Page 8 April 20, 2017 Seniors Small Nest Egg, Big Dreams? Tips For Buying Your Retirement Home (BPT) - Planning for retirement means making a lot of decisions, including when you’ll stop working, how much you’ll withdraw from your savings each year, and where you’ll live. Many Americans view retirement as an opportunity to move into a house they’ll love and live in for all their golden years. In fact, 64 percent of retirees either have moved or plan to move, according to a Merrill Lynch survey. Some retirees move to be closer to children or grandchildren, to down-size into a more manageable home, live in a warmer locale, or to secure a more luxurious home where they can easily age in place. “The decision of where to live in retirement is important and can directly affect quality of life in your golden years,” says Geoff Lewis, President of RE/MAX, LLC. “Research by Trulia shows that in virtually all areas of the country, it makes better financial sense for retirees to buy a home, rather than rent. In fact, buying is nearly 42 percent cheaper than renting for seniors across the country.” The Council introduced regulations to limit the effects of Proposition 64, which passed in the November general election, allowing adult use of marijuana. Councilman Dan Reid noted the intent of Ordinance No. 1138-17 is to “explicitly” curtail the commercial use or sale of the substance, as well as outdoor consumption. The ordinance seeks to monitor lighting and power usage and would effectively ban all but indoor use of marijuana in Lawndale. The consent calendar was passed unanimously. The 12 items included amendments to the zoning codes for outdoor storage, approval of ongoing repairs at the sheriff’s station, filing of various contracts and the quarterly investment report, and payment of various claims and demands in the amount of $831,238. The Council also adopted an ordinance changing municipal elections from April to November of even-numbered years, beginning in 2018. Captain April Tardy gave the public safety report, citing arrests in March involving weapons. Three suspects were apprehended after fleeing a hit and run incident. They were found in possession of a handgun. A man was taken to UCLA for a psychological evaluation after he was found despondent and holding a knife. He was booked for attempted suicide. Tardy said that on April 10, Sergeant Nitz responded to a call of a business dispute. Nitz reported a male seated in a vehicle who appeared incoherent and enraged. After driving the car toward Nitz, striking a wall and two radio cars, the suspect was apprehended and booked for assault with a deadly weapon. Tardy said officers used gas and pepper ball guns to disarm the suspect. She thanked Sergeant Nitz for his actions in de-escalating the incident. Lawndale will close several streets to car traffic on the morning of April 29 for the Community Bike Ride. Participants may bike, walk, jog and roller blade on the open streets from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The bike ride will be followed by the annual Youth Day Parade, starting at 10 a.m. Comprehensive street closure information may be found at www.lawndalecity.org The Lawndale City Council will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lawndale City Hall Council Chambers at 14717 Burin Avenue. • Bonsai Development Stalls from front page care resources? Do you desire a home in the mountains or somewhere you’ll never see snow again? Don’t Delay If possible, don’t wait until poor health or declining finances force you to move somewhere that’s not your ideal location. Move while you’re still young enough to enjoy your dream retirement home. Get professional financial advice It’s important to protect your nest egg and keep it growing throughout retirement. A professional financial planner can help you understand what size mortgage is right for you, so your dream home doesn’t strain your finances. Be Mindful of Amenities When choosing a location and a home, in addition to your personal priorities, it’s important to keep in mind accessibility to amenities important to seniors. Community features such as good transportation, quality of roads, safe neighborhoods, and access to health care, socialization opportunities, shopping and cultural venues are all options to consider. Have a Plan Ideally, you should think about where you want to live long before retirement, but it’s never too late to think about your priorities. Do you want to be close to family or health Rely on Real Estate Pros Once you know where you want to be, it’s time to find a real estate agent. Well-versed on local real estate trends, RE/MAX agents can help retirees sell their current home so they can make the purchase of their dream retirement home a reality. Visit www.remax. com to search for an agent. Focus on Must-haves Make a list of must-have features and those you would like your retirement home to have. Share the list with your agent to help him or her focus on properties that meet your criteria. Your list of must-haves and desirables will likely be very different from the list you made when you bought your first home. Now, a single-level house with large bathrooms and a level lot may be more desirable than a two-story with lots of bedrooms and a big backyard. Finally, says Lewis, keep in mind whether you plan to age in place. “More Americans are looking for homes that will allow them to stay independent and living on their own throughout their retirement years,” he says. “If that’s your plan, look for home features that will help facilitate that, like wider doors, few or no exterior stairs, and good lighting.” •
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