The Great 401K Experiment and 16 Strategies for Creating Wealth

You have been diligently saving into your 401K and looking forward to your retirement. You are 57 years old and you open your statement. You?ve lost half of your retirement investment. Suddenly retirement has been pushed back beyond age 65 and you will need a part-time job when you retire. You have been saving into your 529 college plan. Junior is about to turn 18; instead of the one hundred thousand dollars you expected based on what you were told were the historic returns of the market, you have less than half of that. Now you have to have the conversation with Junior, valedictorian of his class, about going to the Junior College.

What if your financial planner told you that you were about to embark on a great experiment? That the experiment would require you to set a consistent amount of money aside for 30 years in a lock box controlled by investment banks and the United States Federal Government, limit your investment options to mutual funds and bonds, and hope that certain beliefs about long term historical returns hold true until you need your money at the end of your working life.

That is exactly the first conversation that I had with my financial planner 7 years ago. She said to me, ?Ouida, these mutual funds, 401Ks and 529 college plans?this is all a great experiment Large groups of people have never retired or planned for college in this way before and we won?t know how this experiment is going to turn out for another 10 years or so.?

When I heard that,I realized television pundits and financial authors simply articulated unproven strategies in an overall experiment that began in the late 1970?s when corporations began to shift the responsibility for retirement planning and pension funding onto employees. I thought about the meaningless conversations that I had with my erstwhile plumber about the latest hot mutual fund and whether or not he should buy Google. The Great 401K Experiment has turned the majority of employees into investors and turned the man on the street or the salesman behind the desk into a financial guru.

Wikipedia defines an experiment in the following manner: In scientific inquiry, an experiment (Latin: ex- periri, “to try out”) is a method of investigating causal relationships among variables. An experiment is a cornerstone of the empirical approach to acquiring data about the world and is used in both natural sciences and social sciences. An experiment can be used to help solve practical problems and to support or negate theoretical assumptions.

I wonder who ever thought that by diligently placing money in their 401K that they were ?trying out? their retirement plan?

As a physician, I rely on the outcomes of well-designed experiments to determine the best therapeutic strategy for my patients. In health care, by the time an experiment involving a therapeutic intervention is carried out on human test subjects, basic assumptions about the therapeutic intervention have already been formulated and tested in the laboratory. In medicine, we know what the variables are and we control for them, we have specific outcome measures and, most importantly, we can stop the experiment if the outcome is out of line with expectations and proves to be harmful to patients.

Despite involving human test subjects, the goings on in the world of finance and retirement planning have nothing to do with a safe controlled experiment. No, in the world of personal finance and retirement planning, we have what is known as an observational study. In an observational study, people participate in a series of activities and we follow them long term to the end. Whatever that end is. We are simply along for the ride waiting to see what happens. In terms of retirement planning, that could mean a retirement lived in poverty or a retirement in which all of the financial needs are met. But this experiment does not guaranty the latter outcome.

Let?s look at the assumptions that financial planners and employees alike have made:

1) In retirement, expenses will go down. Therefore retirees will need only 75% of their pre-retirement income. This means that a person with an annual income of $100,000 during his working years, should set enough aside to generate an annual income of $75, 000 in retirement. This assumption has one basic flaw: it ignores inflation. Current estimates are that retirees will need $250,000 to $300,000 dollars just to handle health care expenditure. This basic tenet of retirement planning ignores the realities of many retirees, personal illness, the need to care for a sick spouse or adult children.

2) Stock market returns average 8% per year over the long haul. This is simply untrue. A quick trip to moneychimp.com shows that the S&P has returned 8.76% since 1871. However that percentage drops to 6.56% when adjusted for inflation. If you could have been invested in the markets for the past 137 years you could have done okay. But 137 years really does challenge the idea of just what the long haul is. The long haul is certainly more than 10 years. From January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2008 market returns were 0.96%. Inflation-adjusted returns were -1.44%. As I discuss in my article, The Stock Market: The Second Greatest Financial Scam of the 20th Century, the long haul for stocks is more like 30 years. It becomes obvious, then, what you should do if you are 50, intend to retire at 65 and are contemplating putting money in the markets as an investment.

