8 Tips for Finding the Right Real Estate Agent

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There are plenty of real estate agents out there, which can make choosing just one seem like a daunting task. Considering how important buying or selling a huge investment like real estate is, it’s essential that you choose an agent who will adequately serve your needs.

It might take a little time and effort on your part to sift through the agents in your area, but doing so will boost the odds that you’ll find the right one to represent you in a real estate deal.

Here are some tips for finding and choosing the right real estate agent.

1. Choose One With the Appropriate Credentials

All agents need to be licensed in the state they work in. In order to obtain their license, they need to have gone through a number of courses and passed a test. In California, agents are required to complete 135 hours of education and pass the salespersons exam before being licensed and able to work as an agent in the state.

They may have other credentials and designations that specialize them in specific areas of real estate. For example, many agents go on to take additional courses on top of the mandatory ones required to be a licensed agent.

Make sure the agent can provide proof of their credentials and a commitment to their fiduciary duties.

2. Find Out About Any Disciplinary Actions

Disciplinary actions happen in the world of real estate. That said, the severity of such actions vary from minor issues to more severe offenses. While the odds are pretty low that the agent you’re thinking of working with has had past disciplinary action taken against them, it’s still worth checking out anyway.

Check with the regulatory entity in your area to find out whether or not the agent you’re considering has had any complaints or actions taken against them. If so, find out what they are and decide whether or not you’re comfortable working with an agent with a potentially blemished past.

3. Find Out if They Work Full-Time in Real Estate

There are plenty of agents out there who work on a part-time basis. While many of these agents are good at what they do, they may have other work obligations that can take them away from providing their clients with comprehensive services.

Ideally, the agent that you work with will be dedicated to real estate full time and will be able to give you their full attention.

4. Find Out About Their Experience

Credentials and training are certainly essential qualities for a real estate agent to possess, but experience is also an important factor to consider. Being successful in buying and selling real estate requires a certain amount of experience to master.

It’s one thing to study real estate, but it’s quite another to have hands-on, real-life experience. An agent who has lots of experience working will be more engaged in their craft and will have a better handle on the ins and outs of the industry.

5. Scope the Agent’s Online Listings

If you’re on the selling end of a real estate transaction, you’ll want to make sure that the agent you choose is skilled at marketing. You can gain a sense of how the agent markets their properties by checking out their listings online.

Check out the descriptions and photos and gauge how attractive and enticing they make their listings appear. Further, determine how the agent’s listings match the property you want to sell.

Looking at the agent’s listings will also be able to tell you how busy they are. You want them to be busy enough so that they’re in high demand and successful, but perhaps not so busy that you’ll get lost in the crowd of other clients.

6. Make Sure They’re Familiar With the Area

Whether you’re buying or selling, you want an agent who is very familiar and experienced with the housing market in your particular area.

Each community has its own unique features that affect its respective real estate market, so understanding what these traits are will make the agent an expert in that particular area. Such a deep understanding of the local market can give you a leg up on the competition and ensure a more successful experience buying or selling.

7. Find Out Their Availability

Selling and buying certainly take plenty of time, as there is a lot of behind-the-scenes work that goes into the process. As such, you want to make sure that your agent has enough time to dedicate to you. 

Find out what their availability is and whether or not they work with a team. If they work with other professionals, you’ll still be given the attention and service you’ve been promised by always having someone available to field your calls, answer your questions, or take you to showings. Look for an agent who works with a team or at least has an administrative assistant so you can be sure that your needs will be met. 

8. Interview the Agent

Think of an agent as someone that you’re hiring. Like any employer, you’ll want to conduct an interview before making your decision on who to bring on board, and working with a real estate agent is no different. Agents expect to be interviewed, so there’s nothing wrong with asking them a number of questions to gauge whether or not the agent makes a good fit.

