15 questions to ask before you buy a home in a 55+ community

Here are 15 important questions to ask before you commit to purchasing a home in an Arizona 55+ community.

1. Is the community located near amenities like grocery stores, hospitals, and shopping?

One of the most important aspects of deciding on the right 55+ community is determining if the surrounding community meets your needs. Some are located near cities of varying sizes while others are in more rural areas which might mean you’ll have to drive more to get to desired destinations. For more on this, see our “Check out the community” section below this set of questions.

2. What activities do you offer and how often?

One of the primary reasons that older adults choose 55+ communities is the social connections that come with being in proximity to their contemporaries. Though not all who live in these communities are retired, many are and have more free time to pursue hobbies and enjoyment. For this reason, it’s important to make sure that the community you choose has the type of activity programming that appeals to you on a schedule that fits the lifestyle you want.

3. What are the dues and community rules?

Ask how much the HOA dues are and request to see the bylaws. Most active adult communities have specific rules that must be followed. These might include:

• Children and grandchildren restrictions
• Pets (Limits on how many, allowable breeds and sizes)
• Parking (number of cars, where, RVs, boats)
• Guests or visitors (numbers, length of time, etc.)
• Other rules typically associated with HOAs

4. What facilities are available and how are they staffed and maintained?

As many of the enticing activities will be held in the community’s facilities and common spaces, ask about what they’re like, the amenities offered within, their general upkeep, and how much access you’ll have. If you hope to hold private gatherings in any of the spaces, ask if this is allowed and the reservation process.

5. What will your new neighbors be like?

It’s a subjective question but important to ask. See if you can get a sense from the sales team if the general culture of the place is in line with your personality, interests, and values. You could also ask to meet or attend an activity session to see if you mesh with the residents. In general, you’ll want to know that people actually participate in the activities offered.

6. How are the homes spaced and what are the layouts like?

At the end of the day, moving into a 55+ community means settling on a home that works for you, just as it should in any other type of community. If space and privacy are important to you, find out if there are some homes on larger lots with more setbacks between neighboring properties. Additionally, ask to see floor plans. For instance, you may not want a house with areas that require stairs or extra steps, or you may need higher square footage if you expect frequent visitors.

7. What’s the policy on age restrictions?

While this might not be obvious, different over 55+ communities have different policies about what age ranges are allowed among residents. For example, you might be 56 but your spouse might be 48. For some developments, this may not be a problem, but it’s important to find out. Additionally, if you have many grandchildren who will be spending a lot of time at your house, find out if there are a maximum number of days that young people can stay per year.

8.  Will I own the home or is this a lease community?

Love for a house or neighborhood can happen at first sight, but don’t go head over heels until you find out if your pick for a home in a 55+ community is for sale or lease. While you’re at it, be sure to find out all of the potential hidden costs that might come with the deal.

9. What plans are there for the adjacent property?

You may be looking at a newer 55+ community that’s not fully developed yet. As such your home might be surrounded by vacant lots or empty land. Find out what the plans are for those parcels. If you find out that a clubhouse will be constructed next door, that may or may not be an appealing revelation.

10. Is the community financially sound?

Before you buy a home in a 55+ community, ask to see financial reports to make sure that the development isn’t on shaky financial ground or headed for bankruptcy. This is important because it could affect your own property values as well as influence the quality of maintenance and amenity offerings.

11. Is there a reserve fund for maintenance?

Also known as a sinking fund, reserve funds are set aside to make sure that the development remains well-maintained such as common areas and landscaping. Again, strong property values depend on the general upkeep of the area, and if management can’t foot the bill things could deteriorate.

12. What other projects belong to this developer?

55+ communities often have other, similar developments in their portfolio. Research the other areas and see what locations, homes, and amenity offerings seem the best for your situation. The exercise will also give you a better sense of the developer’s track record.

13. Is the governing association easy to work with?

You will want a community board with a proven track record of working together and finding solutions. If you discover a dysfunctional board led by power-hungry or inept individuals, it may prove to be the cause of great angst and can harm the unity of the entire community. So, ask a number of different residents what their experience has been. Check with your real estate agent. Find out if the board and its members are competent, effective, and civil. One free resource to research your association or HOA is communityassociations.net.

14. What security and safety measures does the community have?

Safety is often a top-priority concern for seniors. Ask what security systems the community has in place. Do they have video surveillance and protocols for visitors? Is the entrance gated or guarded? How many emergency situations are handled each year and what are the response times?

15. What is the resale value of homes in the community?

While you may plan on making this your final lifetime move into a 55+ community, life circumstances can change unexpectedly. You may need to move closer to relatives or into an assisted living facility. Ask your real estate agent about the projected resale value of homes in the community. Review the HOA rules for restrictions on for-sale signs. Some 55+ communities have their own sales offices and prohibit hiring an outside agent.