Retirement Living Options

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Retirement isn’t what it used to be. These days, rather than sitting back and watching the roses grow, more of us want to use the extra time, energy, and any cash released from the sale of a property to travel the world or fulfil some other lifelong ambition.

Today’s retirees want somewhere they can perhaps travel from and entertain. Health issues are still there but more people now stay fit for longer, have the spending power, and have the force of numbers to drive change. A whole new home market is growing up to meet their varied demands.

Ideally, the perfect "retirement" home is one that provides for the inevitabilities of ageing and accommodates changing needs. The closer the home matches your needs, the fewer chances are of a subsequent move.

Whether you decide to downsize to a smaller home or move to a retirement community, the advantages are obvious—smaller homes translate into lower costs and less maintenance. Retirement communities also ensure like-minded neighbours. The lifestyle decision is yours.

Moving can be an overwhelming experience both physically and emotionally, however, preparing yourself for your move can make all the difference in the world. Once you've determined that you're ready to take the plunge, there are many options available to you.

Before you make a decision about where to live in retirement you need to consider many factors: the daily lifestyle you want; proximity of children, or other relatives and friends; the type of climate you enjoy; and your health or medical needs. Ideally, you should consider these personal and lifestyle factors first. Then you need to face reality. What can you afford? Your choices may be limited to cost, however, if you have planned your retirement carefully, you should have enough funds to cover the monthly expenses for whatever retirement home you choose.

Should I continue to live in my current home after retirement?
Staying in your current home will probably be much more economical if the mortgage is already paid off. If you don’t own the house free and clear, you’ll need to figure out if your retirement income will be high enough for you to continue the payments.

If you want to continue living in your home—as most people do—you should evaluate whether it meets your current and future physical needs. If it requires repairs or remodelling, do you want to undertake these projects, and can you afford the cost? For example, if you or your spouse has a medical problem, you may need to consider constructing entrance or exit ramps, modifying stairways, installing railings, support bars, or other modifications to bathrooms, and grading the ground to provide access to the house.

If you decide that you should move, there are many options available:

Condos and apartments
A condominium lifestyle has been a favourite of empty nesters and retirees since its inception. Condominium apartments and townhomes are available in virtually every price range and neighbourhood. Some of the more upmarket developments have their own swimming pools, gymnasiums, tennis courts, and bowling greens. Others are set in the countryside, by lakes, or are even child-free for those who want peace and quiet.

Condo life has many advantages. In addition to being short on maintenance and long on amenities, condos offer more opportunities to socialize. You will meet neighbours in the halls, the lobby and the laundry room. Condo living is a good choice for low-key, sociable types who enjoy getting to know other residents.

On average, condos are much more affordable than houses, making them an excellent fit for individuals who want to lower or limit their housing costs. Clearly condos are the economical choice for retirees hoping to downsize.

Bungalow living
Bungalows provide empty nesters and retirees with the best of both worlds: the opportunity to own a house and a yard with minimal maintenance.

The "bungalow living" concept has surged in popularity in recent years, especially in smaller communities outside major centres. Many empty nesters and retirees are considering the sale of their larger, more expensive homes in the city to purchase less expensive bungalows in more rural areas.

Retirement communitiesRetirement communities offer retires the amenities often associated with condominium living, smaller homes and the opportunity to live with like-minded individuals.

Current day retirement communities are resort-like in nature. The focal point of these communities is the clubhouse, where a variety of amenities including fitness facilities, tennis courts, game rooms, swimming pools, and in some areas, golf courses are available. For the most part, they're built in rural areas that are close to large urban centres, but far enough away from the hustle and bustle of city living.

These communities are designed to help you with the assistance you need. For example, when you first move in, you may not need a large degree of care and supervision, but as time passes, your needs might increase. This is how retirement homes and communities operate today. They attempt to steer completely clear of the stereotypical convalescent or old folks home. Yet as you progress, should you get sick or need surgery, be assured that all necessary care will be there to assist you.

Giving up the home where you have lived for many years may seem frightening. Mentally, emotionally, and physically it is better to start to think and plan for such an eventuality before you are forced into somewhere you really don't want to be.

If you're uncertain about the alternatives available to you, you may want to speak to your Real Estate Agent. He or she can provide you with a free estimate of the value of your home and help you to determine what type of property will best suit your retirement lifestyle.

Home Energy Savings Ideas

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While we all use energy differently, in general, energy is mostly used for heating and cooling the home, with hot water coming in second.

Good energy habits help you save money and the way we use energy plays a big role in how much we’re paying for it. For example, if you leave the hot water running constantly while you’re shaving, you’re using a lot of hot water just to rinse the razor a few times.