The Bottom Line

Buying and selling real estate shouldn’t be rushed, nor should choosing a real estate agent to help you go through the process. Take the time to ask all the right questions and do a little homework to make sure the agent you ultimately narrow down is the right one to serve your specific needs.

Restaurant Review – Lena Brava

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This week took me to a swankier spot than usual! I found myself at Lena Brava, one of Rick Bayless’s restaurants. Rick Bayless is an American chef who specializes in traditional Mexican cuisine with a modern flair. We booked our reservation months ago, but had a coveted 7:30 pm slot on Saturday evening. The restaurant was bustling when we walked in. A gorgeous wood bar lines the far left wall, surrounded by small groups of tables. We were seated at a table right next to the open kitchen- one of my favorite places to sit in a restaurant. The menu is divided into three sections: Ice, Fire, and Bonfire. Things in the Ice section are served cold, from the Fire section are served hot, and from the Bonfire section are hot and designed to serve 2 people. My mouth was watering the minute I looked at the menu. Our waitress suggested that we each order an entree and then share appetizers and sides among the table. I decided on the Scallops, Sunchoke, Peanut: fire-seared Hudson Canyon sea scallops, served with peanut mole sauce (ancho & guajillo chiles, toasted peanuts, sunflower seeds), creamy sunchoke, bonito flakes, and peashoots. This was absolutely fantastic. The scallops were so simply seasoned and the flavor was marvelous. I loved the unique peanut mole sauce- I’ve never had anything like it before. The sunchoke was delicious as well! It had a light and bright flavor that really complimented the richness of the scallops and sauce. My friend ordered the Braised Short Rib: braised Creekstone short rib, served over cauliflower mash with a smoky-spicy Oaxacan pasilla salsa. Even after just one bite, I loved this. The meat was melt in your mouth tender and the smoky salsa was wonderful. We shared three vegetable sides between us. First came the Shishitos: grilled shishito chiles & knob onions, lime & güero chile kosho, topped with savory crunch (hazelnut, black sesame, pumpkin seed). I loved these! Some of the peppers were super spicy and the crunchy topping of the hazelnut and pumpkin seed was so texturally pleasing. We also ordered the Sweet Potatoes: wood oven-roasted tri-color sweet potatoes, topped with ancho chile-piloncillo glaze, Prairie Fruits Farm goat cheese, and a walnut crunch. I absolutely love sweet potatoes and these were no exception. The buttery potato combined with the creamy goat cheese was delicious! Finally, we had the Butter-Roasted Plantains: ripe plantains wood oven-roasted with butter, thick cream, homemade fresh cheese. These were my absolutely favorite! I can hardly describe how delicious they were. The plantains were rich and sweet and the homemade fresh cheese was fantastic. I would order these again in a heartbeat!

Lena Brava is open Tuesdays through Thursdays from 5-10 pm, Fridays-Saturdays from 5 to 11 pm, and Sundays from 5-9 pm. They take reservations for up to 8 people. Find more information here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Downsizing

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At the end of this month, I will be turning 60. My husband and I have decided to move closer to our grandchildren. It’s not a long distance move by any means (only 40 minutes away) but we are moving into a decidedly smaller house. We’re going from a two story, four-bedroom bungalow to a small one-story ranch. We have been in our present home for 33 years. The amount of crap I have accumulated is astounding! Here are a few tips I’ve found helpful when downsizing.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time. You can’t decide “I’m moving next month!” and not lose your mind. We gave ourselves the better part of a year to declutter and get the house ready to put on the market. We both work long hours and attend many grandchildren activities, so spare time is at a premium.

Here’s your golden rule: “Have I used this item in the last year?” If not, it’s gone. I found clothing in a closet that I don’t remember buying or ever wearing. I’m one of those people that thinks “Well, I’ll keep it because you ‘never know’!” Don’t! Be ruthless. Another tip: only have a yes or no pile; there is no maybe. Purge duplicate items; the kitchen is notorious for these. How many spatulas do you use at a time? Pots and pans? Glassware? Dishes? Measuring cups?  I don’t know about you, but I mostly use paper plates and red cups.

