By Brian Burger 

Our homes are our cocoons, safe havens, retreats and cozy nests. Nothing feels better than home, especially during challenging times. 

However, mixed in with the struggles of the past 15 months is a silver lining — an opportunity for retirees to cash in on their homes and move to a trusted, maintenance-free senior living community.

Now that the nation is opening up again, many people are looking to make the move. This has exacerbated an already tight marketplace, making this season an optimal time to sell. At St. Ann’s Community, we’re meeting more and more seniors who are taking advantage of this opportunity to receive the most money possible.

What are my first steps?

If you’re considering a senior living community, the best first step that you can take is to start making phone calls. Talk through the move-in process, the amenities and the community. Then, schedule a time to tour the space and see it for yourself. It’s important to make sure that the community you move to is the right fit for you. 

Don’t rush it. 

Additionally, at each place you visit, don’t be afraid to ask what happens if you start to need health care services. Can you receive them in your apartment or cottage, or do you have to move? Will you be given priority access to care options over individuals who don’t live there yet? If your healthcare needs ever change, a guaranteed continuum of care can be very comforting and convenient. 

Making the move stress-free  

Despite the fact that retirement communities are seeing an increased demand that rivals that of the housing market, someone seeking residency at a retirement community should expect a completely different “buying” experience.

At St. Ann’s, we don’t create competition for people wanting to live here. Our goal is to take the stress away from moving, not add to it. Bring a list of questions with you when you tour—it’s easy to get distracted looking at the beautiful spaces and amenities, having a list ensures important questions are answered.  

Finding the right balance

The search for retirement living is often a balancing act of finding the right location and finding a community with a good reputation. These criteria are becoming easier to satisfy as many of the well-reputed senior living communities in Rochester are actively expanding to meet demand. St. Ann’s Community, for example, acquired The Greens of LeRoy in 2019, and in 2020, entered into a partnership with Quail Summit in Canandaigua. 

Your next chapter

We know this is one of the most important decisions of a person’s life, and by adding our offerings, we can really increase the chance that we can help find someone the perfect place to call home.

Interested in chatting with a member of the St. Ann’s team about selling your home and transitioning to senior living?  Don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re happy to help, even if that means recommending another senior living community.