Downsizing

How to downsize without leaving the suburb you love

If you find yourself rattling around in a home that now has too many rooms to clean, and you’d prefer to spend more time doing things you love rather than household chores, it might be time to downsize. Not only can downsizing your property simplify your lifestyle, it has the potential to free up some funds as well. If you manage your ‘empty nester’ status well, it can become a profitable nest egg! But downsizing to a smaller home can be a daunting process. You may not be ready for the close proximity of a retirement village, nor are you keen to leave the neighbourhood you love. You have great neighbours, you’re close to family, and you have all the amenities you want nearby, but your house just doesn’t suit your lifestyle anymore. So, what are your options? There are in fact a couple of great alternatives to packing up and leaving everything you’ve known behind: building a dual occupancy home or a knockdown rebuild on your existing block of land. What is a dual occupancy development? A dual occupancy home design, also known as a ‘duplex’ or ‘multi-dwelling’, can come in a variety of layouts: either two attached dwellings side by side, where both properties have street frontage, or one behind the other, where there’s a driveway down one side of the property. A dual occupancy home is a great consideration for those who: <ul> <li>Want to remain in the same area but don’t need as big a house.</li> <li>Want a low maintenance lifestyle.</li> <li>Have a large block in an area where land prices are increasing.</li> <li>Want to realise some of the equity in the land.</li> <li>Want to create an ongoing income stream through an investment property.</li> </ul> Unlocking wealth with a dual occupancy home design The Australian property boom has made many people many millions. But the fact is that the wealth lies in the land not in the dwellings themselves. Many people who have owned a slice of the Aussie Dream for more than 10-15 years are sitting on potential gold, however all their equity is tied up in the land beneath their house. For empty nesters that are ready to downsize, this offers enormous opportunity. It’s no surprise that dual occupancy house designs are increasing in popularity. There are a number of ways you can capitalise on this opportunity: <ul> <li>Live in one house and sell the other.</li> <li>Live in one house, then rent the other one. This provides a potential income stream and is particularly great if your property is in an area where rental supply is low.</li> <li>Sell both houses and live somewhere else. This option works well in areas where housing stock is low and demand is high – and when you’re prepared to find somewhere else to live!</li> </ul> There are some design limitations when it comes to building a dual occupancy home due to the somewhat restricted footprint, and a number of things to consider such as the size of your block, street frontage, driveways and council approvals. Thankfully however, experienced homebuilders such as Metricon have the expertise and know-how to provide you the guidance you need to make the most of your asset. Knockdown rebuild – build a brand-new home, wherever suits your lifestyle “Don’t move your life, improve your life!” is a fitting motto for those looking to take advantage of their great location by building a more suitable home for their life stage. If you really love where you live but your home just isn’t right for you any more, then there are two likely options: a renovation or a knockdown rebuild. A knockdown rebuild is especially a great option when you are looking to downsize – such as replacing your double storey home with a more suitable single storey option. Perhaps you are weighing up the option of moving but also hoping to build new. Let’s explore your options. To renovate or rebuild? Before jumping on the renovation bandwagon, assuming it is an easier option, there are a few factors to consider that may ultimately influence your decision. These can include: the extent of your renovation, the comparable costs between renovating and rebuilding, and the expected increase in value of your property. Other factors such as the condition of your home (some old homes can’t cope with structural changes), and ongoing expense (a new home is typically cheaper to maintain than an older home), may preclude you from renovating. Renovating can often result in unforeseen cost blowouts and uncover previously hidden or undiscovered faults. There’s also the hassle of shifting furniture, isolating rooms, living in only part of your home or moving out completely during the renovation. A knockdown rebuild however, may be easier and deliver a more satisfying result than you think: a brand-new home where everything is clean and reliable, in a floorplan that matches your desired lifestyle perfectly. Re-locating and building new If you’re looking for a complete lifestyle change when downsizing, perhaps weighing up the options of a sea or tree change, you can have the best of both worlds and build your dream home to perfectly suit your new location. Images: Getty

Downsizing

5 key things you need to consider before downsizing

Retirement is a time of change, and it can be a change of address too. Many pre-retirees consider making a sea change or a tree change and make the decision to move into a property that better meets their changing lifestyle needs. Often the move is out of a larger family home into a smaller house, an apartment, or a retirement village. Of course it doesn’t need to be a change of suburb, it might be something smaller in the same area. Like all decisions, your own goals about moving homes should be front and centre. There is a financial planning opportunity associated with a decision like this and it’s one that many Australians are making. It’s called the downsizing contribution strategy and it allows you to use superannuation to help you fund your retirement lifestyle using proceeds from the property sale. The good news is that you don’t have to use all of the proceeds from the sale of the family home into a superannuation downsizer contribution. You get to choose how much you’d like to contribute, up to $300,000 for singles and $300,000 each for couples. There are 5 key things you should consider before you make a decision to use the downsizing contribution strategy. 1. What type of property and which suburb will you downsize to? Many people approaching retirement don’t want to be rattling around in a larger family home. So if you do look for something smaller, what type of property and which suburb will you move to? Some key considerations may include: · Proximity to family and friends · The distance to essential services you use, shopping and medical services · Availability of public transport · Accessibility of lifestyle activities such as golf, tennis courts, swimming · The type of property itself, perhaps single level with no stairs Many city dwellers who choose the sea or tree change often take what they have for granted so if you’re moving to a region, make sure you do your homework to ensure you will have everything you need. 2. Check your eligibility to ensure this strategy is open to you In addition to finding your next home, you should also make sure you understand and follow the rules the government has set out about using the downsizer contribution strategy. There are always rules! Check the eligibility requirements to make sure it’s available to you, including completing the right paperwork at the right time. Originally this was only open to those aged 60 or over from 1 July 2022, however the government has now lowered the accessibility age to those aged 55 and over from 1 January 2023. Other conditions apply too so ensure you meet them to ensure you’re eligible for this financial planning strategy. 3. Make the most of your contribution options. The downsizer contribution allows an individual to make a $300,000 contribution to your super. And if you’re a couple, you each can make a $300,000 contribution. With the focus on getting money into your super to fund your retirement life, remember that you may also make a non-concessional contribution of up to $330,000 (total super balance permitting). This way you can maximise the base from which a tax free income stream may be commenced or equalise the value of accounts if one member is over the transfer balance cap. Remember that you can also make a downsizer contribution if you have reached your transfer balance cap of $1.7 million. 4. Ensure the strategy is considered with Centrelink. For many Australians, Centrelink provides an important source of income for their retirement and it makes sense to consider this strategy in the context of your eligibility for that income. The money you receive from the sale of your family home will be considered when determining your entitlements. Your new home however, the one you downsize to, becomes exempt once you have purchased it. This is because it becomes your primary residence. 5. Don’t forget about the other ways you can contribute to super. The downsizing contribution strategy is just one way you can contribute to super. There are other ways you can contribute too. An example is making a personal deductible contribution to super. Through this type of contribution, you make your contribution, and you claim a tax deduction when you get your tax return completed. Downsizer super contributions don’t allow you to claim a tax deduction. Make sure you consider all of your options when making super contributions and assess the pros and cons of each. There is a lot to consider when making the decision to downsize your family home and it’s not just about where you want to live next. The downsizer contribution strategy is a great way to get extra money from the sale of your family home to fund your retirement lifestyle. Make sure you understand your financial planning options though, before making a decision, to be more confident that you will achieve the outcomes that you’re seeking. No one likes surprises around unexpected outcomes, so do your homework and seek advice from a licensed financial planner if you need help. Luke Smith is a licensed Australian financial planner and author of the new book, Smart Money Strategy – Your Ultimate Guide to Financial Planning (Wiley, $34.95), published by Wiley. Luke is also the host of the popular podcast ‘The Strategy Stacker – Luke Talks Money’ and appears every Friday afternoon on Canberra’s 2CC. Found out more at <a href="http://www.thestrategystacker.com.au">www.thestrategystacker.com.au</a> Image credit: Getty

Downsizing

How to permanently holiday at home

Our homes are our havens, and living in a supportive community is more important now than it’s ever been. If you’ve dreamed of finding a ‘forever home’ and always been left feeling like there must be something better out there for you, then it’s time to try something different.Sabine, 63, lived in Western Sydney for years and didn’t know one single neighbour she could say hello to, let alone ask for a helping hand when she needed it.After relocating from the city to the coast and moving to <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sunnylake Shores</a> into an architecturally designed home a few years ago, her life has improved on every level – including her health.She finally decided to move to be closer to her mother and with the hope of improving her lifestyle. “It’s a lot better for me where I am living now,” she says. “I’m so much more relaxed. Here, you have a community, and everyone talks to each other. You’re involved, it’s as simple as that.”<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/01/DSC07129_O60.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3386b0d304334a40adce25e1c0b79f69" />It’s a happy story, and one which is heard again and again at <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores">Sunnylake </a><a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shores</a>. There is a welcome togetherness in being around others who are at a similar life stage. Instead of feeling a lack of connection surrounded by a younger crowd, you can be an integral part of a community where people look out for each other. It’s one of the main benefits of being a part of an over-55s lifestyle community.Living in a brand new air-conditioned, light and airy home means you feel comfortable. Being surrounded by likeminded people means you have someone to talk to and do something with. It’s about experiencing both fun and freedom every day. Most importantly, feeling like you belong and are in control of your life.<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/01/DSC04435_O60.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6318c9c703c74511b5c33917eaaeae77" />“We’re very happy here,” adds Lorraine cheerfully, from her home in <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ingenia Lifestyle’s Sunnylake Shores</a> community. She and partner John were on a road trip a few years ago from Sydney to their home in Brisbane, took one look at the location and decided: “This is where we’d like to be.”Thankfully their instinct was right. “We used to spend a lot of time away, travelling around Australia in our caravan to have a holiday. But what’s lovely here is that we can go for a short walk or drive and be at the lake or the beach.“Everything is on our doorstep. And because of the location of the village, we’ll never be built out either. There’s no way we’d move from here now.”The lifestyle on offer is hard to beat. There’s the option to be included in a variety of activities such as craft groups, shopping outings, trivia nights and activities such as Tai Chi. The Ingenia Activate program means it is your choice how social you are each week. There is always a range of events on offer to help you meet more people, stay active and pursue what interests you. Or if you prefer to sit under a tree and read a good book, then you can just lie back and enjoy the serenity of living life by the lake.There’s also a strong sense of safety and security, community facilities to enjoy with family and friends, and a pet-friendly environment. A dedicated onsite Community Manager is always on hand to assist wherever is needed.Of course, the financial benefits of investing into a land-lease model are huge. At Ingenia Lifestyle there is no stamp duty, no council rates and no exit fees or deferred management fees (DMF). Your home is an owned financial asset, and you keep 100 per cent of any capital gains. With a land-lease model, while you buy your home, you essentially lease the land for 90 years. The benefits are you have access to all the facilities on site which are managed by someone else. Everything to enjoy and nothing to worry about.<img src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/2022/01/Fishing_O60.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7d0b0548798f403992ef19d0f4db69e5" />At <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ingenia Lifestyle Sunnylake Shores</a> on the banks of Lake Munmorah, for example, there is a Community Clubhouse which features a billiard table, a library and a lounge area. If you have grandkids or visiting friends or family to entertain, there’s also an outdoor pool, casual BBQ and picnic areas, a boat ramp, jetty and even a playground.Can’t decide between living near the water or bushlands? At <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/communities/nsw/central-coast-nsw/sunnylake-shores" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ingenia Lifestyle Sunnylake Shores</a>, both the lake and the bush are right on your doorstep. Located between Newcastle and Sydney, both are just one hour away by car.Making a sea change and living waterfront is more attainable than you think.<div style="padding: 56.25% 0 0 0"></div> This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://ingenialifestyle.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ingenia Lifestyle</a>.