It’s best to tackle a room at a time. Or even a closet in the room! It took me two days to go through two closets. Give yourself a time limit. I usually start with two hours. This will get you started! If you’re only looking at working for two hours, you are more likely to tackle the job. Before you know it, you are working for four hours and the closet is done. Plan ahead; but don’t beat yourself up if you get a little behind.

Digitize as much as you can. Everything from kid’s artwork to documents can be stored on the Cloud. Docs can be made into a PDF and stored on Google Drive or Dropbox. DVDs and CDs can be digitized using software from movavi.com or freemake.com. An easy, free app like Keepy stores all your kid’s artwork and gives you a share option too.

After you’ve pared down, invite family members and friends over to see if they want anything. I’ve gotten rid of a lot of kitchen stuff that way. Some family members or friends that are just starting out could potentially use your old furniture, like a dresser or dining table. Remember, you can only take so many pieces of furniture with you in the move. Even if you are going from a 2000 ft 3-bed to a 1200 ft 3-bed, a lot of furniture will have to go. Know your space limits.

Donating is great but research all of the facilities. Many take some things but not others. Some will pick up, but won’t do stairs. Don’t leave this till the last minute either; pickup schedules may take several weeks. Most will not take any electronic items, so all TVs and computers will be hard to get rid of. They are also considered hazardous waste and must be taken to specific disposal centers. You might have to resort to a dumpster or a junkman. There are alternatives to a regular dumpster like the Waste Management Bagster. For a set fee, you purchase the bag, fill it up, and they pick it up. Again, there are restrictions. Junkmen are great as they will come, move everything, and haul it away. But it can get pricey, so get an estimate first.

So make a plan and get downsizing!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

8 Tips to Baby-Proofing Your Home

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Babies are innocent, but they still manage to get themselves into trouble when they become mobile. Once they start crawling and (gasp) walking, they can easily get into some mischief that can lead to injury. That’s why it’s so important to take measures to keep your child out of harm’s way.

Of course, you’ll definitely want to prevent them from touching a hot stove or falling down the stairs, but there are plenty of other not-so-obvious potential hazards that you’ll want to take care of to protect your precious little one.

1. Secure Bookshelves and Other Furniture

Babies have a tendency to climb things, and if they happen to latch onto a shelf, they can send it tumbling on top of them. To prevent this from happening, secure your bookshelves to the walls.

Any other piece of furniture that has the possibility of toppling over should also be affixed to prevent them from tipping over on top of your child.

2. Cover Electrical Outlets

Electrical outlet plugs have been around for decades to help parents baby-proof their homes. They’re handy at preventing babies from sticking their little fingers in the sockets and getting a major shock.

But be sure to choose outlet covers that make it easy for parents to still access the outlets. The traditional covers can be tough to remove whenever you need to plug something in, so consider getting yourself covers that come with sliders that still make it easier for you to gain access to the outlets while making it tough for your little one to do the same.

3. Cover Stove/Oven Knobs

Once babies are able to stand up and reach the knobs on the stove, you can be sure that they’ll want to grab onto them and see what they are. Unfortunately, they can inadvertently turn them on while satisfying their curiosity.

To prevent them from turning on the stove or oven, place transparent covers over them, which you can find at stores catering to babies and young children.

4. Keep Items Over the Crib Lightweight

Whether you have a mobile, light fixture, or artwork hanging over your baby’s crib, make sure it’s not too heavy. If your baby grabs a hold of it or it falls on its own, it can really cause harm if the item in question falls on top of your little one. As such, make sure that whatever you’ve got over the top of the crib is safe enough to be hung in that spot.

5. Remove Glass From Wall Art

It doesn’t take much for babies and toddlers to lift up artwork hanging on walls (if they’re tall enough to reach or the art is hanging low). And once that artwork comes off the hook, it can easily come crashing down on your baby.

