Thinking about downsizing or simplifying your lifestyle? The housing choices for buyers approaching retirement can be confusing at best. Seniors are fortunate to have so many choices today, but making the right choice for your lifestyle can be daunting. Here is some guidance as to the choices available and the pros and cons of each choice.

Senior housing options vary by what services the senior needs. The more active the person is the more choices available. Some of the more popular choices that a REALTOR can assist a buyer with include condominiums, town homes, patio homes, modular homes, and cluster homes. In many cities, a buyer can find condominiums or modular homes that have age restrictions that cater to senior buyers. Age restricted communities are attractive to seniors because the properties offer more amenities that appeal to seniors. Often there are community rooms or centers within the complex that offer a plethora of activities both within the complex and out in the surrounding community. Age restricted communities have policies regarding guests and family members living with the senior. It is important to check out the rules and regulations of an age restricted community to be sure you will be able to "live" with the restrictions. Security is usually emphasized with locked entry doors that can be accessed only with the homeowner buzzing the guest in and in many cases, the entrance to the community is gated allowing only those that know the code to enter.

Patio homes, town homes and cluster homes are also popular choices amongst seniors. Patio homes and cluster homes are separate dwellings but enjoy exterior maintenance such as lawn care and snow removal through homeowner associations. They have small yards surrounding the dwelling and the owner typically is responsible for the exterior maintenance of the home. Town homes have a small area outside that is typically enclosed and the homeowner association is responsible for the exterior maintenance of the home. Quite often, patio homes or town homes are located on a golf course or on the edge of a neighborhood of family homes. The senior is typically responsible for all interior maintenance when owning a town home, patio home or cluster home. Most patio homes, town homes, and cluster homes are part of a homeowners association and yet seldom have organized activities for socializing. If the community is not designed specifically for seniors, the buyer may run the risk of having lots of young people and children in the same building or community as they are residing. Very few properties, unless designed with the senior in mind, have elevators or ramps at front door or garage entries. Meal preparation and the normal tasks of cleaning and doing laundry are typically the responsibility of the owner.

When thinking about downsizing, make a list of your wants and needs and determine a realistic amount that you want to spend. Keep in mind that there could be fees for a homeowner's association that should be budgeted into your monthly expenses. Check into what the homeowner's association fee covers and how frequently the fee increases.

Once you have determined the properties that suit your needs best, call a senior real estate specialist (SRES) in your community to show you the properties available. If you are unaware of a senior real estate specialist in your area, go to www.sres.com to locate a senior real estate specialist near you. A SRES Realtor can provide guidance and make the prospect of downsizing a more enjoyable experience.