Hi Mike

Its not easy making such big decisions and expensive ones as that so I wish to share a story. My parents retired early and purchased a home in a gated over 55 complex where they spent 15 very happy years, made many new friends, played tennis, danced and bowls etc etc. a great part of their lives. When my mother had a nasty fall and ended up in hospital fully dependent, my father made the difficult decision to sell as he felt it was time they made a move into residential care not that he personally felt ready for that. Both were very independent yet sadly my fathers life expectancy was limited at that point and he didnt want to leave mum without ensuring she had resettled with new friends in a fully supported facility when his day came.

When it came time to sell their home in the complex the fun really started. The fees were very significant in the original contract which was seen as the norm at that time. Their home had to be repainted, curtains all in excellent condition had to be replaced. They had replaced carpet with proessionally laid timber floors a couple of years earlier fortunately seeking written permission first and they were still in perfect nick but the village owners wanted them removed and carpet laid. All changes were at my parents expense. The company had the right to hold onto their home up to six months without putting it on the market and the company didnt want to put it up for sale because they had others to sell first. Added to that was the fact my parents maintenance fee had risen to over $100pw and that fee was still payable for a further 6 months or until sold if earlier. We could see what the company were doing to make money by stalling the sale (all legally) and we were so upset for our parents as was our terminally ill father given the $400k each bond in residential care had to be paid or interest in lieu.

Fortunately their neighbours place was just opening up for tours (the company hired contemporary furnishings for the big sales pitch and drove potential investors around to specific homes in a golf buggy-no for sale signs go up) so my sister and I did a little sneaky marketing with two couples that came to view next door on the first day. The first couple came and after looking through the other home we politely started a conversation in the driveway while we were packing the car and cleaning up and invited them to come inside to see it for themselves (a comparison!). The salesman was clearly angry that we invited them in while he had been away locking up (He followed our voices and his face told the story).

The outcome was that the couple loved my parents home especially the modern timber floors, the sunny location, closed in verandah and the big solar system my parents had installed so they wanted to buy it - thank you!... No thanks of course to the sales team who tried to sell them any other alternative.

Result - our mother settled well after the move and my father died with a peace of mind months later. Moral to the story is look around and get financial advice. The laws may vary in states so if you go in fully informed you will be able to travel and return between trips to a beautiful home in a wonderful community with like minded people. Its all about making an informed choice. 

I personally downsized and bought a small duplex to avoid the costs and hassles my parents experienced then spend a few dollars on a 4x4 with slide on and took off. I pay to have the lawns attended and mail redirected and the neighbours keep an eye out.  Now i come and go as i please without spending a fortune on maintenance. When the time comes that I am unable to drive I have a bus stop, medical care and shops close by. Living the life!