3) Home prices will always go up. This assumption made home ownership tantamount to putting money away monthly into a super-charged savings account. I?ve never seen a savings account lose value the way the housing market did during the Savings and Loan crash and this most recent financial downturn.

4) Capital gains are better than cashflow. The current economic environment is a prime example of what happens when people invest for capital gains alone. When the capital gains party stops wealth is devastated. With cashflow, however, businesses can operate as usual. It is estimated that 20 percent of real estate loans made during the housing boom went to investors. What if all of those investors had invested for cashflow? Price appreciation made cashflow impossible for most of the investor purchases that were made in the last 4 years. Absent cash flow, investor money would have remained on the sidelines, fewer loans would have been made, property valuations would have remained in check and part of the speculation that drove the recent housing market would have been absent.

What happens when the basic assumptions of an experiment prove false? The experiment fails. In medicine, a failed experiment sends everyone back to the drawing board looking for answers. Not so in the world of personal finance. Personal Finance is called personal finance for a reason. You are the person and it is your finance. You are the only one who goes back to the drawing board usually with less money than you started with. The broker who sold you the stocks made his money. The fee-only planner that you were told to use by Smart Money Magazine made her money. The fund manager made his money.

What is the solution? Education. Education of the financial type. Every waking minute of every waking day. Yes this is work, but it is the only way. Those who don?t want to do this type of work should remain participants in the observational experiment to whatever end. My financial planner made sure that I stayed out of 529 plans, and that I did not invest in IRAs outside of my 401K plan. The way to wealth is simple and it is the following:

1) Live below your means
2) If housing prices in your area are too high, rent, but aim to keep total housing costs at less than 20% of income
3) Buy a quality car no more often than every 10 years and maintain that car. Car leases and frequent new car purchases are among the greatest drainers of household wealth
4) Eliminate consumer debt.
5) Obtain skills in writing, sales and marketing
6) Save
7) Invest savings into income-producing assets:
a) businesses such as network marketing
b) real-estate
Work with those assets once you do invest to make sure they produce income.
9) Protect all assets via entities
10) Find advisors and partners that you can trust who have your interests in mind. They are not hard to find.
11) Understand yourself and your tolerance for risk. For many putting money into bonds and not giving financial education another thought is the best strategy.
12) Read a financial book per month and attend one business development seminar per year that teaches a specific skill
13) Stay away from mainstream financial magazines. They only offer the same pabulum that has left many high and dry, stripped of their wealth.
14) Subscribe to Investors Business Daily, The Financial Times or The Wall Street Journal
15) Stay away from personal development seminars but read personal development books
16) Implement the strategies and skills from the seminars and books

Your time investment will be at least 10 hours per week. Are you ready to invest the time and get going?

School Superintendents and Community College Presidents a Great Marriage

There is a tremendous opportunity to enhance our competitive edge in the global economy that is often overlooked. It’s time for community college presidents and school superintendents to form new relationships.  This relationship should consist of something greater than traditional dual enrollment programs.  The potential for changing whole communities and job prospects is tremendous.  Currently over 47% of the students who attend post-secondary education institutions are attending community colleges.   The employment needs of the United States will go unfilled if we are not giving students greater preparation to earn a minimum of an associate degree.

 

A high school education is not sufficient education to comprehend the new way that technology will influence nursing, finance and computer technology. As the baby boomers retire a wide array of jobs will become available that require fresh leadership.  A high school education will not prepare a new employee to survive in the information age.  Some of the conversations about how society is changing must occur while students are attending high school.

It is to our country’s global advantage to have a workforce that is trained to move into higher levels of management and into the executive suite. 

 

Too many high school students fear that they cannot succeed as a college student.  Nationally only 30 percent of high school students are pursuing a degree.  This means that the vast majority of students are not receiving an education to compete in a 21st century economy.  Sometimes students are discouraged because of the types of grades they are earning while attending high school.  School districts need to teach students how to be self-learners.  They need to know that they can improve their grades with additional efforts.

