Top Vero Beach FL Real Estate Agent Karen Mathers Shares Tips for Choosing a Retirement Community

Vero Beach FL: Top Vero Beach real estate agent Karen Mathers recently shared some tips for choosing a retirement community in Vero Beach FL. Since she started her career in real estate, Karen has helped hundreds of clients find their dream home from the wide array of retirement communities in the city.

Vero Beach FL offers a unique living environment, making it a great option not only for retirees but for homebuyers of all ages. The retirement communities in Vero Beach are designed for independent living, making them perfect for people who want to downsize and live a more maintenance-free lifestyle.

As an agent, Karen understands that deciding to move to a retirement community is not easy. “Moving is always a challenge and making such a serious change comes with unique challenges and pitfalls. Before you get too excited with the idea of living a more maintenance-free lifestyle, you need to be aware of certain red flags,” she said.

In her blog, Karen cited Community Development District (CDD) fees, land lease and HOA restrictions as three of the most important things that homebuyers should carefully look into when evaluating a retirement community. Since moving to a retirement community is both a life-changing decision and a huge financial commitment, she advised homebuyers to consider these factors before diving into the home buying process.

Talking about CDD fees, Karen said homebuyers should first ask how much the CDD fees in the community cost and how long they have to pay them. “Most of the time, CDD fees do not get paid off for 20 to 30 years. If you are paying $1,000 a year for a 20-year CDD assessment, then you are paying $20,000 extra for your home,” she explained.

Karen also discussed the risks when choosing a retirement community that features manufactured homes, saying that living in such a community puts the homeowner in a position where he owns his home but not the land on which it sits. This means that on top of the actual amount of the home, the homeowner also needs to pay monthly rent for the land where his home is built.

Towards the end of her blog, Karen advised homebuyers to ensure that the HOA restrictions of a retirement community fit their lifestyle. According to her, every community has a set of rules that residents must follow. Before deciding to move to a retirement community, one has to know if he is fine with these rules; otherwise, it is best if he looks for a different retirement community to buy a home.

Karen has been a long-time resident of Vero Beach FL. Having been in the real estate business for years, she has her fingers on the pulse of the Vero Beach market. A licensed real estate agent, Karen is committed to helping her clients make the right choices when buying or selling homes in the area and ensuring that she deals with them in the most professional way she can.

Pat Franks, Karen’s client, wrote in her review, “Karen Mathers was an excellent realtor for our recent move to Vero Beach. We took four months of her time while she patiently showed us the whole area with a variety of properties. She was so responsive with all concerns. We’ve made about 13 previous moves and her expertise made for a very positive experience.” Another client, Callie Biaggi, also wrote, “Karen is the best in the real estate business. Not only is she knowledgeable regarding the community, she is attentive and listens carefully to the client. Her recommendations were excellent and reflected our particular interests and requirements.”

For those who are looking for their dream retirement home in Vero Beach FL, don’t look too far. Call Karen Mathers at 772-532-3221 or visit her website at www.verobeach55plushomesforsale.com and get started with the home buying process today.

About Karen Mathers:

Karen has been in the business of helping real estate buyers and sellers for 22 years. She previously served as a director for the local Realtor association, Chairman of the Education Committee and the MLS Committee. Currently, she is an active member of the Florida Association of Realtors, Realtor Association of Palm Beaches, Realtor Association of Indian River County and the National Association of Realtors.