Simple choices we make every day can go a long way to help us manage our energy use, cut costs and protect the environment around the year. Here are a few tips to help you conserve energy in your home.

1- Choose off-peak hours
Take advantage of lower energy prices during off-peak hours. Consider running your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer early in the morning, in the evening or on weekends when electricity rates are lowest.

2- Use the dishwasher and washer wiselyTry to cut down on power by air drying instead of using the heater. Try washing your clothes in cold water to save hot water costs.

3- Use a programmable thermostat to reduce energy useInstall a programmable thermostat to automate your heating and cooling. It makes it easier to reduce your energy use when you’re not home and when you’re sleeping.

4- Use your appliances properly
Did you know that an uncrowded fridge works more efficiently than a crowded one? However, a freezer works best when they are two-thirds full. When you’re using the dishwasher wait to do a full load. A half-empty dishwasher uses the same amount of energy as a full one.

5- Consider caulking and weather stripping
Plugging up air leaks is relatively inexpensive and delivers a great return summer and winter. Look for cracks around windows and doorframes. Also check the sill plate, where your home’s foundation meets the frame. It could be a big source of air leaks.

6- Find your top 10 locations for compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) bulbs
It pays to replace your most frequently used incandescent bulbs with CFLs. They use 75% less power and last up to 10 times longer.

7- Buy ENERGY STAR® Appliances
Save energy and fight climate change with ENERGY STAR qualified products. They use less energy, save money, and help protect the environment. According to ENERGY STAR, if just one in 10 homes used ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances, the impact could be compared to planting 1.7 million new acres of trees. Switching to these appliances is not only good for the environment but is easy on your pocketbook. Although these appliances may cost more, you can reduce your energy bill by approximately $80 per year.

The age, condition, and efficiency of your appliances play a big role in how much energy you use, so it’s important to keep them in good working order, and at some point, consider upgrading to the most energy-efficient models.

Spring Home Maintenance Checklist

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Keeping your home in top shape requires year-round care. While each season brings different tasks and challenges for homeowners, spring is an especially important time – it’s when to assess winter wear and prepare for summer.

Many big home repairs start out small but, left unattended, become more costly problems. By taking care of little issues now, you can save yourself a lot of money and stress in the long run. Keeping a list of what needs to be done, and when, can help you to avoid and prevent the most common household problems.

Many of the necessary tasks are probably easy enough for you to take care of yourself. However, if you don’t feel comfortable or don’t have the proper equipment, consider hiring a qualified contractor to help you.

Inspect the roof.  Shingles that curl (turn up) and claw (turn down) can make your roof inefficient and susceptible to leaking. Check around vents, skylights, and chimneys for leaks and repair as necessary.

Don’t forget to check your roof from the inside too. Look in the attic for any signs of moisture or surface discoloration on the underside of the roof that may point to leakage from above or air leaks coming from your house.

Repair leaks. Before rainy spring weather hits, check to make sure you don't have any leaks, especially in a basement or attic. Double-check your door and window seals, too, in case they might need a fresh coat of caulk or new weather-stripping.

Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won't clog them and be sure they drain away from the house. Drain outside faucets.

Chimneys. If you have a masonry chimney, check the joints between bricks or stones. Have any fallen out? Is there vegetation growing out of them? Each signals water infiltration. Also, look for efflorescence which is a white calcium-like deposit that indicates your masonry joints are no longer repelling water but absorbing it. Consider re-sealing masonry with clear, impermeable or water-resistant barrier material (like Thoroseal products). Brush it on, small areas at a time; let it absorb for 15 minutes, then reapply—it may need a couple of applications.

Clean siding with a pressure washer to keep mold from growing. Check all wood surfaces for weathering and paint failure. If the wood is showing through, sand the immediate area and apply a primer coat before painting. If the paint is peeling, scrape loose paint and sand smooth before painting. Replace rotted siding or trim.

Check foundation walls, floors, concrete, and masonry for cracking, heaving, or deterioration. If you see large cracks or a significant number of bricks losing their mortar, call a professional.
Inspect trees for broken branches. If the broken limb is high up, hire a licensed arborist. If you can reach it from the ground, take it down using the three-cut technique, which prevents bark from tearing and creating an open wound on the trunk.

Seal cracks on the driveway and paths before weeds take up residence. Home centers sell patching materials and fillers designed for asphalt and concrete surfaces.

Spring is also a great time to clean your windows, screens, and hardware and replace storm windows with screens. Check your screens for holes or tears first and repair or replace them if needed. Examine putty/caulk lines around exterior windows and doors and ensure weather stripping creates a good seal.