 

Community college admission staff and faculty need to spend more time connecting with high schools.  These professionals can play a role in changing a high school student’s expectations.  Parents can also learn that the cost of community college education is often half the cost of four year institutions.  Some high school students say they never have received a visit from an admissions officer from any college.  When community colleges reach out to schools it sends a message that students are welcomed to apply.

 

Students need to be well informed about the opportunity to complete community college credits while they are attending high school.  Establishing a collaborative relationship between school superintendents and community college presidents can create a successful college preparation program. This is important since many high school students lose hope during 9th grade. There is an opportunity for students to learn how much work is required to prepare for a college level course.   It will eliminate some of the peer pressure that discourages high school students from academic excellence.

 

The marriage between school superintendents and community college presidents can provide an ongoing resolution to changes in the workforce.  Industry should be an additional partner that inspires students through knowledge of their employment needs.  There will be a greater need for internships that prepare students for full time employment.  The road that leads to a brighter future is paved with an educated workforce.

 

 

 

Private Communities – Offer A Great Lifestyle

Private Communities enable residents to live exclusively in environments that are located around, if not on championship type golf courses. Naturally, not only can these people enjoy great living amenities, but they can also enjoy the game of golf that they love so much. Even if you are someone who is not quite crazy about golf, you will surely like the rolling greens. No wonder, Private Communities have become so hugely popular in recent times.

Here at these private gated communities, not only can you enjoy the manicured lawns and the undulating plains, but you have can enjoy so many other activities that include playing pool and tennis, working out at the gym, or having a great time at the bar and the restaurant. Plus, there are many more activities you could select from in these amazing Private Communities such as horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming and more.

The minimum that you could expect to find here is an ambience of extravagance and lavishness. Above everything however in these Private Communities, the stress is always on safety and security.

There are armed guards and electronic security gadgets at these Private Communities to ensure that the residents can live in peace at their private community homes. This is one reason why more than 8 million US citizens have chosen to live in Private Communities since the beginning of the current millennium.

It is a given fact that the cost of living at these Private Communities is often on the higher side, but in spite of this, there are scores of people who want to stay in these Private Communities.

Then with the passage of time, and with the realization of all the plus factors, they have turned those into their permanent places of residence. If you visit these communities, you will also come across a high number of retired individuals, who get attracted because of the serenity and the peaceful ambience that these places offer. Many of these people do not want to get involved with all the activities, and just prefer to relax in the calm and peaceful ambience.

For others, these communities are nothing, but just opportunities to invest in real estate.

It is increasingly seems that staying at these Private Communities may be the thing of the future, as cities become more congested and risky. It is believed that the popularity of these communities will sky-rocket in the near future. Interestingly, these communities are placed almost always close to golf courses and since more and more people are getting involved with the game now, it is expected that the popularity of Private Communities will also continue to rise.

5 Great Reasons to Retire to Palm Beach County

If you are beginning your search for the perfect place to spend your golden years, there are questions that need to be considered. Where will give you the most for your money? Where can you find all the resources you want for daily life? Where will give you the most enjoyment for the rest of your lives? For thousands of retirement age people, the answer to these questions and more are in Palm Beach County, Florida.

One reason to consider Palm Beach and Jupiter is the simple fact that it is right at the beach. People spend their vacations every year at the beach. Fishing, amazing food, lots of recreation – so why would you go anywhere else? You can take a vacation that will last the rest of your life? Sunny skies, warm ocean waters, and great scenery are what we left home year-after-year to find, so relocating your home to where you have those every day is definitely a consideration.

A huge consideration is that your dollars will last much longer there. Once the initial investment is completed, the standard of living in Palm Beach can be as much or as little as you want to pay. Entertainment abounds in all kinds of forms, but the best, most enjoyable entertainment is free. The sun, sand, and surf are all absolutely free of charge.

In today’s economy, another factor to look at is the housing market. Housing prices have dropped dramatically, and nowhere is that as evident as it is in Palm Beach County. You will find houses and condos more affordable than they have been in decades. Wondering if you can afford to move is no longer the question. The question should be, can you afford not to go? Many people find that relocating now actually saves them money, and that they can actually afford to live the lifestyle they only dreamed they could even just a few short years ago.

