Retirement Info and Advice
South African Background
Category: Retirement Guide
In South Africa we are fortunate in that there are over 1 000 retirement communities countrywide, ranging from very modest to very luxurious, giving a potential buyer the opportunity to make an appropriate choice. Retirement complexes are a relatively new concept in this country. Previously, elderly people spent their retirement years in: * Old age ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Retirement Places Guide - How The Concept Was Started
Category: Retirement Guide
The concept was started by Lesley McAlpine who trained as a nursing sisiter at Addington Hospital in Durban.After working in various hospitals in South Africa and overseas, she returned home and made a career switch from nursing sister to estate agent. She began specialising in selling retirement homes in 1998 and soon realised, to her ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Types of Retirement Sales
Category: Retirement Guide
Retirement villages are aimed at those who either own existing homes or have other funds to finance the purchase. Remember, the purchase is usually on a cash basis as the banks are reluctant to provide bonds to anyone over 60 years of age. When you buy into a retirement scheme the legal method of ownership ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Reasons for moving into a retirement community
Category: Retirement Guide
As we grow older buying a retirement home can be one of the most important decisions we ever make. It should be a step that assures us of contentment and dignity in the years ahead. The 'Golden Years' should be just that, years of enjoying the rewards of a lifetime of hard work. This is ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
A few don’ts
Category: Retirement Guide
The following are a few words of warning as you go through the decisions and process of moving: Granny Flats Think twice before investing money in a granny flat on someone else's property, as you will have no legal claim if the property is sold and you could lose everything. Also, it is not always ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
First steps
Category: Retirement Guide
To ensure that you choose the retirement complex that suits your requirements and your lifestyle it's wise to follow some basic guidelines: Work out your finances very carefully. As a rough guide, after you have paid for your retirement home, your after tax monthly income should be four times the levy, after all deductions, including ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Accommodation
Category: Retirement Guide
Accommodation varies tremendously from area to area but the same real estate rules apply… the more upmarket the area, the more expensive the complex. Remember that land is costly, so cottages with gardens tend to be in the suburbs or further away from towns, so don't try to find a cottage at a reasonable price ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Selling Your Property
Category: Retirement Guide
You've made your decision, and you've bought your retirement home. Now what? Sell privately, or go through an agent? You are feeling overwhelmed by the thought of packing, worried in case you've decided on the wrong place, unsure of how to go about selling your home. Decisions… and more decisions! Remember, property prices are seldom ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Your new neighbourhood
Category: Retirement Guide
"The art of life lies in a constant re-adjustment to our surroundings” Okakura Kakuzo Although you will initially be busy organising your new home, it is important to start finding your way about your new neighbourhood and becoming a part of the community. Ask questions, and you will find that people will be only too ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Case studies
Category: Retirement Guide
1. Mr and Mrs B. are in their 80’s; they lived in a flat on the 2nd floor, with no lift. In spite of entreaties from their family who were emigrating, they refused to leave their home. The family had no sooner left than Mr B. had a major stroke, with speech loss and partial ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
Conclusion
Category: Retirement Guide
Please remember that this is just a guide to buying a retirement property. Hopefully, you started making financial provisions for your retirement years a longtime ago. If you've neglected to do this, then you need urgent assistance from someone who is experienced in this field. This is not a good time to accept advice from ... more
Submitted: 24 Jun 2008 | Source: The Guide to Retirement Places
