9 Rules for Buying into a South Florida Retirement Community

As a South Florida active adult community realtor, Wilma Pinstein knows that the demand for homes in retirement communities is on the rise. Behind this growing demand for retirement communities are the baby boomers, who account for a quarter of the U.S. population. Baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964, and they started reaching retirement age a few years ago. 

The housing market is up from last year and is currently a seller’s market. South Florida retirement community realtors complain of shortages, and some of the newer communities are having lotteries for newly constructed homes. When the builders have more reservations than inventory, they enter those who are interested into a lottery; no auction, no bidding war. 

If you are retiring soon and you are interested in a South Florida retirement community, you may be wondering how to navigate the frenzied market. There is not a one-size-fits-all solution, though. These days, retirement can mean very different things for individuals. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, one thing is for certain; having an active adult community specialist will help you navigate the process of finding a South Florida retirement community easily. 

Aside from a quality active adult community specialist, here are a few other rules for buying into a South Florida retirement community:  

1. Acclimate before you move. 

Weather is a key component when you are looking to move to South Florida to retire, especially if you are coming from northern states. Before you make the decision to buy, try renting in Florida first. This way, you can truly decide whether the climate and geographic location is right for you.  

2. Get to know the neighborhood. 

Take some time to scope out the active adult community and your prospective neighbors. Retirement will bring more free time than you are probably used to, and planned social activities are big in active adult communities. Your fellow residents are likely to become your new friends, so get to know the neighborhood and see if the people in the area are friendly and share the same interests.  

3. Research the local medical services. 

Many retirees are looking to lead an active lifestyle. You will want to see if the South Florida retirement community offers medical services. If there aren’t any onsite medical facilities, check to see how far you will need to travel in case of an emergency. 

4. Factor in local taxes. 

Some states are more accommodating to retirees than others. You should always take into consideration income, property, and estate taxes when choosing and active adult community. Luckily, the State of Florida has some of the lowest taxes in the country and is known as a retiree home, making the state very accommodating.  

5. Watch the market to get the best price. 

The best time to buy is always when the local high season is ending. In southern states, like Florida, this time is usually May or June, when the weather starts to heat up. Buyers gain ground negotiating, as sellers get nervous about the lull. By using a Florida certified adult active community specialty realtor like Wilma Pinstein, you are guaranteed to be purchasing during prime market time for buyers.  

6. Check out the approval process. 

Sometimes, South Florida retirement communities have stringent approval processes. Figure out what is required by consulting with your broker and current residents.  

7. Membership options. 

Study the requirements and options on club-membership structures. This investment may run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, yet its appreciation and resale value can be uncertain. Many South Florida retirement communities also charge annual dues and a food and beverage minimum. 

8. Check out the activity calendar. 

Spend some time figuring out if the community you are buying into provides activities that you are interested in. In most cases, they are the country club staples of golf, tennis, swimming, etc. 

9. Inquire about restrictions. 

Rental and resale restrictions are common in South Florida retirement communities. You may be surprised to find out what some communities do not allow. Some places ban pets, while others ban outdoor grilling and cigars. A long list of rules indicates a high level of board politics, which you may want to steer clear of or the living environment may not be as enjoyable.  

10. Look into caretakers. 

Some South Florida retirement communities offer more maintenance, repair, and security services than others. Predictably, well-staffed condos are easier to maintain than individual homes. 

Choose an Adult Active Community – Not Just Retirement!

Statistics confirm what most people already know, that the largest amount of state-to-state moves in America every year are from New York to South Florida. The running joke in South Florida is that Boca Raton is the sixth borough. Because so many people are finding their way to South Florida from up North, there are plenty of real estate agents here to help people find homes to rent or buy in Boca Raton or Delray Beach. The 55 plus communities are fast becoming hot commodities, but if you think you have to retire in order to move to an adult active community, you are wrong! 

Those who decide to move to an active adult community in Boca Raton don’t have to be retired or in the process of retirement.  Real estate agents in South Florida are finding people interested in purchasing property in adult active communities, and the buyers are not retired. Some buyers are here for a change of scenery, to open up a new business, or start investing. Wilma Pinstein is an active adult community realtor in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, and explains the numerous reasons why choosing an adult active community without retiring, can be the perfect decision for most people over the age of 55.  

Sense of Community 

If you are over the age of 55 and are not yet ready to retire, but are looking to move to a neighborhood that has a larger sense of community, engagement, and offers friendships, then adult active communities in South Florida are the perfect option for you. Adult active communities offer a sense of community that you simply don’t find in a typical neighborhood, and you do not have to be retired in order to move into one or enjoy the community.  

Care Free Living 

Is it really all about care-free living in the sun? In some senses, yes. If moving to an adult active community interests you because there is less maintenance, then you will not be disappointed. There is no need to maintain the garden or house because that can all be taken care of for you by property management. During this part of your life, you should enjoy the benefits of a hassle-free living environment, especially if you are not retired and are working all day. Care-free living at adult active communities in Boca Raton and Delray Beach mean a piece of mind after a long, hard day at work.  

Numerous Activities 

Adult active communities are for just that – active adults. Adult active communities in Delray Beach, all the way down to Boca Raton offer numerous activities for residents to enjoy and stay active. These neighborhoods and complexes offer activities for adults including sports, gatherings and mixers, and even trips to local hotspots. Take a cooking class, learn shuffle board, or master golf at your new adult active residential complex.  

5 Accurate 55 Plus Community Stereotypes

In South Florida, 55 plus communities are about as common as the golf courses and brand new Cadillacs cruising down the streets. Nowhere are there more adult active communities as there are in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach, Florida.  

Since Wilma Pinstein opened her 55 plus community real estate business in South Florida, she knew right away that people come here for the weather, for the activities, and for the affordable adult communities. Out of all the possible stereotypes you may have heard about Boca, Delray and Boynton, Pinstein explains how these are the five most accurate 55 plus community stereotypes you will ever hear. 

1. Golf course backyards. 

The sport in South Florida is golf. What we have down here are so many golf courses that the chances are your 55 plus community will feature a golf course as an amenity, or come with a golf membership included in the pricing!   

2. Sunday brunch is an all-day event. 

Sunday brunch is known as an all-day event in South Florida. You get on your slacks, gas up the car, and head to downtown. In Boca Raton, the place to be for a great Sunday brunch is Mizner Park. Mizner Park offers retirees great shopping and food, and is a long-time staple in Boca Raton, Florida. In Delray Beach, you drive to Atlantic Avenue for the best brunch in town, and in Boynton Beach, downtown is the place to go.  

Sunday Fun Day is the event of the weekend, and all 55 plus communities in South Florida are out in their Sunday best meeting friends and enjoying the sunny Florida weather. 

3. Smart and casual 24-7. 

Speaking of attire, South Florida adult active community style is simple: colorful tops and neutral bottoms.  

Great weather means casual attire, and Tommy Bahama is the store you will know by heart when you live in one of these 55 plus communities.  

4. Year-round cruises. 

If you are not playing golf, having brunch with friends, or shopping at the local, vintage thrift stores, you and some friends from your 55 plus community may be on a cruise. South Florida is filled with yachts and ports, so naturally, cruises are a typical occurrence. There are day crises, weekend cruises, or week-long cruises, all of which are a staple of the South Florida lifestyle after retirement.  

5. It's about people more than the place.  

The one thing that is more important than anything else is the people. Adult active communities in Boca Raton and Delray Beach are about connecting with each other. The golf, the brunch, and the cruises are just activities to enjoy while you spend time with friends and make new ones.