You will also find some of the best medical care in the country right in Palm Beach County. What does this mean to you? Whatever medical needs there are can be met with the amazing facilities available. Your money as well as your life can go farther.

Lastly, moving somewhere that you can be your happiest for the rest of your life is the main point to a retirement plan. Enjoying the sand and surf, the great food, good company and knowing that all of your needs are capable of being easily met is the reward you’re expecting after a lifetime of hard work. Palm Beach County is exactly where you want to be. Start your life now, not ten years from now!

Santa Barbara Offers Great Facilities for Your Loved One

Santa Barbara is one of those cities in California that senior citizens really enjoy living in because it is so beautiful and offers many options specifically for them. Even though only about 11% of California’s population is older than 65, Santa Barbara has become one of the most sought after cities for seniors to retire to. As a state, California is growing in popularity with seniors all across the nation even though its senior citizen population is much lower than the national average.

It is time consuming to search for a home for your loved ones – determining their needs, researching facilities, trying to figure out which one is the best option for them. Senior citizens deserve a peaceful life after retirement, and every child wants his or her parents to live out their golden years in comfort. Santa Barbara is one California city that can help you to achieve both goals.

Assisted living in Santa Barbara is one of the best solutions for those looking for a home after retirement. Sometimes older people need a little extra help or a lot of extra care during their day to day activities. If so, assisted living in Santa Barbara is easy to find because it is a beautiful city with many options for the elderly. There are several assisted living centers especially designed for seniors and their specific needs. There are independent homes. There are continuing care retirement communities that offer options based on the resident’s needs, whether they can live independently, need a bit of assistance or need full-time nursing care. Other facilities specialize in Alzheimer’s care with options for the level of care needed. For seniors concerned with taking a personal interest their well-being, most centers offer a number of options to join several communities dealing with fitness and other activities.

When researching facilities, it should be noted that there are some facilities for assisted living in Santa Barbara that are not licensed by the California Department of Public Health. It is important to research any assisted living facility you’re considering before moving your loved ones into the facility. Some things to look into are making sure that the employees follow proper regulations regarding cleanliness and quality meals, as well as safety and security of the center.

Most assisted living centers in Santa Barbara are located in clean and well-maintained surroundings and have several facilities to take proper care of senior citizens. They are designed to provide a comfortable, homelike atmosphere and provide all the necessary support for the elderly to lead a peaceful life.

 

Seniors Beware, Health And Fitness Equals Great Sex

Having a great sex life by adults over 60 is largely dependent on health and lifestyle. Their children and grandchildren are having a hard time getting used to the facts of life, that their aging parents or grandparents might still be enjoying sex. The baby boomers that are actually the original ‘flower children’ started the sexual revolution over 40 years ago. For a lot of them who are over 60, the revolution is still goin’ strong ‘though it is an undeniable fact more than a few of them are experiencing problems in getting the va-va-vroom back in the old engine.

Sexual arousal doesn’t die when a person gets older. Aging is simply a period in life. It does not mean that a person becomes physically or sexually unappealing nor does it mean you become less interested in sex as you age.

According to a recent study, the number of seniors in their 70’s who are sexually active – and are bragging about it being great sex – is increasing. Also, older women are indicating being satisfied with their sex lives. There’s an increase in the number of these women who are reporting having an orgasm during sex and a decrease in the number who report not having an orgasm. There also is a general increase in the number of women who are reporting high sexual satisfaction. Though not as many women are reporting low satisfaction with their sex lives, it is a different situation for men – there has been an increase in the number of men who are reporting not being satisfied. Probably, this is due to the new idea of men accepting responsibility for sexual failure instead of blaming the opposite sex, according to the authors.