Downsizing

How to downsize without leaving your suburb

Image: Readers Digest The kids are long gone, you’re tired of never ending cleaning and expensive utility bills, and your large property is now more of a hindrance to your lifestyle. Whether you want to simplify your life or start a new stress-free phase, downsizing your space offers many benefits. The only problem is, when most of us think of downsizing, we think of leaving behind the family home and moving into a smaller place, which can often mean saying goodbye to friends and family. If that thought makes you anxious, don’t worry. Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to sell up and move out. If you want to stay put, in a home that better meets your lifestyle needs, here are two things to consider: Save stress with a knockdown rebuild If you love where you live, but you don’t want to have such a big space anymore, a knockdown rebuild is a great way to build a new home, without having to leave your comfort zone. With a knockdown rebuild you have a blank canvas to work with, so you can design a home that you love from scratch, choosing the size and style to suit your later years. One of the biggest benefits of a knockdown rebuild is that it may be a lot more cost effective than renovating. It can even be less time consuming, and less stressful! If you live on a large block that has the potential to subdivide, you can even knock down your current home, build a smaller one on part of the land, and sell off the other part. This might help you to recoup some of the costs of the rebuild as well. Split your home with dual occupancy If you’re living in an outdated home with plenty of yard space, a dual occupancy home could be the solution. Why not knock your home down and build two homes, live in one and rent out the other? By doing this, you’ll have less space to worry about, and you’ll also be receiving income for the other half of your property. This might also free up some of the equity you have in your current home, and there are a number of tax bonuses as well. If renting the other home isn’t your goal, you might choose to keep family members close, using the second dwelling for them. Many Dual occupancy homes also have the added benefit that if you do choose to sell at any point, you can sell them separately, which could double your sales income! Do your research and find out what’s possible on your block and keep an open mind. Talk to a professional builder and do what’s right for you, and your future. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with Metricon. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/home-tips/how-to-downsize-without-leaving-your-suburb">Reader’s Digest.</a> For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Downsizing

Tips to make the most of downsizing

If you’re struggling to justify “the empty nest” now that the kids have (finally) moved out, you may have considered downsizing. At least 1.6 million Australians feel the same way – up 30% from last year, <a rel="noopener" href="https://switzer.com.au/the-experts/peter-switzer/honey-ive-shrunk-the-family-home/" target="_blank">new research shows.</a> Downsizing is looking for a smaller, more manageable place. With a smaller square metre count comes other decisions – do you want to make a seachange? Treechange? Or swap the suburbs for something swankier in the inner city? Though selling your old three-bedroom in the suburban fringes may fetch a great price, will it be enough for something more upmarket? Can you get finance as a pensioner or self-funded retiree? Some of us want to downsize into something more accessible. As our mobility decreases, as much as we hate to admit it, climbing stairs just to get to bed becomes more and more of a pain. No matter what you’re looking for, here are some tips to make the most of your downsizing – so you can have as a hassle-free experience as you can. What’s your plan? Like all things in life, we all have to make plans. Where do you want to live? How many bedrooms is best? Do you want to be closer to the family or somewhere with great amenities such as doctors, shopping, gyms, and cafes? Do you want to join a retirement community for companionship and some form of managed service? This all has to factor into what you intend your life to look like as a retiree. Prepare for downsizing with decluttering Your home has accumulated a lot of memories over the years – <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.templeandwebster.com.au/style-and-advice/Peter-Walshs-5-best-decluttering-tips-E10085" target="_blank">and a lot of junk</a>. But, as the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If something sitting in the back cupboard has more than a fine coating of dust on it, it’s probably best to give it away or sell it. You should also have an impartial friend help with getting rid of your junk – so you can keep on task and be free of sentiment. You could even make a bit of money by selling some things on Gumtree or eBay – or hold a garage or yard sale. Downsizing may mean upgrading – your finance options If you’re looking at units, homes, and communities and balking at the prices of some of the properties on offer, you aren’t alone. It’s common to see that the sale of your home may not cover the purchase price of the smaller home in a more desirable location. Savvy Managing Director Bill Tsouvalas says retirees that intend to buy a home with high equity and a shorter loan term should <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.savvy.com.au/home-loans/compare-home-loans/" target="_blank">compare their available options</a> and may be able to gain access to the funds they require. “As long as a retiree passes the eligibility criteria, has some kind of income, and is prepared to decrease the loan term, they can get approval for a home loan for a downsized property. You may need to commit to an exit strategy such as lump sum repayments or ongoing income from superannuation to ensure the loan repayments are fulfilled.” Looking at government incentives The Federal Government offers seniors incentives to assist with downsizing. The major incentive revolves around superannuation contributions. People aged 65 or over can make an after-tax contribution of up to $300,000 into their super from the proceeds of selling their home. The voluntary contribution and $1.6 million balance rules are waived. However, the house must have been your principal residence for at least 10 years. Other states and territories also offer <a rel="noopener" href="https://nationalseniors.com.au/news/latest/stamp-duty-concessions-across-australia" target="_blank">stamp duty waivers for seniors</a> looking to downsize. Always get impartial advice Whether it comes to decluttering, finding a smaller place, or getting finance for your dream retirement home, you should always get impartial advice from accountants, lawyers, and home loan brokers. It can save you a lot of time and heartache. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.savvy.com.au/home-loans/compare-home-loans/" target="_blank">Savvy</a>.

Downsizing

Join the footloose retirees who are saving money for retirement AND exploring great lifestyle locations

In the space of just six years, NSW couple Vicki and Mark Rayner have been able to save money for their retirement and moved to three different lifestyle-rich locations - all thanks to the land lease living model. The Rayners are part of a growing group of footloose retirees who are exploring the new places and friendly faces which can be found across <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia’s 52 communities</a>. These homeowners are taking advantage of the significant financial benefits of land lease living, which includes being able to release equity from their family home and move without paying stamp duty or exit fees. These same financial benefits make it easy for homeowners to move to, and test out, some of Australia’s best known coastal holiday spots, where Hometown Australia communities are located. Read on to find out more. Rayners have moved three times in six years In 2015, Vicki and Mark Rayner sold their four bedroom house in Penrith and moved to Hometown Australia’s Valhalla community at Chain Valley Bay, on the foreshore of Lake Macquarie. “We loved the area as it was right on the lake and the brand new homes that were on offer were beautiful and were the right price,” Vicki said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841315/downsizing-article-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e2bf07a40b2943f594435163dffa9944" /> <div> <div style="text-align: center;">Vicki and Mark Rayner at their home at The Dunes in Sussex Inlet</div> </div> By moving to Valhalla, the Rayners were able to top-up their retirement funds, due to the significant price differential between their former house and their new and less expensive three-bedroom land lease home. After three years living at Chain Valley Bay, Vicki and Mark decided on a literal “sea change” to Hometown Australia’s Beachfront community Hallidays Point on the NSW Mid-North Coast. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841314/downsizing-article-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0449900849a24fb7ba79bb2056fd5bd9" /> <div> <div style="text-align: center;">Aerial photo of the Hometown Australia Beachfront community at Halliday's Point on the NSW Mid-North Coast</div> </div> “We came across the beachside properties up at the community at Hallidays Point and we loved the location,” Vicki said. “We were ready for a change and that’s one of the luxuries of land lease living. There were no exit fees, selling fees or stamp duty on our home so financially it was a good move too. “The move was easy. We put our home on the market with Hometown Australia, waited for a buyer and then everything fell into place. The whole process took three months.” When moving into Hallidays Point, Vicki and Mark downsized to a two-bed home with bigger living areas and a bigger backyard and were able to top up their equity again. At the end of 2020, Vicki and Mark moved to another Hometown Australia community, The Dunes at Sussex Inlet on the NSW South Coast. “We’ve always loved the South Coast but couldn’t find anything to buy when we first retired,” Vicki said. “We were down here at the end of last year and came across The Dunes community. It’s a lovely spot so we put our house on the market and here we are.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841313/downsizing-article-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/01236a1d3c7448189abe3673e6013547" /> <div> <div style="text-align: center;">Hometown Australia's Beachfront community at Halliday's Point includes a spacious pool and community centre</div> </div> “The mobility and flexibility of land lease living is absolutely a benefit. “It’s allowed us to move around and live in different areas in a cost-effective way. “Moving between Hometown Australia communities we’ve also had the benefit of knowing what to expect and have always been surrounded by like-minded people of a similar age with similar interests.” “We’ve made friends with many other couples and there’s always so much to get involved in. All locations have a community hall and offer a range of activities and social gatherings. On Australia Day there’s always a sausage sizzle and on Anzac day a small ceremony.” <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Find out more about Hometown Australia’s communities here</a> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841312/downsizing-article-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/a491f77d528c42e882c867d98ae472cb" /> <div style="text-align: center;">An interior photo of the community centre at Hometown Australia's Beachfront at Halliday's Point</div> Hometown Australia land lease living has also provided the Rayners with financial security. “We’ve been really happy with the return we’ve got when we’ve sold our homes,” Vicki said. “They’ve all gone up in value so, while you pay more for your next home, your current one has risen too. “We’ve always felt very secure and looked after as part of Hometown Australia communities. For us it’s been the best move we ever made.” About land lease living in a Hometown Australia community Some 10,000 residents currently live in Hometown Australia’s land lease communities, located across Queensland, NSW and South Australia. These communities are in attractive locations, including Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast regions, NSW’s Mid-North, North Coast and Port Stephens regions and South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841311/downsizing-article-5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/fd0684eb33ab4b0aa2aaf0035685fe99" /> <div> <div style="text-align: center;">Hometown Australia communities are located right across Australia, including the Sunshine Coast</div> </div> Most communities contain a range of resort-like features to keep residents active and socially connected, including pools, tennis courts, restaurants, community areas and bars. Residents in these communities purchase a dwelling and then benefit from a secure, long-term ground lease for this dwelling with Hometown Australia. The land lease living model provides many financial and lifestyle benefits. Firstly, Hometown community homes start at just $250,000, with most of these having two or three bedrooms, a study, and either 1.5 or two bathrooms. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7841310/downsizing-article-6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d47d86fcc3444129a5d00c15ad1dbd7d" /> <div style="text-align: center;">The Shore Break home design at Hometown Australia's The Dunes community at Sussex Inlet</div> The affordable price point of these homes allows many retirees to top up their retirement savings, after selling their family home and moving into a Hometown community. In addition, because no land is actually being purchased, buyers don’t have to pay stamp duty or ongoing council rates. This is a further saving of many thousands of dollars. In addition, there are no exit fees when you leave a Hometown Australia community. These two features make it easy for residents to move between communities and explore new locations. This compares to owners of general apartments or houses, who need to pay stamp duty every time they move, and residents of retirement villages and some other land lease operators, who need to pay exit fees when they move out. Finally, because of the ground lease arrangement, residents are often eligible to claim rent assistance via the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance/how-much-you-can-get#a1" target="_blank">Commonwealth Rent Assistance </a>scheme, to offset their monthly site fees. <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Find out more about Hometown Australia’s communities here.</a> This article is written in partnership with Hometown Australia.

