Know which remodeling projects pay off
Are you planning to spruce up your home? Whether you’re getting ready to sell your house or you’re just tired of having a dated kitchen or bathroom, it’s important to make smart, cost-effective choices when you renovate. If you expect to stay put for a while, even a minor remodeling project can enhance your enjoyment of the space. And if you plan to put your house on... READ MORE
Understanding the new real estate rules
A $418 million settlement reached last year with the National Association of Realtors (NAR) led to new requirements for real estate transactions in ways that could save you money on the purchase or sale of a home. The settlement stemmed from class-action lawsuits that claimed the industry-wide practice of requiring seller’s agents to specify the commission being offered to buyer’s... READ MORE
How tech makes aging in place possible
Older adults may not have grown up with the internet or smartphones, but this generation of retirees is increasingly embracing tech solutions to help them age in place. “Technology has an array of uses that are really going to help people retire in almost a different way,” said Kathleen Cameron, senior director of the National Council on Aging’s Center for Healthy... READ MORE
Ten safe, livable communities for retirees
Retirement is all about freedom and choice. It’s doing what you want on your terms — like moving to a new town to be closer to family, craving warmer weather, or simply wishing for a different view from your kitchen window. Making sure the retirement town you choose is safe and yet still provides everything you need when you retire is vital to any move. Analyzing data from the... READ MORE
January Housing News
New law protects Maryland renters If you rent your home and your landlord decides to sell it, a new Maryland law grants you first rights to buy the property. The Renters’ Rights and Stabilization Act, which Gov. Wes Moore signed last fall, allows tenants a 30-day window to make an offer before the property can be put on the real estate market. Landlords who don’t comply will be fined... READ MORE
Area communities offer tech to residents
Someday robots may wheel through the halls of retirement communities, distributing pills, answering questions, or checking in with residents. Artificial intelligence (AI) might be added to wheelchairs to avoid fender benders, tinted windows to block the glare, or heating and air conditioning systems to improve efficiency. In fact, some basic AI technologies are already being implemented in ... READ MORE
Seniors Helping Seniors does just that
If you’re living at home and need some extra help around the house, many companies are on hand to provide light housekeeping, run errands or cook meals. One company is unique, though. Seniors Helping Seniors hires older adults to care for other older adults. As they put it, they provide “affordable, professional in-home care services and heartfelt companionship.” Launched in... READ MORE
Is a niche retirement community for you?
Baby Boomers have been shaping consumer goods and services since they were in onesies. Now, history’s most influential generation is fueling the growth of the next logical sector: the niche retirement community. Niche retirement communities are exactly what they sound like. They’re residential developments — urban, suburban and even seafaring — designed to appeal to narrowly... READ MORE
After downsizing, should you buy or rent?
I grew up in a Red Sox household. The mere sight of the Yankees’ logo caused a gag reflex until my early 30s when I realized just how ridiculous that was. People tend to have similar feelings about renting vs. owning a home. They pick a side and stick with it. Logic be damned. For retirees, there are many more fans of owning than there are of renting, with Vanguard estimating... READ MORE
Best states to live as a retiree in the U.S.
Florida, Colorado and Virginia top the list of the best places to retire in the U.S. in 2024, according to a new survey from WalletHub. The survey compared the 50 states across 46 key indicators — from tax rates and the cost of living, to access to quality medical care and fun activities. Regardless of the reason for moving in retirement — living closer to family,... READ MORE
