How Do You Know It’s Time to Downsize?

Is it time to move to a smaller home or downsize? Do you live in a large home with stairs to climb, too many rooms to heat and cool and too much on-going maintenance? Maybe you could use some of the equity you’ve built up in your current home. As our lives change so do our housing needs. That too big home may have been perfect when raising kids, it offered plenty of room and was close to good schools, and was in a great neighborhood. Now the kids have moved on, the neighborhood has changed, and so have your housing needs. So, how do you know it’s time to downsize?

• Do You Need the Equity From Your Current Home?
  In 2010 the median home equity for those between the ages of 55 and 64 was $100,000, according to Reuters. Americans aged 65 and over did even better; they typically claimed $135,000 in home equity. This built up equity may be your main retirement savings. Sometimes selling a home and converting that equity to cash will help you move to a retirement community or smaller maintenance free home.
• Do You Have Too Much House?
  Are you paying taxes, utilities, insurance and maintenance for a home that is too large for your current lifestyle? Would moving to a smaller, lower priced home, condo or apartment be easier to manage and save you resources?
• Does Your Home Work With Your Current Physical Ability?
  Do you have stairs that are now too much or unsafe for you to climb? Is there too much upkeep and maintenance for you to manage in your current home? Do you need more access ability for a walker or wheelchair?
• Do You Want To Be Closer to Family, Friends or Doctors?
  Would you like to move closer to family so that you can spend more time with your kids and grandchildren? Maybe your doctors or stores where you like to shop are not convenient. Are there good friend or relatives that you would like to live closer to?
• Would A Move Improve Your Lifestyle?
  Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel and would like to live in a small home that you could lock and leave so that you can visit those destinations on your wish list. Have you always wanted to live by a golf course, a beach or the mountains? Maybe you would like to live in a senior community that offers low maintenance living, social activities, bridge clubs, great meals, or health and wellness programs. Here are some of AARPs Best Places to Live lists.

As you can see there are a number of considerations when deciding to downsize. Downsizing can be for financial, health, family or lifestyle reasons. Consider the reasons, talk it over with your family and seek advice from financial, legal and real estate professionals. Careful planning and sound advice are crucial to a successful move.
We would love to assist you with planning for your downsize. 
The Sullivan & Sullivan real estate team specializes in helping older adults with the sometimes daunting downsize journey.   One of the resources we offer our clients is a complimentary “Downsizing Made Easy Guide.”  Click here to contact us for more information.

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The Wimbledon Neighborhood in Arlington, TX

The Wimbledon neighborhood in Arlington, TX  is a 2-square-mile area just south of I-20. Some of the residents still live in the first houses built, since they were built in the late 1970s and early ’80s. There are residents who grew up in Wimbledon, left then came back with their own children. Newcomers are attracted to the upscale houses with large yards and mature trees and landscaping.  The tennis-theme neighborhood name and street names pay homage to a popular racket club that anchored the neighborhood which burned in 1991 and was not replaced.

The homeowners association covers 177 lots in the original neighborhood, bounded by Bowen Road on the west, Bardin Road on the north, Old Mansfield Road on the east and Wimbledon Drive on the south. Home prices range from $220,000 to $600,000. The Wimbledon neighborhood is serviced by both the Arlington and Mansfield school districts.

Newer developments within Wimbledon have grown around the original neighborhood include: Wimbledon on the Creek, The Estates Above Wimbledon, Deerwood Park, Ouro Verde, and Buckingham Estates.

The Wimbledon Garden Club was formed in 1980 and is the principal organization of the neighborhoods. The Garden club has been beautifying the neighborhood since its inception doing chores like planting flowers and trees, pulling weeds, and spreading mulch. Click here for more information on the Wimbledon Garden Club found on the City of Arlington website.

The Garden Club was instrumental in getting the neighborhood’s main feature, the 
1,592-acre Wimbledon Park, built in 1985 at 2300 Wimbledon Drive. A major highlight of Wimbledon Park, on Wimbledon Drive is a fitness course that includes three fitness areas. There is a 1.1 mile trail with numerous curves and hills, great for runners and walkers.

Wimbledon is conveniently located close to shopping at the Parks Mall, Arlington Highlands and The Village at Sports Center shopping plaza which is located right at the corner of South Cooper and Wimbledon Drive. The neighborhood offers easy access to I-20 for commuting around the metro area.

Click here to see homes for sale in the Wimbledon neighborhood.

Technorati Tags: Wimbledon,Arlington Texas,Wimbledon neighborhoods,Homes for Sale in Wimbledon,Deerwood Park,Wimbledon on the Creek,Buckingham Estates,The Estates Above Wimbledon,Wimbledon Park