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Real estate tips for seniors in Sun City West

Dos and don’ts of selling and buying

Posted 12/9/21

People are moving into Sun City West monthly and it can be a difficult circumstance to navigate.

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SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE

Real estate tips for seniors in Sun City West

Dos and don’ts of selling and buying

Posted

People are moving into Sun City West monthly and it can be a difficult circumstance to navigate.

Wayne Graham, Real Estate for Homie Arizona, encourages individuals to look into several items before selling or buying. In an interview regarding the housign market in Arizona, a good starting point is to ensure financing is in order and make the best choice, beginning with a personal lender handling current finances is best. While every community has different tax rates and rules, it is important to factor those for Sun City West into budgeting, according to Graham. He said Sun City West has been rated a top senior community in the Valley because of the tax rate.

Keeping the age of the community in mind is important as floor plans can be outdated, conditions may be poor and there may need to be more maintenance than normal, according to Graham. He said living in an active adult community there are several amenities, but becoming familiar with which ones are of interest or deciding none will apply, then it may not be worth paying the fee associated with the community. When it comes to looking at location, choosing a rural home may likely also add private water and trash costs.

“Proximity to health care services is one of the most important factors for seniors to keep top of mind. If you have a medical condition that requires seeing a doctor regularly, it’s best to decide on a location that is near your health care provider,” Graham said.

If individuals are looking for an agent, make sure the agent is active and full time, according to Graham. He said market conditions play a huge role when it comes to strategy. Ask the agent how many deals the individual has closed. An experienced agent, according to Graham, will have a minimum of 15 closed deals per year and will be knowledgeable about the current market conditions and best options. If the agent does not want to share the information it is likely the agent is not engaged in the current market, he added.

Graham said if buying, figure out what is desired in a home, the location, price point and other items, then find the right agent that is trustworthy to help through the process.

“For selling, look up comparable sales, otherwise known as ‘comps,’ in your area. It’s important to know how long homes are taking to sell in your area and the price point,” Graham said.

Start with a preferred lender for a vacation property, He said interest rates are higher for second or vacation homes so take this into account before making the financial commitment.

Graham said the bottom line is for seniors to find a dedicated real estate agent to help through the market conditions and find the best solution to fit the buyer’s or seller’s needs.

Reach reporter Jennifer Jimenez at jjimenez@iniusa.org.