The coverage by the media of retired baby-boomers and their older cousins paint a picture of seniors that are a homogeneous group who jump into bed and ‘hook-up’ with great abandon. Sex is now a Fountain of Youth. In fact, the diversity in sexual interest and activity in the over 65 crowds is as diverse as the individuals who are part of that group. It is evident that the later years can be a time of relief since there are no children hiding in nearby bedrooms, and you don’t have to worry about jumping up early in the A.M. to head for work. For many of us, this is a time we are free to explore sexual expression in ways never before realized. A time to cast away the societal expectations of earlier years. For others, they no longer worry about sexual performance, and seek other forms of companionship and sharing.

Regarding health, one fascinating recent study found that older men having more than two orgasms per week have a lower mortality rate. Of course, these numbers demonstrate a correlation between sex and longevity; the numbers do not show that sex prolongs life. More than likely, the answer is that older people who are well enough to engage in sexual activity are more than likely also healthier in general. But I believe that sexual activity can be and is physically, intellectually, and even spiritually fulfilling. Also, it’s considered a good form of exercise, and it can stimulate the brain and promote good mental function.

Today’s older adults are active, on the go and still doing many of the things they enjoyed in their younger years, a healthy sexual relationship can positively affect all aspects of your life, including your physical health and self-esteem.

You might get the idea from movies and TV that sex is only for younger adults, but that’s not true. Man’s need for intimacy is ageless. Humans never outgrow the need for affection, emotional closeness and intimate love and they never will. People still have their sexual fantasies and desires into their 80s and 90s.

It’s true that sex in the 70’s and 80’s is not the same as in the 20s, but it can be as fulfilling and as enjoyable. Understanding the changes your bodies are going through will help you prepare for the challenges you’ll face. These changes can affect sexual relationships. The physical changes are the most often discussed, but psychological issues must also be considered. Testosterone regulates the sex drive in both men and women. The good news is, most aging men and women produce the testosterone levels required to maintain their interest in sex. Some changes that occur in your body may make some aspects of sex more difficult; with these changes you will have a reason to try new positions and techniques.

Here’s news you can use! A study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has found that caffeine may hold the secret to a better sex life for seniors. They found that among married men, 59% that didn’t drink coffee had trouble getting it up when needed while only 36% of the same group who did drink coffee reported similar problems. Of course, this correlation between coffee and sex might just be a statistic. The group that chooses to drink coffee might just be healthier overall.

It is a known fact, better health translates into better sex lives, healthy people are more likely to engage in sex and not just sex, but good sex, and to actually express an interest in more sex. So, lets make sure we do all we can to live healthy and enjoy our later years fully.

7 steps towards a great retirement

As a Retirement Coach, I have found that a couple’s capacity to have a great retirement is mainly determined by seven factors:

1. Planning

We all know that just because two individuals share their lives, it does not mean they necessarily want to do the same things, have the same priorities, or even the same level of determination to plan for the future.  This places extra strain on any relationship, no matter how good, and changing your lifestyle as you move into retirement can be a difficult time for any couple.

Planning to meet the needs and wishes of two people is quite challenging and often requires some help.  You need to come to mutual understandings rather than to verbal blows!  As you consider all the significant issues hopefully some common needs and wants will emerge.  Naturally some differences will also emerge.  How you deal with the differences will be a test for your communication skills.

Financial planning is a completely separate topic, one that is beyond the scope of this article.  However by planning your retirement lifestyle thoroughly you reduce the risk of making financial decisions that can turn out to be costly mistakes, such as moving to another area which doesn’t really meet your needs.  Taking the time to plan this phase of your life is wise financially, so that all of your hard-earned money is used productively to enable you to have the best quality and best suited retirement lifestyle.

Communication

Couples designing their retirement lifestyle find it is important to recognise that relationship issues and the need for compromise must be considered without losing each person’s own needs and wants in the process.

Many couples, even happy well-suited couples, get into poor communication habits over many years together.  These habits can prevent you from really hearing what your partner is saying.  They can also stop you from openly expressing your wants and needs.  Ideally when you are planning your retirement lifestyle you need to create an environment of mutual sharing that is well beyond your usual level of everyday communication.