That glass can quickly shatter when it hits the floor, leaving your baby in a sea of sharp-edged glass pieces. To keep your baby safe, remove the glass in front of any artwork that’s within reach.

6. Cushion Sharp Corners and Edges

As babies learn to walk, they inevitably bump into things, and many times their heads are what come into contact with things that are in their way. While this might be OK with many furniture pieces, it’s the sharp corner and edges that you have to watch out for. Smacking their head onto a sharp edge or poking their eyes with a sharp corner can do some damage.

To avoid these mishaps, consider covering these sharp edges and corners with specially-made cushions that you stick onto the areas that need attention.

7. Turn Down the Water Temperature

The temperature of your water can be adjusted, so you’ll want to take advantage of this flexibility. The water that comes out of your hot water spout can be piping hot, which can scald your baby’s delicate skin immediately. As such, be sure to reduce the temperature of your hot water.

Speaking of tubs, be sure to place a non-slip mat along the bottom to prevent any slips and falls. And while you’re at it, consider covering the bathtub spout with something soft in case your baby bumps his or her head on it.

8. Prevent Strangulation By Cutting Looped Cords on Blinds

If your home’s windows are outfitted with blinds, odds are there are dangling cords that are just begging to be tugged at by your little one. The problem with these cords is that they present a real danger to little children in the form of accidental strangulation.

If your baby gets caught in the cord, this can spell disaster. To prevent any mishaps from occurring, cut the loops of the blinds’ cords, and keep them out of reach completely.

The Bottom Line

The aesthetics of your home are certainly important, but with a baby in the home, safety always takes top priority. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to baby-proof your home without compromising style. Just a few simple tactics can make your home a lot safer for your little one.

THIS WEEKEND IN CHICAGO – IS IT VACATION TIME YET?

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After completing a full week of work, I bet most Chicagoans are ready for a vacation!  As usual, the city has us covered this weekend!

Here’s two great shows to get us started!!

The 15th annual Travel and Adventure Show takes over the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center (5555 N. River Rd.) in Rosemont this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) and Sunday (11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.). Here you’ll be face-to-face with thousands of travel experts from around the world!  You’ll explore endless vacation options, discover over 250+ destinations from around the globe, plan your trip, meet travel celebrities, attend dozens of educational seminars, and so much more.  There’s even fun for the whole family with camel rides, scuba lessons in the dive pool, and many other activities!  Plus guests can renew their passport, sign up for the Global Entry Program, snag some sweet deals with exclusive show-only specials, and trip giveaways!!

The Progressive Insurance Chicago Boat RV & Sail Show drops anchor at McCormick Place (2301 S. Lake Shore Dr.) in the South Loop this Saturday (10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.) and Sunday (10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.).  It’s the ultimate one-stop market place for outdoor adventure and fun.  This year’s show is packed with over 600 boats, 100 RV’s, sailing and boating educational seminars, plus the latest in technology and outdoor & marine accessories!  Visitors can also participate in various activities and games such as free paddle sports demos, remote control sailboat racing, the Huck Finn trout pond for kids 12 and younger, the Corona find your beach bar & cantina, oyster shucking demos, and more!!  There’s something for everyone at this year’s show!

Watson Adventures returns this Saturday (1:00 p.m.) to the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave.) in The Loop for its The Murder at the Art Museum Scavenger Hunt.  Oh boy, the curator knew too much and was murdered!  Of course, he left behind a cryptic trail of clues connected with secrets in the works of art so you could piece together the sordid details that got him killed!  BTW, you’ll have to crack a secret code to figure out whodunnit!!

The largest sketch comedy festival in the country presents a packed lineup of more than 100 hilarious performers at the 18th annual Chicago SketchFest held at Stage 773 (1225 W. Belmont Ave.) in the Lakeview neighborhood.  Performances take place every hour, on the hour, featuring a comedic melting pot of local favorites, award-winning international ensembles, veterans, and fresh talent performing nearly 200 shows over 8 days!  After all, January can be a rough month in Chicago, so why not have something to laugh about?!