Downsizing

Discover the new alternative to nursing homes which provides a kinder care solution for your parent

An innovative new care approach which is centred around delivering personalised solutions and choice is attracting interest from families who don’t want to see their loved ones move into a nursing home. The <a rel="noopener" href="https://ldk.com.au/aspire/" target="_blank">Aspire Aged Care</a> model is based at LDK’s six-hectare Greenway Views seniors living complex at Tuggeranong, Canberra. Stage one of Greenway Views was delivered at the end of 2019 and includes 210 apartments and a wide range of community facilities. Stage two is due to be completed later in 2021 and will include additional apartments and a beautiful new alfresco bar and entertainment area. <div> Aspire Aged Care is co-located within Greenway Views and has 117 beautifully appointed apartments providing the same level of care as a nursing home, but within the vibrant village community. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840132/downsizing_spon-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/3425911efdc34d8a9035c3a2a152f9bb" /> <div>Apartments at Aspire Aged Care have a modern and attractive interior design.</div> <div> Within Aspire Aged Care, residents live in their own homes and receive tailored care services from registered nurses and care staff, who are on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a different approach to that commonly found in nursing homes, in which residents are effectively seen as patients under medical care and therefore part of an institution. “Before we launched Aspire Aged Care, we conducted research to gauge what consumers were looking for,” LDK CEO Bryon Cannon said. “Not only did they want certainty and transparency when downsizing, they also didn’t want to go to a nursing home and wanted to stay at home for as long as possible. "The consumer has changed significantly in the last few decades, so what might have been acceptable for the consumer before might not be suitable for the baby boomers and their families of today.” Modern and spacious apartments and latest technology The modern and spacious studio and one-bedroom apartments in Aspire Aged Care feature their own kitchen, laundry and balcony, with residents having a key to their front door and plenty of space for their own treasured belongings. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840131/downsizing_spon-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2962e08a578f4db2a28aafdb8944b3d5" /> <div>The apartments at Aspire Aged Care include a kitchen, laundry and balcony</div> <div> In a move that has been very popular among residents, the apartments are also pet-friendly. Each well-appointed apartment provides privacy and views of the lush natural surroundings as well as access to all Greenway View’s onsite amenities and communal areas. This ensures residents and their families can enjoy the vibrancy of a village environment, while having immediate access to the highest quality of customised care. Innovative and unobtrusive technology is designed to provide peace of mind and a safe environment for residents and their families. </div> <div> Thoughtful design features include responsive circadian lighting to assist the wellbeing of dementia residents and passive sensor monitoring and emergency response systems for immediate assistance. Apart from the physical features, Aspire Aged Care residents and their families are also benefiting from LDK’s customer-centered values and the company’s commitment to staffing excellence. “Our staff must align to the company's culture of Love, Decency and Kindness, which makes up our LDK name,” Mr Cannon said. "We focus very heavily on culture. “We model our business on being a genuine people-first business. “We care for people, and our people care for people, so we need to invest a lot of time and resources into developing our workforce and have their values align to the values of the business, our purpose and our vision. “If we have an engaged workforce, we can deliver the best resident outcomes, and that's what we strive for." <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840134/downsizing_spon-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/5d5afb5e32f747e5b1f0152bc3b87fcf" /> Aspire Aged Care residents live in a village environment Aspire Aged Care offers all levels of care, including palliative and end of life care, dementia care and private respite care. It also includes a comprehensive activity and lifestyle program for residents. This is part of LDK’s “One Move Promise”, which effectively means residents won’t need to move outside of the village for care reasons. Testimonials for Aspire Aged Care Despite only opening in early 2020, resident and family testimonials are already rolling in for the Aspire Aged Care model. “I’ve had a bit of experience looking in nursing home as a legatee for the last 26 years, it wasn’t what I wanted for my wife,” said Jim Quick. “I saw the advertising for LDK and come over to look. “I was very impressed with the model, I was back within two days to pay a deposit. “We chose to come here for the care that’s available, which in seven months we have found to be faultless.” “We looked at a few nursing homes and retirement villages and were very discouraged by what we saw and what seemed to be available,” said Nancy Cogan. “One day I saw an advertisement in the paper for LDK, what popped out at me was the one move promise, that’s what brought us here.” “Since moving in there was an immediate increase in the care available for my husband.” Conclusion At LDK, we know every individual’s ageing journey is different. That’s why we partner with each resident to tailor a care plan to suit their individual needs, wishes and preferences. The Aspire Aged care offering is simple, providing services and support in the privacy and comfort of your own home, delivered with Love, Decency and Kindness. Find out more about <a rel="noopener" href="https://ldk.com.au/aspire/" target="_blank">Aspire Aged Care </a>here. <div>This article was made in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://ldk.com.au/aspire/" target="_blank">Aspire Aged Care</a>. </div> </div> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7840130/downsizing_spon-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ce749ca57d8147b9abe61a29d552d08f" /> <div>Interior photo of an Aspire Aged Care apartment</div> <div></div> </div> </div>

Downsizing

How to save up to $150,000 when downsizing into a new home in great lifestyle locations across Australia

Imagine being able to downsize into a new home for well under the full purchase price, allowing you to put away up to $150,000 into your retirement savings? This, in a nutshell, is how buyers are using the unique shared equity home purchase solution being offered by national over 50s lifestyle community operator Hampshire. The Hampshire Property Group is a family owned Australian company with 20 years’ experience in the retirement living industry. Its 17 communities are located in desirable coastal, regional and outer metropolitan areas across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hampshirevillages.com.au/retirement-villages/" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HAMPSHIRE'S 17 COMMUNITIES HERE</a> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839761/sponarticle10-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e02341c320e146c081d6b22b24470b91" /> Residents enjoy great facilities at Hampshire's communities, including this pool at Banksia Grove at Williamtown in NSW Hampshire has been offering its shared equity solution for the past 12 years. It allows incoming residents to purchase a new home for as little as 65 per cent of the set purchase price. OverSixty.com.au has spoken to a number of Hampshire community residents, and the company itself, to better understand the shared equity offer. Residents who’ve used shared equity In June 2020, Jim and Lorraine Mountford purchased a new two bedroom home at Hampshire’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hampshirevillages.com.au/rest-point-lifestyle-village-nowra/" target="_blank">Rest Point community at Nowra on the NSW South Coast</a>. However, instead of paying the full $360,000 purchase price, the Mountfords were able to take advantage of Hampshire’s shared equity offer and instead pay $252,000. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839760/sponarticle10-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/7c906b4b44f24185bce47c866c6a150a" /> <div style="text-align: center;">Lorraine and Jim Mountford (right) and Maria Zdjelar (left) at Rest Point village</div> This means the Mountfords own 70 per cent of the dwelling, with Hampshire retaining ownership of the remaining 30 per cent. Despite this proportional ownership, the Mountfords are able to enjoy all of Rest Point’s facilities and activities, including its swimming pool and community centre, just like residents who’ve paid full price. Mr Mountford told OverSixty.com.au that his wife and himself had moved from Dapto, in Wollongong’s southern suburbs. “We had a lovely four bedroom house, but it was too big for us and still had a mortgage on it,” Mr Mountford said. “We chose to retire to Rest Point, as it’s still close enough for the rest of our family to easily visit, but it’s also near hospitals and shopping and only 15 minutes from South Coast beaches. “We were very happy with the house we ended up buying at Rest Point. “However, if we’d paid the full purchase price, we would have also had to sell our last investment property, which provides an important rental return for us. “So by using the shared equity offer, we were able to move into the community and home we wanted, but still hold on to our investment property.” Meanwhile, fellow Rest Point resident Maria Zdjelar has used the shared equity home purchase solution on several occasions to help her with everyday living expenses. Ms Zdjelar first moved into Rest Point a decade ago. Since then, she’s moved home three times, each time making a shared equity purchase. By moving into smaller homes and by using the shared equity solution, Ms Zdjelar has been able to unlock retirement funds and also continue to live in the community, which she positively likens to being on a “permanent holiday”. Shared equity an affordable housing solution Hampshire Property Group CEO Frank Sharkey said the shared equity solution was an important tool which helped people to achieve their retirement dreams. “We often find potential buyers have been holidaying for many years in the areas where our communities are located, and they like the area and want to retire there,” Mr Sharkey said. “However, they’ve been unable to afford the full purchase price to move into a new home in one of our communities. This is particularly the case for people who’ve lived for many years in regional areas, where home prices are lower than in capital cities. “Shared equity provides a real affordable housing solution to these buyers. “In addition, we also find buyers who want to use shared equity to free up their retirement savings, so they can do things on their bucket list such as buy caravans and go on holidays, or to help children and grandchildren.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839759/sponarticle10-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/771b646091f349d99efb198ce8d620d2" /> <div style="text-align: center;">A new home with caravan parking at Hampshire's Casino Lifestyle Village in northern NSW</div> Mr Sharkey said new homes in Hampshire’s communities were generally worth between $280-380,000, although could reach up to $500,000. This means using shared equity can deliver a saving of up to $150,000. Importantly, Mr Sharkey said Hampshire didn’t offer “two-tiered pricing” - in other words the full price of dwellings was static and wasn’t influenced by whether it was purchased in full or via the shared equity pathway. Details about the scheme There are some terms and conditions which apply to shared equity offers. For instance, an opportunity fee applies to shared equity purchases. This fee is linked to the value of the home and the length of the stay, and is charged to compensate Hampshire for not receiving the full purchase price. In addition, the shared equity offer is primarily available for newly-built homes and owners are required to maintain, repair and insure the whole of the home. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hampshirevillages.com.au/affordable-retirement-homes/" target="_blank">Please enquire with Hampshire at this web page to learn about other conditions</a>. Mr Sharkey says that, after weighing up all the options, around one in five buyers take up the shared equity solution. Importantly, these buyers reap many of the other financial benefits of land lease living, including owning a dwelling but at the same time being able to avoid stamp duty and council rates and being able to claim government rent assistance (subject to eligibility). Hampshire is the only national land lease community operator currently offering a shared equity solution. <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.hampshirevillages.com.au/affordable-retirement-homes/" target="_blank" data-auth="NotApplicable">CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HAMPSHIRE'S COMMUNITIES AND ITS UNIQUE SHARED EQUITY SOLUTION</a> <div style="text-align: left;">Written by Mark Skelsey. </div> <div style="text-align: left;">This is a sponsored article in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hampshirevillages.com.au/" target="_blank">Hampshire Villages. </a></div> <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839758/sponarticle10-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0a794252eeec403b89899090fff0ed02" /> <div style="text-align: center;">A new home at Hampshire's Mudgee Lifestyle Village in regional NSW</div> <div style="text-align: left;"></div>

