Category Archives: Tips

Baby boomers may be retiring, but their youthful attitudes are giving them a new perspective, which has translated into a shift in the housing market. Instead of selling their homes as their parents would have, boomers are making essential renovations and upgrades to ensure that their homes are ready to accommodate them in the aging process. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular changes this generation is making!

1. Turning Downstairs Spaces into Living Areas. As the body ages, it undergoes changes that often make it difficult to go up and down stairs on a daily basis. Therefore, homeowners who are preparing their homes to accommodate them in their aging processes are renovating their downstairs spaces to become their new headquarters. Homeowners who used to have offices and bedrooms on the second story have undertaken renovations so that all their daily living can be done without the strain of climbing stairs.
2. Installing Smart Home Devices. Many baby boomers, who make up the majority of the generation transitioning to old age, are installing smart home devices to simplify their lives. Contrary to how society often depicts the boomer population, they are quite tech-savvy and are major consumers of smart devices, such as virtual home assistants, such as Alexa, and self-monitored stoves. Virtual home assistants offer simplicity for these seniors when they are seeking information online. This home tech also connects to lighting systems, alarm systems, and the thermostat – now all of a home’s electronics can be controlled with a simple voice command. The installation of self-monitoring stoves also works to help improve safety – these stoves can sense whether or not they’ve been left on or if the temperature is getting too hot. If a self-monitoring stove senses an error, it can automatically shut itself off.
3. Upgrading to Improve Energy Efficiency. Living in retirement often means living on a budget, so every saved penny is essential. Many homeowners entering this stage of life are upgrading various aspects of their home in hopes of reducing the costs of their day-to-day living. They’ve taken steps that include installing double-paned, energy efficient windows to reduce the amount of heat that escapes in the winter and the amount of cold air that escapes in the summer; exchanging old lights with new efficient ones – some which even run on timers to ensure that they are turned off during sunny and sleeping hours; replacing air conditioners and water heaters with new models that are designed to reduce environmental impact; and, of course, trading outdated kitchen appliances for eco-friendly ones. By making these investments, individuals aging at home are creating opportunities for long-term savings.

The Challenges with These Upgrades

Many baby boomers live in the same homes they’ve occupied for decades, which means they are still using ancient appliances that demand an excess of both time and money to replace. On the plus side, this allows homeowners to make renovations specific to their wants and needs. However, on the downside, many homeowners cannot afford to commit an exuberant amount of money and time to making these changes – they’d often rather spend their resources on the vacations they’ve been saving for retirement!

Therefore, plenty of homeowners are taking a different approach and are selling their homes, hoping to move into one with upgraded appliances already installed. When purchasing a newer home, such upgrades are typically expected from contractors, and the mass production of new equipment is driving down costs, allowing homeowners to purchase homes at a lower rate. In addition, some boomers are moving into one-story homes in an effort to remove all the hassle that comes with maintaining a two-story home. Not only will the downsize reduce their costs, but it will save them the time spent doing the chores involved with keeping a second story clean.

Making The Move

Are you in search of an elegant, simple solution that will land you in a perfect one-story home with all of the essential upgrades for making life easy? Well, we have the answer: sell your home to an all-cash buyer and quickly earn the capital to make your move. By taking this route, you can avoid the hassle of selling on the market, which allows you to skip the stress of working with a real estate agent and making the essential upgrades needed to sell. You can sell your home – NOW – as-is and receive an-all cash offer. To learn more, contact us, and we can guide you through the process of getting out of your home and into a new one – one that is well-equipped to ease you into aging at home!

Throughout different phases in your life you have more than likely had different perspectives on the idea of living near family. For those who are eighteen and getting out on their own for the first time, they experience excitement when they take that first step away from their home town. However, as we age, our desire to live away from family tends to decline. We start to realize the benefits of living near family. If you currently live away from your family, it may be time to consider moving closer to them. Here’s why: 

For Families

If you have children or are interested in starting a family, then moving closer to family can reduce financial and emotion stress. Having family nearby can:

• Provide families a sense of security: If there is an emergency there will always be someone nearby you can trust to call in those moments.
• Assist when you are on vacation: If you have pets or plants, or just a home that you protect, then having family nearby to check in on the home when you are on vacation can both ease your mind and save you money. Especially if you own pets! Pet sitters or sending your animals to the kennel can be a costly expense – often more than the vacation itself!
• Offer safe and cheap child care! If you have children and are working or are just looking for a Friday night sitter, finding a reliable individual to meet your expectations can be challenging. Plus, child care services can run over $20 per hour these days!