The commitment to working through this process will challenge some of your old communication habits, revitalizing and strengthening your communication while moving towards a well-designed retirement lifestyle.  This can be great for your relationship!

3. Mutual goals

Businesses usually create mission statements in an attempt to focus everyone on their common direction and mutual goals.  Consider how much more important it is for a couple to have shared goals that they are working towards!

As you rediscover one another through the lifestyle planning process your mutual goals will start to emerge.  This creates a very powerful bond, a way of focusing your attention towards the things that you wish to achieve together rather than your differences and idiosyncrasies.  After all, if you are going to spend the next 20 to 30 years together, it is definitely preferable to be heading in the same direction!

4. Personal purpose

People need purpose, a reason to get out of bed and a reason to be motivated.  Without purpose the human spirit tends to wither a little, but with purpose people can achieve great things.  If you design your lifestyle to incorporate your passions, your interests and your values, then you will build purpose into your life.  Through the process of planning your lifestyle for the next phase of life, your purpose will emerge.  This purpose needs to be strong enough to give you a sense of delight and anticipation…..not a purpose of duty and obligation, but a purpose of self-fulfilment.

5. Freedom from financial concerns

You’ve worked hard all your life.  You’ve invested, saved, contributed to a retirement fund and generally did what you could to ensure a secure retirement.  It is bad timing for us all that the global economy has, in a very short time, robbed us of much of the value of our investments.  But, in true Baby Boomer style, we can’t let this beat us!

The current global economy will provide additional incentive to many of our generation to investigate new models of retirement.

6. Good health and wellbeing

A realistic healthy lifestyle plan is an essential part of your retirement lifestyle planning.  Through building the ingredients for good health and fitness into your retirement lifestyle plan, you increase your probability of being healthy and strong and having an overall sense of wellbeing.  Ensure that your plan includes the things you already like doing or think you will like to do.  If you create a healthy lifestyle plan that is not realistic it isn’t likely to last long!

7. Relationships

Having supportive sustaining relationships with other people is always important, but in the very busy career years of your life relationships with friends and extended family often suffer from neglect.

When you are planning a fulfilling lifestyle for your future years it is important that you consider the relationships which will be part of your life.  How can you nurture your cherished relationships with family and friends, whether in person or at a distance?  Are there ways you can make the “have to” relationships more acceptable and more comfortable in your life?  New people will come into your life so you need to create opportunities to meet the sort of people that enhance your life, people with mutual interests or those whose company you will enjoy.  What can you build into your lifestyle which will increase the chances of widening your network of satisfying relationships?

You have the power to create the lifestyle you want for your retirement.  It will take time.  It will take commitment and communication.  But the security of knowing you have done all you can to ensure that the next phase of your life is rich and fulfilling makes it all worthwhile.

Continuous Care – A Great Place to Live

If you have a senior family member, or you are a senior family member yourself, it is only natural that you want the best health care possible. This is the case with continuous care. Seniors may find continuous care communities a great place to live once they’re retired from their jobs.

Seniors in continuous care are given the chance to continue with independent living as long as they are able to do so. They are also given the chance and the means to establish a community among themselves. This is a tremendous help, especially as seniors may later on find that their families and other acquaintances need to tend to their own lives. This provides the senior’s social lives with much-needed stability and security.

Housing, service and nursing care are provided for in these homes, and there is no need to move from one location to another. Seniors may also be happy to know that in some continuous care homes, things such as religious affinities and ethnicity are also taken into consideration. There are also some living facilities or continuous care communities that remain neutral, or are not affiliated with any religious or cultural groups at all.

There are a variety of services offered in continuous care communities. For instance, transportation and housekeeping may be provided. Special meals or diet plans can also be offered. There is also emergency help, and you’ll be glad to know that personal care is on stand-by should the senior citizen require them. There is also this so-called Assistance with Activities of Daily Living. Of course, recreational activities which can encourage members of the com

Texas Real Estate: Great Spot for Seniors and Retires

Texas is one of the most popular retirement states because many seniors prefer living in areas where the climate is warm. With their arthritis kicking in, elderly people prefer to settle down in places where they can relax under the sun. For those who are planning to invest in Texas Real Estate, particularly in retirement homes, the time is right for buying properties. It is important to note that the prices of retirement Properties in Texas and other states have fallen tremendously. But even if there is a chance that the prices might still contract in the future, the decline will not be that significant anymore.