Check all decks, patios, porches, stairs, and railings for loose members and deterioration. Open decks and wood fences need to be treated every four to six years, depending on how much exposure they get to sun and rain. If the stain doesn't look like it should, or water has turned some of the wood a dark gray, hire a professional to treat your deck and fence.

Prune landscaping and create good drainage. Shrubs and landscaping help against soil erosion, but should be planted to form a negative grade, which means water will flow away from the house. You don't want growth up against the foundation of the home itself.

Inside the house:When it’s warm enough outside, turn off your gas fireplace pilot lights where possible.

Carry out the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance for your air conditioning system and ventilation equipment.  Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for cleaning instructions or hire a qualified contractor.

Check your smoke, carbon monoxide and security alarms and replace the batteries.
Reopen any valves for outside hose bibs that were shut off last fall.

What Does A Mortgage Deferral Mean?

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The Coronavirus crisis has left many homeowners in Canada without a job or with reduced hours and wondering how to pay their mortgage. Homeowners facing financial stress may be eligible for a mortgage payment deferral up to 6 months to help ease the financial burden.

The COVID-19 Mortgage Payment Deferral program will be ongoing. You can apply at any time during this outbreak.

What is mortgage payment deferral?Mortgage payment deferrals can help you during times of financial hardship — like unemployment or reduced employment due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The deferral is an agreement between you and your lender. Typically, the agreement indicates that you and your lender have agreed to pause or suspend your mortgage payments for a certain amount of time. It’s also known as a mortgage payment deferral agreement or mortgage forbearance agreement and it’s a temporary measure.

After the agreement ends, your mortgage payments return to normal and the missed payments — including principal and accumulated interest - repaid.

How mortgage payment deferrals can help you?A mortgage deferral helps you when you’re struggling to make your payments by allowing you to skip your mortgage payment for a specified amount of time.

Are the deferred payments erased or canceled?The mortgage deferral agreement does not cancel, erase or eliminate the amount owed on your mortgage. At the end of the agreement, you will have to resume payment according to your regular payment schedule.

NOTE: The interest that hasn’t been paid during the deferral period continues to be added to the outstanding principal of your mortgage. This can affect the total amount you owe in accordance with the original payment schedule.

Do I need to repay the deferred amounts?Yes, you’ll need to repay the amounts of the skipped payments including both principal and interest.

How do I repay the deferred amounts?Details of the repayment will vary according to the specific lender and situation.

The interest on your mortgage that hasn’t been paid during the deferral period continues to be added to the outstanding principal of your mortgage. When your payments start again, your mortgage payment might be based on the total amount you then owe to pay off your mortgage in accordance with the original payment schedule.

IMPORTANT: Mortgage payment deferrals focus solely on your mortgage. It won’t affect other payments regularly withdrawn, like property taxes and life/disability insurance.

How do I know if I am eligible for a mortgage payment deferral?Your lender — your bank or your mortgage professional — can tell you if you are eligible for a mortgage payment deferral.

Is CMHC helping with mortgage deferrals?Yes, with the COVID-19 outbreak, we are allowing lenders to offer deferred payments for insured mortgages.

All mortgage insurers offer a number of tools to lenders that can help you when you’re in financial difficulty and are struggling to meet your mortgage obligations.

What if my mortgage isn’t CMHC-insured?Any borrower facing financial difficulty should contact their lender — your bank or mortgage professional — to learn what options are available.

What are my options?The payment deferral is for people who will struggle to make their next mortgage payment. If you are in a position to make your payments, you should.

If — at any point in this crisis — you think you won’t be able to make your regular mortgage payment, it’s important for you to take quick action. Contact your bank or mortgage professional immediately before you miss a payment.

Source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

How is the COVID-19 Pandemic Affecting Real Estate Prices?

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The Canadian real estate market is adjusting to tightened restrictions on doing business as properties continue to swap hands in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Much of March’s activity began in the first two weeks of the month before the State of Emergency order was put into place. In fact, we had a head start on the spring market that was heating up earlier than expected, but activity seemed to fall off as physical distancing measures took effect. 

We’ll need more time to pass to fully understand the impact that the pandemic is having on the housing market.

Ontario - Strong Increase in Sales For March 2020 As a Whole

Toronto, 5 April 2020 - Toronto Regional Real Estate Board President Michael Collins announced that Greater Toronto Area REALTORS® reported 8,012 home sales through TRREB’s MLS® System in March 2020 – up by 12.3% compared to 7,132 sales reported in March 2019.

However, despite a strong increase in sales for March 2020 as a whole, there was a clear break in market activity between the pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 periods. For the purposes of this release, the start of the post-COVID-19 period was the week beginning Sunday, March 15.