Downsizing

Why Victorian retirees are chasing the sun north to Queensland's Hervey Bay

With State borders once again open, there’s never been a better time for Victorians to enjoy a warmer climate and become part of a friendly community by moving north to Queensland’s stunning Hervey Bay. Why Hervey Bay? Located just a three-and-a-half hour drive or 40-minute flight from Brisbane, and with a population of around 50,000 people, Hervey Bay is renowned for its visiting humpback whales and pleasant climate. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839405/hervey-bay-is-known-as-a-whale-watching-mecca.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/1a61ad41a7f9404d926326585ac73922" /> <div style="text-align: center;">Hervey Bay is known as a whale watching mecca</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Hervey Bay boasts average high temperatures of 23 degrees, which compares very favourably to average August high temperatures of a chilly 16°C in Melbourne. Hervey Bay’s relaxed appeal and pleasant climate makes it a perfect year-round destination for swimming, sailing, fishing, yachting, waterskiing, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling and more. The township’s golden beaches stretch for about 14 kilometres, with the gorgeous calm waters sheltered from winds and swells by Fraser Island. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839404/hervey-bay-has-14km-of-stunning-beaches-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/37cacecda4db4a419e2a6fe2cd688146" /> <div style="text-align: center;">Hervey Bay has 14km of stunning beaches</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> The cosmopolitan and alfresco cafes on the main Esplanade running alongside the bay also add a further seaside charm. About the Fraser Shores retirement villages in Hervey Bay Many of Hervey Bay’s incoming residents are finding their way to the two conveniently located <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.frasershores.com.au/" target="_blank">Fraser Shores retirement villages.</a> Operated by Blue Care (a service group of UnitingCare Queensland), these two villages are collectively home to some 441 single-storey homes. Importantly, these villages are providing the social benefits and community interaction that research shows many over 50s are craving in the post-COVID-19 environment. Residents at the Fraser Shores retirement villages came together to have fun and support each other during the worst of COVID-19. This same great sense of community means it is easy for incoming residents to meet new friends and be part of an active and supportive network. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839403/the-fraser-shores-villages-have-a-great-community-spirit-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4565e66373aa4b4d937344c679290fb8" /> <div style="text-align: center;">The Fraser Shores villages have a great community spirit</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> A well-organised residents’ committee arranges functions and social activities, including outdoor and indoor bowls, pool and billiards, movie nights, tai chi, line dancing, yoga, arts and crafts, exercise and computer classes. Residents at the Fraser Shores villages can also receive individually tailored support and care for peace of mind from a range of Blue Care community services, if and when they need it. In addition, the homes at Fraser Shores are surrounded by amazing resort style facilities, giving residents unlimited use of the full-sized bowling green, swimming pool, community centre, licensed bar, fitness centre, craft and computer room, outdoor barbeque areas, libraries and so much more. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839402/enjoy-the-full-sized-bowling-green-at-fraser-shores.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/0cce54b726094314ab79aa779a2e7827" /> <div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the full-sized bowling green at Fraser Shores</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Room to move in the Fraser Shores homes COVID-19 has <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/news/787/Downsizing-no-more-Australian-over-50s-want-more-living-space-and-independence-due-to-COVID-19" target="_blank">accelerated</a> many over 50s housing trends already underway, including the desire for independent living and more personal space in or around the home. More than half of respondents to a survey of over 50s Australians say two or more bedrooms are essential, up from 48 per cent in a survey undertaken before the pandemic. At Fraser Shores, incoming residents can choose from a wide selection of spacious brick-and-tile, two- and three-bedroom homes – including an executive model with three bedrooms, two en-suites and a hobby room. Home prices range from $250,000 to $505,000. All designs offer careful orientation and large doors and windows for maximum cross-ventilation. This helps village residents take advantage of coastal breezes. All homes are built at ground level for easy access and feature spacious modern kitchens, bedrooms and living areas. Finally, each home is equipped with an emergency call system, which is monitored on-site 24 hours a day by trained staff with first aid certification. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839401/enjoy-a-dip-at-the-fraser-shores-swimming-pool.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/024a264bcaf449f28148d7de045f3580" /> <div style="text-align: center;">Enjoy a dip at the Fraser Shores swimming pool</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Your perfect grey nomad adventure starting point For the grey nomad brigade chasing fun, sun and adventure, the Fraser Shores villages represent the perfect home base. It’s an ideal starting point to explore the rest of Queensland’s coast and highly diverse inland environment. For instance, Bundaberg, home to the famous rum, sugar cane industry and the Mon Repos turtles, is little more than an hour's drive away. Maryborough, one of Queensland's most historic towns, is also a short trip, while further south, you can take in the natural beauty of the Great Sandy National Park with its massive dunes, wide ocean beaches and towering cliffs. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839400/the-great-sandy-national-park-is-a-fantastic-spot-for-grey-nomads-to-explore.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/9fb6f28f80bd4debb7c14058e118cbeb" /> <div style="text-align: center;">The Great Sandy National Park is a fantastic spot for grey nomads to explore</div> <div style="text-align: left;"> Fraser Shores residents can utilise onsite recreational vehicle, caravan and boat storage, while also knowing their home will be in a safe and secure environment when they leave to go on their travel adventures. The villages are also close to a commercial and professional centre, housing medical specialists, a large general medical practice and a wide variety of shops and services. The new state-of-the-art St Stephen’s Hospital is also just down the road. Conclusion Given the above, it’s no surprise that so many over 50s are making the move north to Queensland. In fact, during 2018-19, Queensland’s over 50 population swelled by 6,970 - more than any other State - thanks to interstate migration. At the same time, Victoria’s over 50 population dropped by 650 due to interstate migration. Fraser Shores Retirement Villages embody quality, resort-style living among a friendly and like-minded community, in an attractive coastal environment which is the envy of the rest of Australia. To make an inquiry about Fraser Shores, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.frasershores.com.au/" target="_blank">click here</a>. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839399/the-mini-golf-course-and-full-sized-bowling-green-at-fraser-shores.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/770aad7d1a1746aeb75ec801257f0d66" /> <div style="text-align: center;">The mini-golf course and full-sized bowling green at Fraser Shores</div> <div style="text-align: left;">This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.frasershores.com.au/" target="_blank">Fraser Shores. </a></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Downsizing