Beware of the No Pants Subway Ride on the Red Line this Sunday (12:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.)!  This pantless tradition started in New York City in 2002 and has spread across the country to other cities.  This event is meant to have a little fun with a celebration of silliness and nothing more.  All private bits should be kept private!  Please refer to the official Facebook page for more details and find out exactly where to meet if you wish to participate.  Don’t forget to bring a pair of pants!  After all, you can’t spend the entire day walking around without them!!  Or, can you?

Are You Ready for a Vacation?

INFOGRAPHIC: Expected Trends For Buyers and Sellers in 2019

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CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Gold Coast, Edgewater, Oak Park

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Bucktown and Wicker Park: Craft hand-lettered valentines for your loved ones this Valentine’s season! Hand-lettering guru Cristina Vanko presents a workshop as par of 826CHI’s Fresh Ink Community Series! Held on Saturday February 2 from 2-3:30 pm, this workshop for adults and teens of all experience levels will explore different hand lettering techniques. Step-by-step, you’ll hand-letter Valentine’s Day-themed phrases. You’ll leave with some great tips, tricks, and a few Valentine’s Day cards of your own! Reserve your tickets ASAP. Tickets are free for Chicago students and a $10 suggested donation for adults. The ticket cost covers all materials and all proceeds benefit 826CHI’S free writing program, which serves Chicago students. Purchase your tickets here.

Lakeview: Want to show off your skills? Or maybe just check out some awesome, local artists? Then this Open Mic Night is for you! Sponsored by Shure and Greenstar Brewing, this event is 100% free! Open Mic Nights are held every Monday at Uncommon Ground Lakeview, beginning at 7 pm. This is Chicago’s longest running open-mic competition and all artists are welcome! Sign-up begins promptly at 7 pm; please arrive on time to secure your spot. For more information, check out their event page.

Lincoln Park: Get ready for Authors on the Lake, sponsored by Theatre on the Lake. Enjoy an evening of conversation and drinks on Wednesday, January 16 from 7-9:30 pm. Chef Paul Kahan, author of Cheers to the Publican, will chat with The Lakefront Restaurant’s Executive Chef Cleetus Friedman as they each share stories, take questions, and chat about the book. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 at the door. The ticket price includes admission, a welcome drink, a featured bite and beverage pairing, and a meet and greet with the featured chef. Find more information and purchase your tickets here.

Gold Coast: Registration is now open for the Polar Plunge! The Chicago Polar Bear Club hosts the Plunge on Saturday January 26 at 12 pm! Not only do you get to plunge into the freezing cold waters of Lake Michigan, but your registration fee directly supports local Midwestern families in need of support. You can read about this year’s families here. Registration for the Plunge is $30, the after-party is $35. Or you can purchase the Polar Plunge Bundle for $60. The 2019 After Party Admission includes an all-you-can-drink special and appetizers. For more information, visit the website.

Edgewater: Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 26! The Lakeside Pride Chamber Ensembles present an afternoon of music in honor of Marsha P. “Pay It No Mind” Johnson. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots; Marsha was the trans woman who threw the first brick at the riots in 1969. The concert is in her honor and celebrates her contributions to the community. Lakeside Pride will also be joined by ResonaTe, Chicago’s transgender choir. The performance will feature music written or arranged by people of color, transgender, and genderqueer individuals. The concert begins at 3 pm and tickets are $10. They can be purchased here.