• The overall March sales result was clearly driven by the first two weeks of the month. There were 4,643 sales reported in the pre-COVID-19 period, accounting for 58% of total transactions and representing a 49% increase compared to the first 14 days of March 2019.

• There were 3,369 sales reported during the post-COVID-period – down by 15.9% compared to the same period in March 2019.

For March as a whole, new listings were up by three% year-over-year to 14,424. However, similar to sales, new listings dropped on a year-over-year basis during the second half of the month (beginning March 15) by 18.4%.

The MLS® Home Price Index Composite Benchmark price was up by 11.1% year-over-year in March 2020. The average selling price for March 2020 as a whole was $902,680 – up 14.5% compared to March 2019. The average selling price for sales reported between March 15 and March 31, was $862,563 – down from the first half of March 2020, but still up by 10.5% compared to the same period last year.

Ottawa -- March Residential Resales Withstand Pressure of World Crisis

Ottawa, April 3, 2020 -- Members of the Ottawa Real Estate Board sold 1,525 residential properties in March through the Board’s Multiple Listing Service® System, compared with 1,507 in March 2019, an increase of only 1.2%. March’s sales included 1,170 in the residential-property class, up 3.3% from a year ago, and 355 in the condominium-property category, a decrease of 5.1% from March 2019. The five-year average for March unit sales is 1,465.

“Our results show that the Ottawa real estate market seems to have withstood the pressure of a worldwide economic event in March, however in context with our market’s performance up to this point, we can see the underlying effect. Before the pandemic, monthly unit sales were increasing between 10-16% from 2019, while March’s sales were just on par with a year ago. This is an indicator that there has been a slowdown in the real estate market due to COVID-19.” reports Deborah Burgoyne, Ottawa Real Estate Board President.

“Much of March’s activity likely began in the first two weeks of the month before the State of Emergency order was put into place. In fact, we had a head start on the spring market that was heating up earlier than expected, but activity seemed to fall off as physical distancing measures took effect,” she adds.

“Once the Ontario State of Emergency began, our Members and Brokerages rightly began to make all adjustments necessary for the health and wellbeing of our clients and customers. We welcomed the government’s declaration of real estate as an essential service so that transactions in progress could be completed. However, it was not and is not business as usual for our Members. They are heeding government and public health authority warnings and advice and are being diligent in taking extra safety precautions. All this, while still doing their best to help their clients successfully conclude or close real estate transactions that were already in progress,” Burgoyne acknowledges.

March’s average sale price for a condominium-class property was $369,311, an increase of 27.3% from this time last year while the average sale price of a residential-class property was $559,739, an increase of 16.5% from a year ago. Year to date figures show an 18.8% and a 23.2% increase in average sale prices for residential and condominiums, respectively.*

“Our Members are evolving and adapting their business practices by leveraging the use of technology with virtual tours, live streaming, social media, and becoming more creative in their methods to facilitate the needs of their clients who may need to buy or sell right now because of their circumstances.”

“However, for those buyers and sellers who are not in that urgent position, our Members recognize the health and safety of our community is paramount. They are consulting with these clients on a case by case basis and may advise that they should delay the listing of their home or purchase. They are doing what’s best for their clients in the context of government advisories,” affirms Burgoyne.

When asked about the impact of COVID-19 on the number of new listings on the market, Burgoyne speculates, “The shortage of inventory has driven down the number of new listings for the past several years, so we cannot accurately state that the decrease in March was due to COVID-19 where we saw 1,579 new residential listings and 469 for condos. The 5-year average is 2,217 and 665, respectively. I believe that April’s number will provide a truer and more legitimate reflection of the impact of Covid-19 on our local real estate market.”

“In closing, I would like to say that we are grateful to have been granted the essential service designation and are working closely with all levels of government and our provincial and national associations to ensure that we implement the necessary steps and protocols to flatten the curve and remain the trusted advisors that the public has come to expect from the REALTOR® profession.”

In addition to residential and condominium sales, OREB Members assisted clients with renting 746 properties since the beginning of the year compared to 550 at this time last year.

Britsh Colombia - Home Buyers and Sellers Adjust Their Activities in March Amid Challenging Circumstances.

VANCOUVER, April 2, 2020 – Metro Vancouver’s* housing market saw steady home buyer demand to begin March and a levelling off of activity as the month went on and concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak intensified. 

The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) reports that residential home sales in the region totalled 2,524 in March 2020, a 46.1% increase from the 1,727 sales recorded in March 2019, and a 17.4% increase from the 2,150 homes sold in February 2020. 

Last month’s sales were 19.9% below the 10-year March sales average. 