First tour of the stunning new downsizing project set around a historic mansion

The Rosemorran mansion is the centrepiece of a retirement living project on Sydney's upper north shore. Many of the grand homes which once lined the Pacific Highway north of Sydney have sadly since been demolished for redevelopment. This is hardly surprising, given these mansions are expensive to maintain due to their size and age and are sitting on large blocks which attract speculative developers. But one mansion still holds pride of place in this historic corridor. What’s more, this mansion is now emerging as the centrepiece of a luxury 33-dwelling retirement living project. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/premiere-projects" target="_blank">OverSixty.com.au</a> enjoyed a tour of the renovated mansion, and the new retirement living apartments behind it, ahead of the formal opening of the Rose by Moran project early in 2021. About Rose by Moran - and Rosemorran The <a rel="noopener" href="http://rosebymoran.com.au/" target="_blank">Rose by Moran project</a> is framed around Rosemorran, a Federation-era mansion which was thought to have been built around 1914. This locally listed heritage item, in the Sydney upper north shore suburb of Wahroonga, appears to have been used as a family home for most of its life, most recently by Marc and Lindy De Stoop who purchased it in 2003. At a time when many other stately homes along the Pacific Highway were being targeted for demolition and redevelopment, the De Stoops had a vision to retain and renovate the mansion and make it the centrepiece of a downsizing development. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839388/downsizing-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/4083640c48634f04a951438be4f04064" /> The music room inside the renovated Rosemorran mansion The good news is that the mansion’s renovation is now complete, meaning that for the first time since it was built the general public can get a glimpse of its stunning interior. The building is a veritable time capsule of the best of the Federation period. Upon entering the mansion, you’ll find a wide corridor, with a decorative archway and grand original cedar staircase. On the ground floor, visitors have the option to explore a library, music room, medical consulting room and hair salon, along with a staff office. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839387/downsizing-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/be1232720a46489d8ddd4e50101a29a6" /> The entry hallway to the Rosemorran mansion Behind these rooms, you’ll find a spacious dining and gathering area, known as the club room, alongside a communal kitchen which can be used by caterers or residents. It’s the perfect spot for resident events and celebratory group dinners. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839386/downsizing-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/90a3b79cb753407aabb518c6a43c27ae" /> The club room in the renovated Rosemorran mansion The mansion’s second storey includes two apartments, both with their own generous verandahs with original carved timber balustrades. Throughout the mansion, you’ll find soaring ceilings and original marble fireplaces, bay window seats, chandeliers, ceiling roses and stained glass windows. The port hole stained glass windows in particular add a sense of colour, whimsy and surprise as you turn corners and explore spaces. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839385/downsizing-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/878aa789142c4ea091c3571c6fd2b108" /> Some of the stunning stained glass windows you'll find in the Rosemorran mansion Despite the heat outside, the mansion itself is cool. This is hardly surprisingly, given that Federation homes - unlike the Victorian era homes before them - were specifically built to respond to the harsh Australian climate. This sense of calm and coolness is reinforced by the mansion’s interior design, which was overseen by Coco Republic and includes light, sympathetic colours, high-backed fabric sofas and ornate mirrors. Apartments and communal facilities built behind mansion The rear of the mansion opens out to the new two and three bedroom apartments and further communal facilities. This new section of the project is contained within a building up to five storeys high, which was being finalised at the time of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/premiere-projects" target="_blank">OverSixty.com.au</a>'s visit. These eye-opening contemporary communal spaces include a temperature-controlled wine cellar which can be used by all guests (including a tasting table) and a boutique cinema with ten generous and comfortable seats. Future residents will also be able to access a pool, spa, gym, sauna, men’s workshop and sport’s bar. The retirement village will be managed by Provectus Care, a company founded by Dr Shane Moran from the well-known Moran family (which has operated hospitals, aged care and seniors living facilities in Australia over the last 60 years). Dr Moran worked closely with the De Stoops to secure planning approval and turn the project’s vision to reality. Sally Taylor, who is the Rose by Moran project director within Provectus Care, said the spacious elements of the mansion have also underpinned the design philosophy of the new apartments. Our brand new apartments have been designed to provide a sense of light and spaciousness,” Ms Taylor said. "We’ve done this by ensuring they have high ceilings, large expanses of glass doors which lead out to external under-cover outdoor living areas, wide hallways and extensive storage. The apartments also feature fireplaces, quality Miele appliances, chef-style kitchens, engineered oak flooring throughout the living spaces and wool-carpeted bedrooms. All of these features serve to emphasise the premium, quality retirement living option we are providing as the benchmark in the upper north shore.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839384/downsizing-5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d3777af371854d4e9681e574c7d10408" /> Artist's impression of a completed new apartment at Rose by Moran Ms Taylor said the refurbished Rosemorran mansion was both a functional and sentimental drawcard for the village. The importance of the connection of our residents to the heritage mansion is paramount to their confidence and assurance in moving from their large family homes into a new, contemporary apartment,” Ms Taylor said. "Our residents have the opportunity to continue to utilise and enjoy large, grand spaces in the mansion without the maintenance and ongoing work required in keeping a large family home.” <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7839383/downsizing-6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/c8bc713916594426be08ea35ec589865" /> Artist's impression of an apartment at Rose by Moran <div class="track-link-news"> <div class="article-body"> Find out more There are still apartments available at the Rose by Moran project. It’s located just south of Wahroonga train station and shops, along with being around five minutes drive to Sydney Adventist Hospital, ten minutes drive to Westfield Hornsby and 38 minutes from the Sydney CBD. Available apartments range in prices from $900,000 to $2.1m, with a deferred management fee applying. Find out more at the <a rel="noopener" href="http://rosebymoran.com.au/" target="_blank">Rose by Moran website</a>. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="http://rosebymoran.com.au/" target="_blank">The Rose by Moran</a>. </div> </div>

Downsizing

Meet the downsizers flocking to Sydney’s surprise retirement hotspot

Sue Eaton moved to Sydney’s Thornton Park retirement living project to meet new friends and to feel a sense of belonging and community. And Lorraine and Robert Greig became Thornton Park residents after seeing the size and style of the project’s 48 newly-built apartments. These are just some of the residents who’ve moved into <a href="https://www.thorntonpark.com.au/">Southern Cross Care’s Thornton Park retirement living project at Penrith</a>, in Sydney’s west. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838731/downsizing-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/13f9c51f60b04ca0bf924ba301e5ca73" /> Sue Eaton has enjoyed the resident interaction since moving into Thornton Park Thornton Park is a small-scale independent retirement living project, featuring a mix of one, two and three bedroom apartments. The low-rise Thornton Park project is set on a quiet tree-lined street among modern family homes, yet at the same time is on the doorstep of the hustle and bustle of the Penrith CBD. While Thornton Park’s first residents have moved in, <a href="https://www.thorntonpark.com.au/">a limited number of apartments remain available for sale</a>. Meet the neighbours Sue Eaton watched Thornton Park being built, as her children live near the project. “I looked at a few places before I moved to Thornton Park, just to check out my options – but everything else was just like big blocks of units,” Ms Eaton said. “The apartments here are so nice – very spacious. Every time I walk inside I think, ‘I love my home.’ “The main benefit for me has been the interaction. "When we were in the middle of lockdowns due to the pandemic, I’d catch up with one of my neighbours – who’s become a good friend, and we’d take a couple of the older ladies for a walk, since their families couldn’t visit. "When I lived on my own I was much more isolated." Lorraine and Robert Greig had not considered retirement living, before they heard about Thornton Park. “We thought we’d be in our home until the end,” Ms Greig said. “That was until a friend of mine was going to Thornton Park to have a look and asked if we'd like to come with her. “As soon as I walked in and saw the bright, spacious apartments, I said to my husband, ‘I could live here.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838730/downsizing-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/8811303ad51249afb188f4f8fa452b6b" /> Lounge room of a new apartment at Thornton Park Ms Greig said she and her husband felt comfortable from the moment they moved in. “It wasn’t just the building itself, which is lovely – or the style and the size of our unit, which I love - It’s the social aspect as well,” Ms Greig said. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838729/downsizing-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/65f5a26be0074c82a2b2395c344af16d" /> Lorraine and Robert Greig were impressed with the spacious apartments at Thornton Park “It’s so nice knowing that as part of a community, we’ll always have someone to talk to. “It wasn’t like that at home, where things were much more quiet - the kids were working and we were often on our own. "One of the other things that really puts my mind at ease is that if Rob or I got sick, or our circumstances changed, there’s an aged care facility about two seconds away – it’s brand new and lovely." Penrith a downsizing hotspot Penrith, the suburb in which Thornton Park is located, is something of a surprise and growing downsizing hotspot. Penrith was the seventh most searched suburb in NSW on Downsizing.com.au in 2019-20, up from eighth position the year before. This makes Penrith more popular than other well-known coastal sea change and downsizing locations such as Wollongong, Ballina and Tweed Heads. There are good reasons why this is the case. Penrith is the gateway to the Blue Mountains, giving local residents easy access to a natural wonderland and a series of quaint mountain villages. Penrith is also home to the Nepean River, a regional aquatic playground. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838728/downsizing-4.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/24c3abbf42844d15b43686d3a6ab9a54" /> Penrith's Nepean River As part of the Great River Walk, almost eight kilometres of walking track have been created along the river, including resting points and lookouts where you can see birds and other wildlife. Penrith also has a growing arts and cultural scene, with the centrepiece being the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre. This regional facility has a 660 seat concert hall, 380 seat drama theatre, 100 seat multi-purpose hall and more than 25 purpose-built rooms for music classes. Penrith also has great shopping, a variety of award-winning cafes, restaurants, pubs and clubs and many other places to visit including the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Western Sydney University Observatory. Find out more at <a href="https://www.visitpenrith.com.au/">Visit Penrith</a>. About the apartments Thornton Park includes a range of spacious one, two and three-bedroom apartments. All apartments have a study nook or full study and include contemporary, open plan living spaces that lead onto generous balconies. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838727/downsizing-5.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f486ccd465494980a96a2616148296d9" /> Thornton Park apartment balcony area The apartments feature beautiful wood, stone and textured floor coverings, complemented by high‑end European fixtures and appliances. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838726/downsizing-6.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/2c04d86a69014305bcefc28d7e53e2ae" /> Kitchen, living and dining area in a Thornton Park apartment Thornton Park’s apartments are also cleverly designed with excellent soundproofing between rooms and apartments. Residents have access to a cafe serving coffee and light meals, along with a hairdressing and beauty salon, library, media room, multi-purpose community centre and a rooftop barbecue terrace and hobby garden. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838725/downsizing-7.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/953a166c248a4553897f87709563b158" /> Library at Thornton Park As an added benefit, Thornton Park provides retirement living residents with on-site concierge services and an hour of domestic assistance per fortnight. Optional home care services are also available. It’s also important to note that Thornton Park’s new independent living retirement village apartments are located alongside a new 100-suite state-of-the-art residential care home. This is particularly convenient when one partner needs to move into full-time care, while the other can continue to live independently in an adjacent retirement village apartment. Find out more Thornton Park is a relaxing retirement oasis that feels a world away, yet is within walking distance of all that a cosmopolitan centre like Penrith has to offer. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838724/downsizing-8.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6a487ed61e6543bf83233a48aca26f4b" /> This aerial photo was taken from the roof of Thornton Park and shows how it is close to everything Penrith has on offer Apartment prices start at $495,000, with a deferred management fee applying. For a limited time, buyers can also take advantage of an early bird offer, made up of a complimentary whitegoods package including a fridge, microwave, washing machine and dryer, valued at $4,300. This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thorntonpark.com.au/" target="_blank">Thornton Park.</a>