Oak Park: Come enjoy a unique storytelling experience on Sunday, January 20 at Hamburger Mary’s Show Lounge! The Back Room is a gathering place for storytelling, showcasing stories from the hearts and minds of five unique storytellers. Held on the 3rd Sunday of every month, this event is from 7:30-9 pm. Come early and indulge in dinner and drinks before the show! The show is hosted by Margaret Burk and Peter LeGrand. Tickets are $10 at the door. For more information, visit Hamburger Mary’s website.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Restaurant Review – Millie’s Supper Club

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“Family, friendly, fun, big portions, comfort foods, doggie bags, great cocktails, comfortable, woodsy atmosphere… all adjectives that can be used to describe real supper clubs. They are happy places where people go to gather with family or friends and that is our plan for Millie’s Supper Club.” This was my introduction to this week’s restaurant, Millie’s Supper Club. After reading that description, how could I be anything but excited?? The atmosphere of Millie’s is lovely. The restaurant is dimly lit, with dark wood booths, candles, and vintage bar stools. It feels old-fashioned and cozy, like stepping into your favorite restaurant. The menu is simple, with lots of down home favorites and comfort food. I knew we had to start with an order of the Fried Cheese Curds: beer-battered Ellsworth Creamery white cheddar curds served with house made ranch dressing. These were absolutely fantastic! The batter was perfectly crispy and light; the cheese melty and gooey. I loved the combination of the rich cheese with the creamy ranch dressing; so tasty! I finally decided on the Cobb Salad: mixed lettuce, bacon, blue cheese, cherry tomato, chicken, chives, and egg. This was great! The portion was huge and all the veggies were fresh and crispy. You can’t go wrong with blue cheese and bacon either! I asked for my dressing on the side, so I could dip each bite into it- yum! My mom decided on the Genuine Broasted Chicken- a house specialty. Millie’s starts with fresh chicken, marinates it overnight, then delicately coats and fries it under pressure to enhance its natural flavor. The chicken is served with broasted potato wedges and coleslaw. This massive plate has a half chicken- breast, wing, thigh, and leg. We definitely could have shared this! The chicken was very juicy and the skin was perfectly crisp. The coleslaw was also very tasty!

Millie’s is closed on Mondays. Tuesdays through Sundays they open at 5 pm for dinner. Find more information about this charming supper club here.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

Kathy’s Home & Garden Tips – Get Out the Blue Dawn

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Original Blue Dawn dishwashing liquid is a great biodegradable grease cutter and works for so many cleaning jobs around the house. Remember all these tips are using original Blue Dawn. It’s the one with the cute duck on the label— it’s used for cleaning wildlife after oil spills as it’s gentle and effective.

Washing with Dawn is effective. Mix with a little corn oil to remove paint from your hands. Wash your hair once a month with Dawn to remove oil and shampoo residue. Have a run in with poison ivy or oak? Wash with Dawn. It dries up the blisters and prevents them from spreading. Wash the dog with Dawn. It kills fleas on contact!

Merry Maids use Dawn all around the house. Make a great window cleaner by adding one drop of Dawn to a spray bottle of water, then use like any other window cleaner. Also use on ceramic and woodwork. Heat half a spray bottle of white vinegar, then fill to the top with Dawn. Spray on bath and shower surfaces, let work for 15 minutes, then rinse. Footprints on your shower floor? Cover with full strength Dawn and let sit overnight. Scrub next morning with a stiff brush. To unclog toilets, pour in one cup of Dawn. Let sit for 15 minutes and follow with a bucket of hot water poured from waist high.

Outside, Dawn works on any greasy or dirty job because it’s biodegradable. After using kitty litter on driveway stains, follow with a good Dawn scrub. It cleans kiddie pools safely and effectively. It works on big pools too! Pour Dawn down the center. All the dirt, gunk, and suntan oil will fly to the edges for easy clean up.

Dawn can repel pests on plants. One drop in a spray bottle will suffocate pests, killing them more safely than chemicals. Soak tools in Dawn after using. This cleans dirt and grime and prevents rust. You can also use Dawn to make an ice pack. Pour full strength Dawn into a freezer Ziploc. This makes a reusable ice pack that will stay soft when frozen!

Anyone have any other great uses for Dawn?