"The first two weeks of the month were the busiest days of the year for our region with heightened demand and multiple offers becoming more common. Like other aspects of our lives, this changed as concerns over the COVID-19 situation in our province grew." Said Ashley Smith, REBGV president.

Daily residential sales on the region’s MLS® were 138 on average in the first ten business days of the month. In the final ten business days of the month, the daily average declined to 93 sales. 

“Many of the sales recorded in March were in process before the provincial government declared a state of emergency. We’ll need more time to pass to fully understand the impact that the pandemic is having on the housing market,” Smith said. 

“In recent weeks, REALTORS® have been working to help and guide their clients through this uncertain period. Many people have understandably chosen to put their home buying or selling plans on hold for now. Other people have more urgent housing needs and we’re trying to work with them to address these needs in the safest and most responsible way possible.” 

There were 4,436 detached, attached and apartment properties newly listed for sale on the Multiple Listing Service® (MLS®) in Metro Vancouver in March 2020. This represents a 10.4% decrease compared to the 4,949 homes listed in March 2019 and a 10.8% increase compared to February 2020 when 4,002 homes were listed. 

The total number of homes currently listed for sale on the MLS® system in Metro Vancouver is 9,606, a 24.8% decrease compared to March 2019 (12,774) and a 4.5% increase compared to February 2020 (9,195).

“Realtors were named among the province’s list of essential services last week,” Smith said. “This means that we have a responsibility to do what we can to help residents meet their housing and shelter needs while strictly following the most up-to-date public health orders and physical distancing requirements from our health officials and government agencies.” 

Generally, analysts say downward pressure on home prices occurs when the ratio dips below 12% for a sustained period, while home prices often experience upward pressure when it surpasses 20% over several months. 

The MLS® Home Price Index composite benchmark price for all residential properties in Metro Vancouver is currently $1,033,700. This represents a 2.1% increase over March 2019, and a 1.3% increase compared to February 2020. 

Sales of detached homes in March 2020 reached 852, a 61.1% increase from the 529 detached sales recorded in March 2019. The benchmark price for detached properties is $1,450,700. This represents a 0.7% increase from March 2019, and a 1.2% increase compared to February 2020. 

Sales of apartment homes reached 1,179 in March 2020, a 35.1% increase compared to the 873 sales in March 2019. The benchmark price of an apartment property is $687,000. This represents a 2.9% increase from March 2019, and a 1.4% increase compared to February 2020.

Attached home sales in March 2020 totalled 493, a 51.7% increase compared to the 325 sales in March 2019. The benchmark price of an attached unit is $791,800. This represents a 2.5% increase from March 2019, and a 0.9% increase compared to February 2020.

Alberta -- COVID-19 Weighing on Housing Market

Edmonton, April 2, 2020 -- Total residential unit sales in the Edmonton Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) real estate market for March 2020 decreased 2.59% compared to March 2019 and increased 10.31% from February 2020. The number of new residential listings is down year over year, decreasing 14.01% from March 2019. New residential listings are up month over month, increasing 7.72% from February 2020. Overall inventory in the Edmonton CMA fell 12.66% from March of last year but increased 5.75% from February 2020.

For the month of March, single-family home unit sales are down 2.02% from March 2019 and up 13.59% from February 2020. Condo unit sales decreased by 2.04% from March 2019 and increased by 1.41% from February 2020.

All residential average prices are down to $343,951, a 3.78% decrease from March 2019, and down 1.97% from February 2020. Single-family homes sold for an average of $404,344, a 4.64% year-over-year decrease from March 2019, and a 5.13% decrease from February 2020. Condominiums sold for an average of $218,613, a 2.50% increase year-over-year, and prices are up 2.87% compared to February 2020. Duplex prices dropped 6.28% from March 2019, selling at $313,443, which was a 2.62% decrease from February 2020.

“The Edmonton market prices have declined in March and we saw a slight decrease in year-over-year unit sales,” says REALTORS® Association of Edmonton Chair Jennifer Lucas. “Of course, with the outbreak of a global pandemic and a hard hit to Alberta’s oil and gas sector, this type of market slowing is not surprising. There have been fewer sales of single-family homes, condos and duplexes than in March of last year. Single-family home pricing decreased 4.64%, duplexes are down 6.28%, and condos are up 2.50% year-over-year.”

Single-family homes averaged 54 days on the market, a six-day decrease from last year. Condos saw an eleven-day decrease at 66 days on the market while duplexes averaged 68 days on market, a three-day increase compared to March 2019. Overall, all residential listings averaged 60 days on market, a 9.09% decrease year-over-year, and decreased by fourteen days compared to the previous month.