Downsizing

Huge drop in prostate cancer testing a big concern for Aussie men

Professor Tony Costello, a pioneer in mens prostate cancer treatment after performing the first open radical prostatectomy using robotic surgery in Australia in 2003, fears a dramatic increase in prostate cancer as testing levels bottom out with COVID-19 restrictions and delayed treatment. In the past six months PSA testing in Australia - a crucial marker for prostate cancer - has fallen dramatically by more than 15 percent, with a similar drop in the number of biopsies carried out compared to the same time period in 2019. Urologist Professor Tony Costello and Clinical Advisor of Maxwell Plus (maxwellplus.com) said many GPs are following current guidelines and not proactively discussing prostate cancer with patients, so many men are unaware they could be at risk. “Often doctors will only discuss prostate cancer when a patient specifically asks for testing and even then may advise against it - meaning too many Australian men are not being diagnosed with the fatal disease until it’s too late,” said Prof Costello. “If men have a blood test in their 40s to get a baseline PSA and then annually from the age of 50 they will have the best chance of detecting prostate cancer early,” he said. “Prostate cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Australian men, claiming nearly 3,500 lives last year, more than breast cancer, because of late diagnosis.” Maxwell Plus Founder and CEO Elliot Smith said doctors are embracing telehealth technology to help manage their patients’ risk of prostate cancer, especially during covid when people are reluctant to visit their GP unless it is an emergency. “We are also able to better serve rural and regional Australia - where men have a 21 percent higher mortality rate than men in capital cities.” “Ultimately, what we’re aiming to achieve is that every man who ends up with prostate cancer is diagnosed early enough that all options are in front of him, and men don’t need to go through unnecessary testing,” said Mr Smith.

Downsizing

Are you looking for love or friendship in an over 50s community?

The heart-warming story of two downsizers who fell in love and then started a new life together in a retirement village has prompted OverSixty.com.au and Downsizing.com.au to launch a survey about romance and friendship in over 50s communities. David and Anthea Yates, both in their early 70s, married in February 2020 and in the same month moved from their homes in the regional centre of Waikerie to Stockland Hillsview retirement village in Happy Valley, south of Adelaide. David and Anthea met around two years ago, after David - as a local men’s shed volunteer - helped Anthea move into her home at Waikerie. David had joined the men’s shed after the passing of his previous wife. “It blossomed into a love affair,” said David. The couple decided to get married, have their honeymoon and move into a retirement village - all in the same month. David and Anthea had several reasons to make their move, including to find better weather, be closer to family, meet new friends, reduce home maintenance and simply to leave the past behind. “We’ve both had heartaches during our lives and we needed to move away to be able to ease the hurt and the memories...not to completely forget but to ease the pain, and to start a new life together,” David said. For Anthea, it was important that she moved closer to her daughter and grandsons, and also meet new friends in a like-minded community. “I found that, in a small and very close community (such as Waikerie), and as someone who was a retiree who didn’t take children to school, that it was hard to meet people,” Anthea said. “I enjoy living here in the retirement village where everyone is in a similar age group and friendly.” Fill out our survey: OverSixty.com.au and Downsizing.com.au have <a href="https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2ZTNXG8">launched a survey on the subject</a>.

Downsizing

Future proof your home so you never have to move

Retirement is an ideal time to prepare for the next fulfilling season of our lives – and one of the most important decisions to make is whether to stay in the home you’ve grown to love, or move on. Don’t make that call until you’ve considered all the options. By Over60, in partnership with RESiLIFT Retirement is an ideal time to prepare for the next fulfilling season of our lives – and one of the most important decisions to make is whether to stay in the home you’ve grown to love, or move on. Don’t make that call until you’ve considered all the options. There are many factors that play into such a major life decision – proximity to the grandchildren, how connected you are to the local community, or even how physically challenging navigating a large house can become after a while. But one thing is for sure: you no longer have to leave your two-storey home just because of the stairs. That’s right; what may have been an insurmountable barrier for many of us a decade ago is no longer, thanks to <a href="http://www.resilift.com.au/">RESiLIFT</a>. RESiLIFT is a residential lift that can be easily installed into existing or new homes. The clever Australian design was the first of its type in the world, pioneering shaftless lifts. It allows people to live in the homes they love without breaking the bank or making a massive impact on their building structures. Louisa King, who works as an occupational therapist, says a person’s home is “often part of their identity” and making the right decision for their home is key. “Making a move is not an easy task,” she says. “Especially if you are downsizing or worse, moving when you are not well. There is only a limited window for people to make this decision. “Ideally in their 60s or early 70s, people weigh up their options and implement their decision before the task becomes too big and decisions are made for them.” As life goes on, it’s important for seniors to be adequately prepared for the future. Thankfully, taking precautions in your home and preparing for the future doesn’t mean you have to move to a smaller, one-storey property as staying in the home you love is now possible for an affordable price. Thanks to RESiLIFT, seniors are able to provide themselves with the best provisions for their future. Lyn from Gisborne, Victoria, could not have been more pleased with the timing of her RESiLIFT installation. “I broke my leg just before Christmas,” she says. “Having the lift was a God-send. On the other hand, my girlfriend broke her ankle very badly and had to have an ankle fusion. Their home has very steep stairs and no bathroom downstairs. Without a lift, it was a nightmare.” <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838019/resilift-1.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/6407b5b375e849d596086eb0f8895544" /> Created by Peter van Emmerik – when he himself was retired and in his mid-60s – RESiLIFT was conceived to be the first “through-floor” residential lift, and it allows people to live in the homes they love without breaking the bank or making a massive impact on their building structures. As many of us who are in retirement know full well, life does not slow down in the slightest – and Peter understood the importance of wanting to stay in your beloved residence without having to sacrifice comfort and safety, or cause a huge dent in life savings. Peter’s award-winning product means people are able to have a residential lift that carries them to where they need to go – whether that be from their lounge room to their front door or from their bedroom to the garage. Thanks to his incredible efforts, homeowners are able to have endless options. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838018/resilift-2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e8dc0bfaf8c64175b48a779a52779961" /> Tax agent George Dimitropoulos says he had a RESiLIFT installed in his parent’s home and was “pleasantly surprised by the price and the ease of getting the work done.” “Installing a lift is a justified financial decision,” he says. “The full cost of installing a RESiLIFT in my parents’ home, including building works, was $35,000 all up. If they were to have downsized, aside from the potential impact this can have on people’s pensions, the stamp duty alone is astronomical. “For a $700,000 value home you are looking at $37,000 in stamp duty – and for a million-dollar property the stamp duty is $55,000.” Quite apart from the financial benefits, installing a RESiLIFT is quick and easy, “with no loss of lifestyle,” adds George. “My parents did not have to move from the family home and experience the trauma associated with that process.” Peter says that designing RESiLIFT for retirees means they do not have to leave or sacrifice their house for safety and security. “I designed this lift so people could stay safely in the home they love,” he says. “It saves time, effort and money that would otherwise be wasted moving home. It also removes the emotional anguish of being uprooted from your family home.” RESiLIFT is a smart and affordable solution that doesn’t require seniors to make the jump from their beloved home to a smaller, one-floor property just because they are not as agile as they used to be. Jegi Jager, an architect for CPS Project Management, says retrofitting a lift into your home “really makes sense. This is the future. I would never build or plan a two-storey home without a lift.” RESiLIFT rolls affordability, safety and quality all into one, explains Jegi, adding that he was further encouraged to use RESiLIFT as it is a “genuine Australian product”. An investment into a RESiLIFT not only offers the comfort of moving about effortlessly within your own home, but allows for a future free of worry. It also gives the same peace of mind to anyone else who might take on your home one day, making it an affordable, Australian-designed and built asset that can only add to the value of your property. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7838017/resilift-3.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/e0d9e5b6dbde48cb945970696f7fb20d" /> “It’s such a relief!” says Margot Ling (pictured above) of her own RESiLIFT, which she had installed in her own house two years ago. “Now I know we can stay in our home! We love it!” To find out more about future-proofing your home with a RESiLIFT, visit <a href="http://www.resilift.com.au/">www.resilift.com.au</a> This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="http://www.resilift.com.au/">RESiLIFT</a>.