Not all Texas real estate is a good investment for seniors. There will always be retirement homes and properties that are not properly maintained. Besides, homes that require down payment of less than USD 100 may be too good to be true. In reality, these homes have several problems which may include pest infestation, leaky roof, and back taxes. So the first thing you need to consider when buying a retirement home (or other types of property) is the location and not the price. Is the senior community that you are planning to invest in located near the city downtown or other venues of entertainment? Is it easily accessible by all forms of transportation?

Aside from location, you also need to check out the property itself and see how the community is run. There are many Texas real estate bargains nowadays, but you will end up spending more if the home you acquire is unlivable. Make sure to check the premises personally. See if the community is clean and well run. Ensure that there are plenty of activities for seniors. Also, have somebody who is knowledgeable about construction or home improvement to check the condition of the roofing, walls, electricity, water, drains and other important matters. Remember that there are so many homes to choose from. Hence, do not ever settle for something that is not in tiptop condition.

As more baby boomers are set to retire, there is actually a rise in the development of new retirement communities in Texas. So, if you are not keen on old Real Estate in Texas, you can always check out the new ones being built. With the decline in the prices of homes, you can surely find a bargain home even in new communities being developed for retirees. By the way, even if you are not yet a senior and you still have no plans of retiring, you can always make retirement homes as a viable investment. As mentioned earlier, more Americans are approaching retirement age, so you can always resell your Texas real estate later on.

I appreciate you as a client and a friend. I appreciate your business, your loyalty, trust and your referrals. It is my goal to provide the very best counsel, advice and service possible for your real estate needs. If I may ever be of assistance to you, a relative, friend or co-worker please don’t hesitate to call me. I look forward to the opportunity to serve you

Have questions, need advice you can count on or just want to discuss this further?
Don’t waste any more time; pick up the phone and call me now! I’m here to help!

Author: Herb C. Jahnke

Great Spot for Seniors and Retires

Texas is one of the most popular retirement states because many seniors prefer living in areas where the climate is warm. With their arthritis kicking in, elderly people prefer to settle down in places where they can relax under the sun. For those who are planning to invest in Texas Real Estate, particularly in retirement homes, the time is right for buying properties. It is important to note that the prices of retirement Properties in Texas and other states have fallen tremendously. But even if there is a chance that the prices might still contract in the future, the decline will not be that significant anymore.

Not all Texas real estate is a good investment for seniors. There will always be retirement homes and properties that are not properly maintained. Besides, homes that require down payment of less than USD 100 may be too good to be true. In reality, these homes have several problems which may include pest infestation, leaky roof, and back taxes. So the first thing you need to consider when buying a retirement home (or other types of property) is the location and not the price. Is the senior community that you are planning to invest in located near the city downtown or other venues of entertainment? Is it easily accessible by all forms of transportation?

Aside from location, you also need to check out the property itself and see how the community is run. There are many Texas real estate bargains nowadays, but you will end up spending more if the home you acquire is unlivable. Make sure to check the premises personally. See if the community is clean and well run. Ensure that there are plenty of activities for seniors. Also, have somebody who is knowledgeable about construction or home improvement to check the condition of the roofing, walls, electricity, water, drains and other important matters. Remember that there are so many homes to choose from. Hence, do not ever settle for something that is not in tiptop condition.

As more baby boomers are set to retire, there is actually a rise in the development of new retirement communities in Texas. So, if you are not keen on old Real Estate in Texas, you can always check out the new ones being built. With the decline in the prices of homes, you can surely find a bargain home even in new communities being developed for retirees. By the way, even if you are not yet a senior and you still have no plans of retiring, you can always make retirement homes as a viable investment. As mentioned earlier, more Americans are approaching retirement age, so you can always resell your Texas real estate later on.

Author: Aniruddha Badola

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