Should You Buy a Retirement Bungalow Sooner Rather than Later?

Every day in the U.S., roughly 10,000 people turn 65. Prior to the health crisis that swept the nation in 2020, most people had to wait until they retired to make a move to the beach, the golf course, or the senior living community they were looking to settle into for their later years in life. This year, however, the game changed.

Many of today’s workers who are nearing the end of their professional careers, but maybe aren’t quite ready to retire, have a new choice to make: should I move before I retire? If the sand and sun are calling your name and you have the opportunity to work remotely for the foreseeable future, now may be a great time to purchase that beach bungalow you’ve always dreamed of or the single-story home in the sprawling countryside that might be a little further out of town. Whether it’s a second home or a future retirement home, spending the next few years in a place that truly makes you smile every day might be the best way to round out a long and meaningful career.

Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), explains:

“The pandemic was unexpected, working from home was unexpected, but nonetheless many companies realized that workers can be just as productive working from home…We may begin to see a boost in people buying retirement homes before their retirement.”

According to the 20th Annual Transamerica Retirement Survey, 3 out of 4 retirees (75%) own their homes, and only 23% have mortgage debt (including any equity loans or lines of credit). Since entering retirement, almost 4 in 10 retirees (38%) have moved into a new home. They’re making a profit by selling their current homes in today’s low inventory market and using their equity to purchase their future retirement homes. It’s a win-win.

Why These Homeowners Are Making Moves Now

The health crisis this year made us all more aware of the importance of our family and friends, and many of us have not seen our extended families since the pandemic started. It’s no surprise, therefore, to see in the same report that 32% of those surveyed cited the top reason they’re making a move is that they want to be closer to family and friends (See graph below):Should You Buy a Retirement Home Sooner Rather than Later? | Simplifying The MarketThe survey also revealed that 73% percent of retirees currently live in single-family homes. With the overall number of homes for sale today hitting a historic low, and with the buyer demand for single-family homes skyrocketing, there’s never been a more ideal time to sell a single-family home and make a move toward retirement. Today’s market has the perfect combination of driving forces to make selling optimal, especially while buyers are looking to take advantage of low interest rates.

If you’re one of the 73% of retirees with a single-family home and want to move closer to your family, now is the time to put your house on the market. With the pace homes are selling today, you could essentially wrap up your move – start to finish – before the holidays.

  

Shameless plug for our specialists out there! Whether you’re looking to fully retire or to buy a second home with the intent to use it as your retirement home in the future, the 2020 fall housing market may very well work in your favor. Connect with one of our B&C experts today to discuss your bungalow and cottages options in your local market.

Share:

Facebook
Pinterest
Email
Print
Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes

Mark Hughes is the President and curator of Bungalows and Cottages LLC, Blog, and Networks. Mark's mission is to bring the design, history, and lifestyle of smaller comfortable iconic American bungalows and cottages to everyone. Mark is a real estate broker and former industry executive who once ranked in the top 1% of agents worldwide for sales and went on to lead two of the largest real estate companies in the Western US. Small house. Big Life.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top

Get The Newsletter

By subscribing you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

John Staab

John is the Managing Broker and accomplished real estate consultant for Motive Real Estate in Fort Worth Texas .

Contact John: (817) 637-5582
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

 

A Home For A Home. Let’s End Homelessness.

 

Together we are making meaningful change in the world. When you sell or buy with Motive, we donate a home to a family in need…a home for a home.

There are over 150 million homeless people across the globe, many of them mothers and children. A home, even the most basic shelter with a locking door, allows a child to go to school, a mother to have a job or develop a business and, most importantly, provides safety and security.  

We all deserve our dream home and together we can help put an end to homelessness.

Mark Hughes Bungalows and Cottages

Mark Hughes

Mark covers the Los Angeles Market for Bungalows Cottages. Mark also serves as the liaison to the B&C Expert Partner Agent Network.  He loves Bungalows and Cottages!

Contact Mark: Call Center
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Expert Agent Connect

Connect with your local B&C expert to find, understand, and secure your next dream home. We’re here!