Downsizing

“Hunk of junk”: Mum’s overly honest caravan ad has internet in stitches

Glastonbury mum Katie Perkins has obviously had enough of the 27-year-old caravan taking up space on her property. So, in a fit of fury, she took to Facebook Marketplace to try and find a prospective buyer – but soon turned her post into an opportunity to vent a bit of pent-up rage at the “monstrosity” that had been plaguing her for so long. The UK woman was definitely a little too honest in her expletive-laden ad, and the post quickly went viral due to her astonishingly blunt descriptions. “It is a tin shed on wheels,” she wrote. “It is f***ing hot in the summer. It is f***ing freezing in the winter. It even grows icicles on the inside.” She adds that the oven and fridge are equally rubbish, but the microwave is “pretty decent.” “Get this hunk of junk off my f***ing land,” she pleads. “I’d love to say it’s beautiful, but I’d be lying. I’d love to say I loved living in it, but I’d be lying.” The listing has been shared more than 1,000 times and racked up hundreds of comments as people commended her for the refreshing honesty, calling it the “best ad ever”. Check out the images of the caravan in the gallery below, and here also is the full (slightly cleaned up) post in all its glory: “YES IT'S STILL AVAILABLE - I WILL. REMOVE ONCE IT HAS GONE. IT IS AN ANCIENT 27 YEAR OLD CARAVAN. 32FT x 10FT, 2 BED STATIC. IT HAS BEEN LIVED IN BY A FAMILY OF 7 (WE WERE A FAMILY OF 4 🤰⚠️) FOR 7 YEARS ONSITE WHILST BUILDING OUR DREAM HOME, WHICH TURNED INTO A F***ING NIGHTMARE. IT IS NOT PRISTINE. IT IS NOT PRETTY. IT IS A TIN SHED ON WHEELS. IT IS F***ING HOT IN THE SUMMER. IT IS F***ING FREEZING IN THE WINTER. IT EVEN GROWS ICICLES ON THE INSIDE. IT COULD DO WITH FULL REPLACEMENT OF CARPETS. IT NEEDS A GOOD BLEACH CLEAN THROUGHOUT. IT HAS A SHIT OVEN. IT HAS A SHIT HOB. IT HAS A SHIT FRIDGE. KIDS WERE POTTY TRAINED IN IT. DOG WAS POTTY TRAINED IN IT. IT HAS BEEN USED AS STORAGE FOR THE LAST 9 MONTHS. NEXT STOP THE F***ING CHICKENS ARE GOING IN IT. IT DOES HAVE A PRETTY DECENT MICROWAVE, ALBEIT CHEAP MORRISONS ONE. IT ALSO HAS EXTRAS! COUPLE OLD SHOES IN THE WARDROBE. ABSTRACT ART, ONE OF A KIND, COURTESY OF THE CHILDREN. OLD BOTTLES OF BOOZE UNDER THE SINK. PRETTY SURE THERE'S EVEN A SLOW COOKER THAT WAS ONLY USED ONCE? BEDS THAT HAVE BEEN DESTROYED AND I CANNOT BE F***ED TO REMOVE. I’M SURE IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT YOU CAN USE IT FOR SOMETHING, I DON'T GIVE A F**K WHAT. I WANT OFFERS.....I DON'T EXPECT ALOT BUT SOMETHING WOULD BE NICE. F**K IT - IF YOU TRUELY WANT THIS F***ING MONSTROSITY THEN I WILL TRADE IT FOR A COUPLE BOXES OF HUBBY'S FAVOURITE RED WINE - JAMMY RED ROO OR JAM SHED. GET THIS HUNK OF JUNK OFF MY F***ING LAND. I'D LOVE TO SAY IT'S F***ING BEAUTIFUL, BUT I'D BE LYING. I'D LOVE TO SAY I LOVED LIVING IN IT, BUT I'D BE LYING. I'D LOVE TO SAY I'D LOOK FORWARD TO A CARAVAN HOLIDAY, BUT GUESS WHAT...? I'D BE LYING.” … and if you’re still game to read the real thing, take a deep breath, be warned, and click <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/332595611252474/" target="_blank">here</a>. Images: Facebook Marketplace

Downsizing

Meet the couple who moved into a new retirement village apartment...without visiting it first

A decision by a NSW couple to buy a retirement village apartment - without physically inspecting it first - has illustrated how COVID-19 has transformed the downsizing real estate market. In late June 2020, John and Rosemary Gooch moved 500km from Mudgee in the NSW central-west to <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/property/sale/11035/queens-lake-retirement-village">Stockland Queens Lake</a> at Laurieton on the State’s mid-north coast. Although Ms Gooch knew the Laurieton area well, having previously lived near there, neither she or her husband had actually been inside their future one and half bedroom apartment. A Stockland salesperson gave the couple several online tours on her mobile phone, and also helped by taking measurements of key areas. “I’d looked at the apartment so many times (online), I knew it backwards,” Ms Gooch said. “I knew every room, every little bit, so we knew it was going to be good. “The sales person did a video of it, and walked us through, and we had a floor plan. Because we had seen it so much, we knew how beautiful it was. “When we actually arrived, it was actually better than what we thought. It is bigger than what we thought, it is a beautiful location and it’s quiet.” Dea Gardner, sales professional at Queens Lake Retirement Village, said it was important to make the customer feel comfortable and confident when making the big decision to move, especially when it comes to downsizing. “I just kept in regular contact and made sure I had a lot of information to help them (the Goochs) understand any concerns or questions they had,” Ms Gardner said. “I made myself available to them entirely, having several conversations on what from their furnishings would or wouldn’t fit, and happily took measurements for them so they knew as much information as possible before moving. I think this relieved a lot of their stresses.” The Goochs said they were happy to make the purchase after taking part in virtual tours, given this meant they avoided a 500km trip during a time of COVID-19 restrictions. The couple purchased the apartment for $245,000. More retirement living operators are turning to virtual tours and open days to market their properties, either in response to government restrictions or because potential buyers may be keen to avoid travelling. Downsizing.com.au has <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/news/739/New-online-events-promotion-is-the-key-to-sales-success-with-downsizers">launched a new initiative</a> which supports clients being able to showcase virtual tours and online events, along with traditional in-person events. Find out more information about the <a href="https://www.downsizing.com.au/property/sale/11035/queens-lake-retirement-village">Queens Lake retirement village here.</a>

Downsizing

“They’re not retirement villages”: How you can keep active and save money in a Hometown over 50s community

When Queensland couple Fiona and Rick Lodge made the decision to downsize earlier this year, they were keen to find a new home which would allow them to cherish the great outdoors and lead an active lifestyle. After all, Fiona, 62, and Rick, 74, love to spend time in the sun and be active and healthy. In fact, in the lead-up to a major event, this super-fit couple would be likely to cover nearly 400km in a single week, either through running, riding their bikes or swimming. Fiona and Rick have both run marathons and, in 2018, Fiona represented Australia in the 55-59 age group in the ITU World Championships Olympic Distance Triathlon. “All through our lives, we have always done some kind of physical activity,” Fiona said. “There wouldn’t be a day we don’t exercise.” “However, where we used to live in Brisbane, it got a bit boring running past houses and the local road system could be a bit dangerous and the environment not terribly healthy. “We wanted to find a new home and community where we could enjoy a great outdoor coastal environment, and also help financially set up our retirement.” Fiona and Rick moved into a Hometown Australia land lease community Fiona and Rick decided to shift to <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/qld/moreton-bay/orianna-sandstone-point/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia’s Orianna community</a> located at Sandstone Point in the Moreton Bay region, north of Brisbane. With its slow-paced coastal location, and an abundance of recreational facilities, Orianna is the perfect location for active and healthy over 50s. As Fiona points out: “It is close to the water and beach, with lots of great scenery, which is great for running and being outdoors.” Located just 100m from the edge of the Bribie Island Passage, Orianna has an outdoor fully heated pool and bowling green, along with a cinema, clubhouse, BBQ area, games room, gymnasium and wellness centre. Similar active lifestyle features are also available in many of the <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/communities" target="_blank">48 residential land lease communities operated by Hometown Australia</a> across Queensland, NSW and South Australia. Hometown land lease communities ideal for an active lifestyle Land lease communities are growing in popularity across Australia, in part because they are attracting active and younger downsizers. Unlike retirement villages laws in a number of States, you don’t actually need to be retired to enter a Hometown Australia land lease community. As a result, these communities are attracting an increasing number of people in their 50s and 60s who are either in the early stages of retirement, or transitioning to retirement. Some residents are actually still working part-time or full-time, while living in the community. Given the younger age profile, incoming residents tend to be more active than those in retirement villages. This helps create a more vibrant social and community atmosphere, where people are often out and about around the community. As Fiona says: “People have to look at these communities with an open mind, and not think of them as retirement villages. They are all new and modern, lots of facilities, and you don’t have to be in your 60s and 70s to move into them.” Hometown land lease communities help save you money Another reason that land lease communities attract younger downsizers is because they offer financial incentives which allow people to retire early. Under the land lease model, buyers purchase a dwelling and then benefit from a secure, long-term ground lease for this dwelling with Hometown Australia. Because no land is actually being purchased, buyers don’t have to pay stamp duty or ongoing council rates. For Fiona and Rick, this means they have avoided a $7,175 stamp duty bill and around $950 in annual council rates, which would have applied if they had bought a general home in the same area for the same amount. In addition, because of the ground lease arrangement, and because Rick is an aged pensioner, the couple are eligible to claim rent assistance via the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance/how-much-you-can-get#a1" target="_blank">Commonwealth Rent Assistance </a>scheme, to offset their monthly site fees. Hometown land lease communities have great and affordable homes Importantly, Hometown land lease communities also allow buyers to move into a range of attractive lifestyle-rich locations, at an affordable price. Many of these communities are located in some of Australia’s best-known coastal holiday spots, including Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast regions, NSW’s Mid-North, North Coast and Port Stephens regions and South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula. Hometown community homes start at just $250,000, with most of these having two or three bedrooms, a study, and either 1.5 or two bathrooms. Homes in Orianna start from $379,000 (for a two-bedroom home with ensuite). The affordable price point of these homes allows many retirees to top up their retirement savings, after selling their family home and moving into a Hometown community. “By moving here, we were able to shift to a great coastal area and into a new house, but still be able to put away something for our retirement,” Fiona said. “We had a look at other houses in the local area, when we were weighing everything up, but we generally found the other houses were more expensive and needed a lot of work, that would have taken money from us.” Fiona and Rick purchased a three bedroom, two bathroom home with a double garage and spacious indoor and outdoor living areas. The home also features ceiling fans and air conditioning. The Lodges use the backyard for regular Sunday get-togethers with other Orianna residents. “We liked the idea of downsizing into a standalone house and a yard, where you are part of a great community but still have your own privacy. It ticked all our boxes,” Fiona said. Find out more <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia’s new website</a> allows potential buyers to easily search communities across Australia and see what facilities and homes they offer. The details of the community manager are listed alongside each community, allowing you to easily find out more information. <ul> <li>SEE ALSO: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/downsizing/how-moving-into-a-land-lease-community-can-help-you-retire-early" target="_blank">How moving into a land lease community can help you retire early</a></li> <li>SEE ALSO: <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/property/downsizing/discover-the-resort-like-over-50s-communities-helping-australia-s-grey-nomads-get-back-on-the-road" target="_blank">Discover the resort-like over 50s communities helping Australia’s ‘grey nomads’ get back on the road</a></li> </ul> Written by Mark Skelsey, this sponsored article is produced in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia</a>.