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO

7 Advantages of Living in a 55+ Community

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When you reach a certain age, your needs and tastes may be different than what they may have been in your younger years, and that includes your housing arrangement.

Maybe your current home is getting to be too much for you to maintain, or perhaps climbing up and down the stairs is becoming tiresome and even difficult. Or maybe you’re ready to be surrounded by peers within the same age group and are looking for something to keep you engaged and active when you retire.

If that’s the case, then a 55+ community might be the right move to make at this stage in your life.

What is a 55+ Community?

As the name suggests, a 55+ community is geared towards those who are 55 years of age and older. They’re not designed for young families with children or even middle-aged professionals. Instead, they’re designed with people who are nearing or in their retirement years.

This particular age demographic has many different needs and tastes that those who are much younger, and as such, they’re designed to accommodate these specific requirements.

Here are some of the benefits of 55+ communities.

1. Properties Are Designed Specifically For Seniors

The home that you may have bought when you were younger may have suited you well back then, but perhaps it doesn’t work as well for you today. Rather than making structural changes to your current home to suit your needs or your changing mobility issues, moving into a place that’s already structured to make mobility much easier might be a better idea. 

2. Residents Are in the Same Age Demographic

One of the biggest advantages of living in a 55+ active community is that you’ll be surrounded by others in the same age group. If there are no friends or family nearby, seniors can end up becoming increasingly lonely in a neighborhood filled with younger residents or children.

A 55+ community solves this issue by attracting those who are in the same age demographic and who are looking for the same types of amenities and activities.

3. Quiet Environment

As the name suggests, no one under the age of 55 is permitted to live on the premises. While family can visit, no children will be running around on a regular basis, which makes these communities quieter places to live. If you’re looking for a tranquil home and community, these active senior living communities are a great option.

4. Security

Active 55+ communities typically come with on-site security that residents can take advantage of. If you’re on your own, living in a community that offers 24/7 security features can not only make you feel more secure but can help your family ease their worries about you living on your own. If security is an important feature for you, then a 55+ community may be an ideal choice for you.

5. Plenty of Amenities and Events

Active living communities typically implement a number of amenities and events that are designed to keep residents active, engaged, and entertained. These communities usually offer onsite opportunities to socialize, stay physically fit, and even volunteer.

You can expect to have amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, yoga classes, social events and gatherings, and even organized outings. Such amenities and events can help fill your days with enjoyment and can help you stay active and engaged in your community.

6. Less Maintenance to Worry About

No one really enjoys the regular ongoing maintenance that usually accompanies homeownership. But in a 55+ community, the majority of maintenance is taken care of. That means less work and time spent maintaining your property and more time enjoying the company and amenities that your new community has to offer.

7. Medical Facilities in Close Proximity

As you age, having quick and easy access to medical assistance becomes an increasingly important concern. The great thing about 55+ communities is that they’re typically constructed within close proximity to healthcare centers. While there might not be any physicians or nurses on site, you can rest easy knowing that medical help is usually just a quick commute away.

Should You Buy Into a 55+ Community?

There are definitely plenty of perks of buying into a 55+ community, but it may not necessarily be right for everyone. It’s important to note that while these communities are designed for those who are in their later stages of life, they don’t provide onsite medical care or support that assisted living facilities do. Instead, these are active lifestyle communities.

Those who are 55 years of age or over and are relatively healthy would benefit best from communities like these. If onsite healthcare services are not required on a daily basis, this type of investment might be better suited for them as opposed to someone who may require more hands-on medical care and attention.

The Bottom Line

If you’re approaching your senior years and have a penchant for staying active and being surrounded by like-minded peers, then perhaps a move to a 55+ community may be the right one for to you make at some point. Just be sure to ask plenty of questions and find out everything there is to know about a particular community, including amenities and rules. With a trusted real estate agent by your side, you’ll have all the support and guidance you need to choose the community that’s best suited for you.