are making now that they’ve hit retirement age. They want to stay close to their families in their current location but want a “get-away” so they can escape for some quiet solitude or indulge themselves with new adventures. Read my "7 Steps to Getting Your Finances in Order" article for some helpful information.
A second home in Sarasota might be the ideal solution to your retirement needs. Use our handy Mortgage Calculator to help you determine how much home you can afford. Give us a call and discuss your options and we’ll give you all the information you need to help you make the best decisions about your retirement living situation.
ASSESSING YOUR HOUSING NEEDS
Determining a suitable retirement community requires a great deal of thought. We’ve made it easier for you by providing the information you need to make that decision.
First, read our article entitled “Needs Versus Wants Assessment” to help you identify what you need in a home to make you feel most comfortable. Then identify and prioritize your needs and wants in our handy, concise checklist called “Your Property Wish List.”
Knowing what you need in a home and community to make you most comfortable will help us help you find just the right place. By providing information about such things as your life goals and the types of things that you like to do, we’ll be able to find you the best place to make you the happiest. You can do this easily by filling out the Property Wish List and providing that information to us prior to your home search. We can then customize your search for only homes that closely fulfill those criteria.
This Retirement Roadmap is Coprighted 2007 by Nicki Conway