As for the kids, they always appreciate living near family. Children who grow up near extended family are provided the opportunity to:

• Form a closer bond with their grandparents. This is a healthy relationship to allow your children to have – giving them the opportunity to spend time with grandparents provides them the chance to learn life lessons they may have otherwise missed.
• Grow up with their cousins who often act as brothers and sisters.

For Single Individuals

If you are single, then you may be reading this article and thinking that living away from family does not impact you as much. This however is the opposite of the truth – as a single individual (at any age), moving near family can actually increase your sense of satisfaction and happiness in life. You can be a part of your family’s unique social network, attend family gatherings, and have never ending support on your life’s endeavors.

For Retirees

Now, what about those entering into retirement? Well, this is the best news of all – as your age, living near family in a social environment helps improve your health! When you stay connected, get to spend time with grandchildren, and experience a sense of purpose, you can actually reduce your risk of getting certain diseases and improve your energy.

In addition, retirees may experience some of the same benefits as families. Seniors who live near family can benefit from having family members nearby in case of an emergency and they can have assistance to care for their house when they are taking a vacation; again, these factors can help save money!

Are You Ready To Move Near Family?

You may have read this and identified that it could be beneficial to move near family, but then the daunting thought came to your mind – “If I move I have to go through the process of selling my home!” This process can be long, expensive and tedious. It involves finding a real estate agent, providing opportunities for your agent to prepare marketing materials and host open houses, participating in negotiations, and paying for inspections – to name a few.

However – what if there was a way to move near family and avoid selling your home on the market? Good news, there is! You can sell to us, Gulf State Homebuyers.

We here at Gulf State Homebuyers are all-cash home buyers located in Baytown, Texas. We buy homes all around the Houston area at competitive prices. We provide clients the opportunity to close on their home within five days of our initial offer. We buy homes as-is – this means that you do not need to waste time or money on inspections and upgrades. We also help with some financial assistance with our clients – there are no closing costs or agent fees acquired by our clients and we help with their moving expenses.

Move near family today! Contact us for a free consultation on how we can help you.

Whether you are going through a divorce or just looking for a change of pace in your life, moving to get the fresh start you are seeking can be an excellent and life-changing decision.

Become Who You Want

If you have been stuck in a life that does not match your expectations 100%, moving may be able to give you the freedom to change your perspective and become who you want. Many people question this motive, finding that moving is simply escaping existing problems; however, studies have proven that in fact moving can give individuals new mental freedom that cannot come from staying in their current home. Transitioning to a new space allows you to see the world in a different light – and often, create a lifestyle that fits your wants.

Get A Clean Break

If you have recently experienced a break-up or even a divorce, then moving can give you the fresh start you need to get your life back on track.  You may feel lost, especially if you had been with your significant other for an extended period of time. The neighborhood may remind you of your time together, bringing up both positive and negative emotions. Creating a new life in a home where you had a life with an ex-partner can be extremely challenging – therefore, moving to a new home can bring about an opportunity to not only redecorate but also to find yourself and discover who you are outside of that old relationship.

Challenge Yourself

When you stay in the same home for an extended period of time life can become simple, filled with the same people and the same routines. You learn the ins and out of the neighborhood and how to exist with ease. Although this may sound appealing to some, to others it creates a sense of dissatisfaction with life – it makes individuals feel stuck. Moving to create challenges can be a healthy decision, forcing you to meet new people and try new things. Not only can this reduce your feelings of complacency but it can actually improve your mental health and increase overall happiness.

Escape A Bad Situation

Life is full of unexpected surprises and often it is hard to find solutions to those problems. For example, if your child’s school district is not challenging them to their full potential, or if you have a dispute with a neighbor that cannot seem to get resolved. Unfortunately, these situations happen and sometimes staying in your present home only intensifies the problem. If this has happened to you, you may want to consider moving for a fresh start – say, to get your child into that new program that helps them grow or allows you to escape the persistent neighborly dispute. Moving to escape does not admit defeat, but instead represents courage as it is difficult to admit you need a new start and even more difficult to take that leap.