Downsizing

Making the retirement dream a reality

A spacious and light-filled apartment – with a view into the treetops – has helped deliver the perfect retirement lifestyle for Joy and Greg Newling. Eighteen months ago, Joy and Greg made the decision to downsize into a newly-built retirement village apartment at <a href="https://www.uniting.org/services/retirement-and-independent-living/facility/uniting-bowden-brae-normanhurst?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bowdenbrae">Uniting Bowden Brae</a>. Apart from freeing up some capital for retirement, the couple also wanted to continue to live within northern Sydney and be able to entertain friends on a large balcony. The Uniting Bowden Brae project at Normanhurst caught their eye. They were shown through a three bedroom plus two bathroom apartment with generous ceiling heights and large living spaces. The couple particularly loved the view through the huge windows into the treetops of the project’s green space. Soon after, Joy and Greg, who are in their 70s, moved in. “The move out of our old home in Wahroonga also meant we could sell the lawnmower for good, which I loved,” Greg said. “And the best thing is that we still have our independence, while enjoying strong community connections and support here.” Additional homes under construction at Uniting Bowden Brae Joy and Greg bought into the first stage of <a href="https://www.uniting.org/services/retirement-and-independent-living/facility/uniting-bowden-brae-normanhurst?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bowdenbrae">Uniting Bowden Brae</a>. All 39 apartments in this stage have already been built, with only two remaining for sale. In addition, expressions of interest are now open for a further 101 apartments, which feature either two, two plus study or three bedrooms. These apartments, along with the project’s community facilities, are expected to be complete by mid-2021. Like the apartment purchased by the Newlings, these stage two apartments seek to provide generous living spaces, a flowing layout and high-quality finishes and appliances, including stone benchtops and a ceramic cooktop. Full-height glazed doors and windows are designed to bathe the homes in natural light, while the open plan living area and apartment courtyards and balconies will make it easy to entertain. Importantly, the apartments and the Uniting Bowden Brae project also include a range of features which will allow future residents to age-in-place. The apartments themselves will be constructed to be easily accessible by people with mobility limitations. For instance, the bathrooms will include zero-threshold shower recesses and a towel rack which doubles as a strong grab rail. A range of Uniting assisted living and home care services will be available to residents, including personal care, cleaning, gardening, transport and meal preparation. Uniting will also be able to help manage any clinical services residents may need, including nursing and allied health support. Finally, the new retirement village apartments will be located alongside an existing Uniting residential aged care facility, allowing apartment residents to move into this facility if their care needs change. Extensive community facilities allow residents to enjoy the great outdoors Meanwhile, the project’s extensive community facilities have been planned to encourage friendly interaction and healthy living. These facilities will include a café, gymnasium, indoor pool, library, consulting rooms, clubroom and communal dining and lounge areas. Residents will also be able to enjoy the project’s ‘Village Green’, a large landscaped area designed to link the apartments and community facilities and encourage community connection. Across the 1.38 hectare site, landscaped gardens will blend well-established trees with new plantings to provide a leafy canopy of shade. Residents can take full advantage of these shared spaces, without needing to maintain them. Two major hospitals are a stone’s throw from Uniting Bowden Brae, and there’s a large major supermarket just a 10-minute drive in either direction. Buses pass the village, and the railway station is less than a 10-minute walk away. The nearby suburb of Wahroonga boasts coffee shops and eateries, and all the essential services, such as banks, a post office and a railway station. Newlings look forward to more neighbours Joy and Greg Newling say they are looking forward to welcoming more residents into the Uniting Bowden Brae family. “We’ve met some fantastic neighbours here who share similar interests of ours, it’s really expanded our friendship circle in life moving here,” Greg says. The couple have always been active members of their local community, sitting on numerous committees over the years, and have already gained many friends at Uniting Bowden Brae. Joy didn’t hesitate to put up her hand to host a thankyou party when she stepped down as President of her local Rotary Club last year. More than 20 friends gathered in the living room of her new apartment to celebrate the occasion. “We opened up the big glass sliding doors onto the balcony so our friends could spill into our outdoor space,” Joy said. “We had people standing around here with drinks and finger food, it was great.” Making their own lifestyle decisions was important to the couple. Once they moved in, their son and daughter agreed that Joy and Greg had done the hard yards by taking matters into their own hands. “In some ways we felt too young for retirement living, but we also knew the time was right,” Greg said. “We had to make all the decisions on living arrangements for three of our parents, which wasn’t easy. The experience made us determined to make our own decisions that worked for us, and save our family from having to make those decisions.” Not one to rush their decision, they compared Uniting Bowden Brae with other properties on the market, including attending open homes, reading brochures and visiting other independent living villages. However, nothing compared to Uniting Bowden Brae, so they signed on the dotted line. The fact that the complex was run by Uniting sealed the deal. “We liked the attitude and knowledge of the sales staff that we met,” Greg said. Joy and Greg also take comfort in the fact that there’s a residential aged care facility on-site should they need it down the track. “Accessing this will be far easier from here than a private residence should the day come that we need it,” Greg said. With 100 years of experience providing accommodation and care for older Australians, you’re in expert hands with Uniting. For more information about the Uniting Bowden Brae, including to book a tour of our display apartment, please <a href="https://www.uniting.org/services/retirement-and-independent-living/facility/uniting-bowden-brae-normanhurst?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bowdenbrae">click here</a>. (Please note that a departure fee will apply when you leave the village) This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with <a href="https://www.uniting.org/services/retirement-and-independent-living/facility/uniting-bowden-brae-normanhurst?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=bowdenbrae">United Browden Brae</a>.

Downsizing

How moving into a land lease community can help you retire early

After working full-time since the age of 15, including two decades doing weekend and around-the-clock shift work, Geoff Ashton decided it was time for a change. “I was doing shift work seven days a week, at any time of day or night. I was about to turn 65, and the shift work was getting very difficult,” Geoff said. “What’s more, it was a pretty full-on job, and if something went wrong, it really went wrong. “I was keen to start thinking about life outside of work.” Benefits of moving into a residential land lease community For Geoff, a crucial part of making the transition to retirement involved moving into a <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia</a> residential land lease community at Port Stephens, in the NSW Lower Hunter region. In January 2020, Geoff and wife Deb moved into Hometown’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/nsw/port-stephens/sunrise-port-stephens/" target="_blank">Sunrise residential land lease community</a>, after selling their townhouse in nearby Nelson Bay. According to the couple, a key reason behind moving into Sunrise was that - unlike some retirement villages - it wasn’t strictly for retired people. This allows them to live at Sunrise while carrying out their transition to retirement plan, which involves working for at least two more years. Geoff has left his previous full-time job and is now working three days a week as a truck driver, while Deb works full-time in the disability care industry. Their <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/homes-for-sale/5686/seabreeze-" target="_blank">three-bedroom Seabreeze home</a> at Sunrise is also a key part of the transition planning. Compared to their former Nelson Bay townhouse, Geoff and Deb’s new home will provide more suitable accommodation as they get older. This is because it doesn’t have any internal stairs and is smaller and more manageable than the former townhouse. It also includes a dedicated office space, allowing Deb to occasionally work from home. Importantly, their new home also has a yard big enough for their two dogs, along with high-quality finishes and features including a covered outdoor entertaining area, walk-in wardrobes, stone kitchen benchtops and a double garage. As Sunrise community residents, Geoff and Deb also have access to fantastic and relaxing communal facilities including two new swimming pools, tennis and pickleball courts and a clubhouse, bowling green, community bus, cinema and library. “The whole reason we moved in here was so I could give up full-time work,” Geoff said. “For anybody that has full-time employment in our age group and wants to switch to work part-time, I fully recommend moving into a community like this. “In future years, we’re also hoping to do a bit of travel, and here at Sunrise we can park our camper in the hardstand area, which is another big advantage.” More Australians than ever before transitioning to retirement There are a number of major trends underway, which means more Australians than ever before are moving into Hometown Australia’s residential land lease communities, to allow them to either retire early, or to transition to retirement. For instance, due to the COVID-19 economic impacts, around 102,000 Australians aged 50-64 and a further 54,000 aged over 65 fell out of employment between February and May 2020. It’s predicted that a significant proportion of these people may have difficulty finding new work and may need to retire early. Already some 21 per cent of Australians who retire are forced into this situation <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6238.0" target="_blank">because of sickness or injury</a>, and a further 11 per cent because they were retrenched. What’s more, an increasing number of Australians in their 50s and 60s are also voluntarily moving from full-time to part-time work, as part of their retirement planning. Between 2005 and 2020, the number of people working part-time in the 55-64 age group jumped by 74 per cent, and by 249 per cent in the 65 plus age group. This compares with a part-time work growth rate of 43 per cent across all age groups during the same period. Many people in the above scenarios are - like Geoff and Deb - looking for the right sort of accommodation which helps meet their new circumstances. Hometown land lease communities the perfect transition to retirement option Hometown Australia operates just under 50 residential land lease communities containing around 10,000 residents across Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia. According to Hometown Australia joint managing director and chief operating officer Stuart Strong, an increasing number of people entering his company’s communities are in the pre-retirement or early retirement phase. “The financial benefits of our residential land lease living model - along with the great lifestyle we offer - is very attractive to people in their 50s and 60s who are weighing up their retirement options,” Mr Strong said. Mr Strong said that, more often than not, people moving into a Hometown Australia community were able to top-up their retirement income, as the price of homes was usually below the median house price in the surrounding area. Mr Strong also said that residents in his communities didn’t have to pay stamp duty, nor council rates or exit fees, and retained their home’s capital gain. “This means a person looking to retire early can do so without the significant incoming and outgoing costs which apply to other over 50s housing models,” he said. Furthermore, once a Hometown Australia community resident reaches the pension age, or already claims a disability pension, it is possible they can also claim <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/rent-assistance" target="_blank">Commonwealth rental assistance</a> (which is up to $139 a fortnight per couple). This comes about because land lease living residents own their home and then secure a long-term lease on the land on which the home is located. (For instance, weekly site fees are around $175 a week at Sunrise). Mr Strong also pointed out that Hometown Australia community homes are designed to allow people to work or study from home, and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He said that the vast majority of new Hometown Australia community homes include multi-purpose rooms, which can be used as a study. “Most communities also contain a range of features to keep residents active and fit, including pools and tennis courts,” Mr Strong said. “If you are wondering if you can retire early, or have been forced to retire early, or want to ease your way into retirement, then think about our communities. “People in the above scenarios might be pleasantly surprised to find that they can achieve a very happy housing and lifestyle solution, and find great new friends along the way.” About Hometown Australia To learn more about Hometown Australia and its 48 communities across Australia, go to <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">www.hometownaustralia.com.au</a> This is a sponsored article written in partnership with <a rel="noopener" href="https://hometownaustralia.com.au/" target="_blank">Hometown Australia</a>.

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