Baby Boomers Beware

If you're considering retiring in the next decade you're not alone. There are over 9.8 million Baby Boomers in California. The ages of Baby Boomers range from 46 on the low end to 64 on the high end, which means we are just beginning to see the first wave of Baby Boomer retirement. If you're considering retiring and moving to Northern California in the next few years, you'd be wise to begin making plans now because you're not alone.

In Redding we've already begun to meet clients from the Bay Area and Southern California who are several years away from retirement, but already securing homes and investment properties in the area. If you're in a similar situation, feel free to contact me to discuss your options. I specialize in finding creative solutions to help you get a foothold in Northern California real estate now, even if you have 1-5 years until you can sell your home in the Bay Area or Southern California.

A few of the most basic options I suggest to my clients are:

1. Buy an improved lot. A lot in a subdivision is a great hedge bet against appreciation. In the last market cycle the cost of land has far outpaced any increases in labor or material cost. If this trend continues, you could build on your lot in the future at a cost far below the future market value of the home.
2. If you're within 8-12 months of retirement, you can put a down payment on a new home under construction in a subdivision. In the past, I've had clients who have made considerable appreciation before they've even closed their escrows.
3. Buy your home now and hold it as a rental until retirement. With a reasonable down-payment, many homes will now "cashflow" with a good tenant in place.

Again, these are the most basic solutions for future retirees. If you're retiring in the next 1-5 years, feel free to contact me to discuss additional options which might work for your situation.

My Commitment to You… And Your Commitment to Me I strive to give me clients the best service possible. As I mentioned earlier, in this market, it's sometimes survival of the fastest. When a hot property hits the market, the first good offer on the table is often the offer that gets accepted. This means that I have to watch the market constantly for new properties and notify my clients as soon as I see something that matches their needs. Since many out of the area clients can only look at properties on the weekends, I do make myself available seven days a week to show property. What I do expect in return is a solid commitment from my clients that I will be their agent of choice and the only agent they work with in Shasta County. With a committed client, I can devote all of my time, energy and expertise to find the perfect home or investment property.