Expand Your Relationships

If you find yourself living in a neighborhood that lacks community interaction, you may be experiencing a sense of loneliness. Since the 1990’s there has been a reduction in the amount of interaction Americans have with their neighbors. In fact, many Americans report that they do not even know their neighbors. This can reduce one’s satisfaction with their living situation – If you are living alone it may enhance the feeling of isolation; if you have a family it may create challenges in meeting people for weekend activities. Therefore, moving to a neighborhood that is focused on community events and interactions can assist you in expanding relationships and getting a fresh start to a new life.

Taking the Leap!

It is estimated that in 2018 only 11% of Americans moved. Although you may be thinking that this is because Americans are happy in their home, it is actually due to the fact that people avoid moving at all costs – it is time consuming, can be expensive, and creates unwanted stress. However, for those that do take the leap and start fresh in a new home, they often report an increase in happiness and satisfaction in life.

We love hearing stories from members of our community who took the leap and improved their situation, and we also love helping them get there. This is why we have created a process that makes the transition a bit easier. If you own your home and are ready to get a fresh start, we offer an all cash offer for your home – this way you can focus on your next move.

We purchase homes in all conditions and as-is; we provide quick closes and even help our clients with their moving fees.

If you are ready for your fresh start, contact us today for a free consultation.

When purchasing a home, homeowners must determine if they are willing to take on HOA fees, or Homeowner Association Fees. These fees are typically paid monthly and are used to cover the costs of maintaining communal areas in the neighborhood, including landscaping, amenities such as pools, tennis courts, and meeting rooms, as well as all other areas used by the residential complex.

Why People Move to an HOA Community?

Many individuals are extremely hesitant to moving to a neighborhood that has HOA fees. However, the communities can provide a multitude of benefits to homeowners. First and foremost, these neighborhoods are committed to maintaining the cleanliness, uniformity, and beauty of a community. Not only are funds attributed to ensuring this, but the association also sets strict rules on community members to confirm that the premises are well maintained. This includes limiting the color an individual can paint their house and ensuring that all community members keep up with their house maintenance.

In addition to ensuring the beauty of the neighborhood, homeowner associations can also assist community members when they are confronted with neighbor disputes. Problems that would often require police assistance, such as loud music and unwanted parties, can be mediated by individuals in the association.

The Downsides of Moving to an HOA Community…

Although living in a HOA community may sound great to start, many homeowners discover the downfalls once they move in. The reality is that HOA communities can be costly. The monthly fees can range, usually from $100 and beyond. For those who are looking to prepare for retirement, this can be a barrier to getting ahead. Paying monthly fees can easily hinders one’s ability to add to their 401k. Plus, once someone finally retires, even if they have their home paid off, they are committed to paying monthly HOA fees until they move. When you are trying to live your retirement with minimal stress this can be an unwanted responsibility.

Additionally, these required monthly dues can create havoc if some unexpected life event occurs that requires financial restraint – say if you lose a job. Most bills can be negotiated and reduced with a change in lifestyle – however, if you live in a HOA community, you are stuck paying the fees regardless. This could eventually lead to an unwanted move, and one that could have been avoided if you were not living in a HOA community.

There are other factors that individuals overlook when moving into a HOA community as well, and these are the restrictions that many HOA communities place on their community members. Often, the rules are quite rigid on what homeowners can and cannot do. For example, many communities restrict their members from: renting a room in their home, growing food/gardening, parking commercial and recreational vehicles on the streets, and entertaining guests for an extended period of time, to name a few. Unless you as a homeowner are ready to abide by a long list of rules and regulations, you may want to reconsider if living in a HOA community is right for you.

How Can You Get Out Of Your HOA Community?

Have you purchased a home in a HOA community and have you now realized that it was a poor decision? If so, then selling may be easier than you think. You can sell to us, Gulf State Homebuyers. We are all-cash investors who purchase homes in the Houston area. We have worked with multiple homeowners who have regretted purchasing in HOA communities, whether it was because of their monthly fees or unwanted restrictions; therefore, we have developed a system that helps these homeowners get out of their fees and find a home that they can one day own, free and clear.

Selling your home on the market can be time consuming and tedious – it often creates stress and anxiety, steering people away from selling. They then end up living in the HOA community longer than they want.

Deciding to sell to an all cash buyer on the other hand can assist in reducing those negative emotions. We purchase homes all-cash and as-is. We provide competitive offers to individuals such as yourself, giving you the freedom to focus on finding your next home. We purchase homes that have HOA fees, and we even assist our clients with their moving costs.

If you want to learn more about how to get rid of your HOA fees today, contact us now to speak with one of our qualified staff.