Where Should My Aging Parents Live in Retirement? Budget and Lifestyle Matter
Where to live in retirement | Should my parents buy a house | RMF
When retirement approaches, many people anticipate big changes. For some, that means finally having the time to travel and/or see family, volunteering or taking up a new hobby or interest. But it may also spark the desire to relocate after retirement offering a fresh start in a new home that better fits their changing needs.
According to a survey conducted by Merrill Lynch and Age Wave, older Americans are less worried about their home-related finances and more excited by the new opportunities retirement brings. While 2/3 of retirees say they’re living in the best home of their lives, the rest are wondering if they should stay put, downsize or consider alternatives like assisted living.
If that sounds like your parents or other older family members, ask them to consider the impact a new location could have on their lifestyle, finances, family and well-being. Is it time to move, or have they been living in their dream home all along?
- Priorities. What’s the most important factor in your parents’ decision to move (or not)? Is it price, weather, proximity to friends and family, or access to familiar healthcare providers? Narrowing down what’s most important should be their first step.
- Cost of living. Your loved ones should think about how they want to spend their time and how much those activities cost. If they’re already living in an expensive area, can they still do the things they love on a retirement income? If not, a reverse mortgage may offer additional funds, and could also help find the purchase of a new home.
- Home-related expenses. Homeowners aged 65 and over spend an average of $6,235 on their homes every year — not including mortgage payments. Expenses that seem small can quickly add up. If they’re entering retirement while still carrying mortgage debt, consider how total household costs will factor into their retirement budget.
- Home size. Smaller square footage often means less money spent to heat and cool off, and less space to maintain. On the flip side, your parents may want extra bedrooms for family to visit or to finally build that home library or game room.
- Home modifications. Does the perfect home exist anywhere? Does their current home need renovations to better suit them? The longer your loved ones can live safely in their home, the less they’ll need to worry about paying for any type of assisted living care.
- Long-term care. It’s impossible to predict if your parents will need long-term care in the future. But the cost can be a key risk to their retirement savings. Would buying a house in retirement affect their ability to pay for such an expense?
Making moves toward financial stability
Wherever your parents choose to live in retirement will have a huge impact on their financial plan. The good news is a reverse mortgage loan may help alleviate some of those financial concerns.
Designed for homeowners age 62 and older, a reverse mortgage allows borrowers to access the equity built up in their home, all while continuing to live in it and retain ownership. In contrast to a traditional mortgage, they can choose to make monthly payments or none at all, as long as they fulfill the loan obligations — which include maintaining the property and keeping current with property-related taxes and insurance payments.
If your parents are looking for a new home, a reverse mortgage for purchase may be the answer. It allows homeowners 62+ to buy a new home by combining a one-time investment of their own funds (down payment) with loan proceeds from a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) to complete the transaction. They own the home as long as they live in it. The loan doesn’t have to be repaid until it’s sold or is no longer their primary residence.*
Either way, Reverse Mortgage Funding (RMF) is here to help them — and you. Call (888) 277-1567 to learn more from a local loan specialist in your area.
This content is sponsored by RMF, one of the nation’s leading reverse mortgage lenders. We are dedicated to helping older Americans retire more freely, in the comfort of their own homes. As a result of our commitment to providing an extraordinary and positive customer experience, we have earned a 98% customer satisfaction rating; a 4.8-star / Excellent score on Trustpilot; 4.8 out of 5 stars on LendingTree; and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Call 888-277-1567 to speak with a licensed reverse mortgage specialist to learn about our retirement financing products and solutions.
* As with any mortgage, you must meet your loan obligations, keeping current with property taxes, insurance, and maintenance.
SEE WHAT FUNDS YOU MAY HAVE AVAILABLE
If you have equity in your home and believe you meet the eligibility requirements, a HECM may be the option that could help you retire smart.
Check Eligibility
L3899-Exp082022