Real Estate for Boomers and Beyond : Exploring the Costs, Choices and Changes for Your Next Move Book

Boomers and their parents are faced with many housing decisions whether to move into a more energy efficient home or remain in the family dwelling. In Real Estate for Boomers and Beyond, journalist, boomer, and real estate pro Tom Kelly answers hundreds of questions as baby boomers and the Greatest Generation plan their lifestyle and housing needs. According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 80 percent of boomers own their home. And as they have begun to look at their homes as investments not just as physical shelter the time is ripe for concise guidance on managing the most expensive investment they've likely ever made. In this complete guide to senior real estate, Kelly highlights the social trends driving the market and shows readers precisely how to apply this information to their own retirement plans. Chapters examine all housing options: moving closer to the kids, choosing to follow the sun, adapting the family home for senior living, considering an assisted-living community, staying in place, and others. Real-life stories of seniors exploring new living arrangements and online sources for elder law attorneys, reverse mortgage lenders, certified aging-in-place builders, and senior real estate networks make this a must-have for every reference library. With this book as a guide, members of the "don't-want to-borrow" Greatest Generation and the "loan-crazy" baby boomers learn how to protect and capitalize on their most precious asset. Highlights Real Estate for Boomers and Beyond gives readers the tools and insight to: • Make informed decisions about comfort, peace of mind, and dollars. • Assess a wide variety of housing options from adapting thefamily home for senior safety to scrutinizing an assisted-living facility. • Determine whether purchasing a second home is a financially sound move. • Handle care giving, charitable trusts, and taxes.