Or Call our Call Center at 941-275-2630

*By proceeding, you consent to receive communication at the
number you provided, and email, from bungalowsandcottages.com and
real estate professionals and their network of service providers about
your inquiry and other home-related matters. Msg/data rates may
apply. This consent applies even if you are on a do not call list and is not
a condition of any purchase.

Dakota Feroleto

Dakota covers the Southern California Desert Region for Bungalows and Cottages which includes Palm Springs, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, and La Quinta.

Contact Dakota:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Ken Riel

Ken covers the Charlotte North Carolina Market for Bungalows and Cottages which includes Plaza Midwood, Elizabeth, Chantilly, Wesley Heights, Dilworth, NoDa, and Wilmore.

Contact Ken:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note:

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Karen Barks

Karen covers the Portland Oregon Market for Bungalows and Cottages from Beaverton and West Portland to the North and Northeast neighborhoods.

Contact Karen:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Chris Zoller

Chris covers the Tamp Florida Market for Bungalows and Cottages from Hyde Park, to Ybor, Seminole Heights, Historic Kenwood, and all around town.

Contact Chris:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note:

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Jen Berbas

Jen covers the Austin Texas Market for Bungalows and Cottages from Downtown, to Old West Austin, Chestnut, Travis Heights, Rosedale, and all around town.

Contact Jen:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Peggy Graef

Peggy covers the Orlando Florida Market for Bungalows and Cottages from Colonialtown, and College Park to Winterpark, and Thornton, and all around town.

Contact Peggy:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Kathy Engen

Kathy is our B&C local expert agent for Edina MN.

Call or text Kathy at 941-275-2630
or send a note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Will Flannigan

Will covers the East Los Angeles Market for Bungalows Cottages. 

Contact Will:
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Mike Dobbs

Mike covers the West Side Los Angeles Market for Bungalows and Cottages.

Contact Mike: Call Center
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Amanda Rose

GA Lic#243859

Amanda covers the Atlanta Market for Bungalows & Cottages. 

Contact Amanda: Call Center
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Thomson Meeks

Lic#321092

Thomson covers the Asheville Market for Bungalows Cottages.

Contact Thomson: Call Center
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Submit Your BnB

Fill in your BnB details and we’ll review it for addition to our growing map of Bungalow and Cottages BnB’s.

*By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.

Shannon Praetorius

Shannon covers the Seattle Market for Bungalows Cottages. Connect with Shannon here to find your best B&C Market guidance.

Contact Shannon: Call Center
941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Anne Jensen

Anne covers the Los Angeles Market for Bungalows and Cottages along the south city side and LA’s southern coastal areas.

Contact Anne:
Call Center 941-275-2630
or Send A Note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Judy Hughes

Judy Hughes is a Leisure World sales expert, resident and accomplished renovation consultant.

Call or text Judy at 562-972-0491
or send a note...

By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy

Judy Hughes is a seasoned residential real estate professional with over 25 years of experience in the industry. She has always had a love for homes and design, which led her to pursue a career in real estate. In her first year as a Realtor, Judy quickly established herself as a young market go-getter, garnering the attention of a large national bank that chose her as their preferred relocation agent. Her clientele continued to grow as did her love for the business. Through the years, Judy has been licensed and practiced in several states, but now resides and specializes in Leisure World of Seal Beach. She brings with her an extensive knowledge of the housing market and is passionate about providing excellent customer service.


Whether it is packing and moving information, health and safety recommendations, remodeling, or major renovations; she can help. Judy is eager to utilize her market knowledge and practical moving experiences to assist you with a smooth and profitable purchase or sale. She combines thorough market research and today’s fastest digital and mobile technologies to ensure her customers are first to know about market opportunities and movement. Judy executes a dependable buyer delivery system for her sellers leveraging Seven Gables’ global property syndication networks. She is known for her tenacious follow-through and her selling strategies. Put Judy’s passion for Leisure World real estate to work for you. When she’s not helping clients buy or sell their homes, you can find Judy spending time with her family and friends or enjoying one of her many active hobbies.

Agent Lead and Referral Network

Realtors® Fill in your details to join our growing exclusive B&C Lead and Referral Network and we’ll get back to right away.

*By sending you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy.