Are 55+ Communities Legal?

Some people, as they begin their research on Pennsylvania 55+ communities,wonder if such age restrictions aren’t considered discrimination and therefore made illegal. Indeed, there are several categories of discrimination defined in the Fair Housing Act that seeks to protect homeowners, buyers and renters, including: color, race, sex, religion, national origin, familial status and disability. As you can see, age is not one of these categories. However, many states elaborate on the Fair Housing Act with their own housing laws, and extend the categories of discrimination to such things as sexual orientation, ancestry, and marital status. Age protection can also be opted for state-by-state, but most do not affect senior housing, such as Pennsylvania 55+ communities, instead age protection seeks to protect younger citizens, such as children and pregnant women which aligns itself with the familial status laws. In the case of adult active communities, there is the Housing for Older Person’s Act, established in 1995 that also revises the familial status law mentioned above, providing exemptions if the community in question meets certain requirements. There are two exemptions:

  1. At least 80% of the housing units must have at least one member that is 55+ in a community that focuses on housing for 55 and older residents.
  2. All members of the community are 62 years of age or older.

Beyond these two requirements, Pennsylvania 55+ communities are free to make their own rules and regulations for age restrictions and policies. As long as they are following other laws that affect them in the state, and the HOPA requirements are met, active adult communities are 100% legal. This brings us to age restrictions in 55+ communities. As you can read, the first restriction is more often than not that a person seeking to live in the community must be 55, and that all units or at least 80% of all units comply with this restriction. For other persons living in the same household, a second age restriction may apply. In some cases this may be that all other persons in the household must be over the age of 40. In other cases, it may be marked at at least 18 years of age. Sometimes Pennsylvania 55+ communitieswill lower their age restriction policies or do away with them altogether so that some of the units can be bought by younger couples. As you can see, there are many variations and you will likely encounter all types of policies. Not to worry, again this is perfectly legal.

If you’re ready to take the next step and start looking at Pennsylvania 55+ communities and active adult homes today or anytime, give Summit Home a call! Their friendly and professional realtors know all the ins and outs of these communities and will be happy to help you find the one that is just right for you.

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4 Reasons Why Over 55 Communities Provide the Better Life

Maybe you’ve been considering over 55 communities in pa for some time now, maybe the thought has just occurred to you. Either way, you’ll find that there are many opportunities and benefits for choosing an active adult community as your new home. Here’s a quick overview on what those opportunities and benefits look like:

  1. Designed with You in Mind. As people get older, they start to realize that things need to be changed a little to accommodate them. Withover 55 communities in pa, you are provided with housing that is designed to suit you. This can be anything from safer walkways, less steps, wider hallways. Depending on your physical needs, you will find a community that is just right for you, and communities are often in beautiful settings that allow you to enjoy nature at whatever distance you’re comfortable with.
  2. This brings us to our second benefit: low maintenance housing. Some active adult communities even provide maintenance free housing, meaning that you no longer have to worry about landscaping and leaks and repainting. This gives you much more time to enjoy the third benefit:
  3. Lifestyle. Over 55 communities in pa come with a variety of clubs, events, amenities, outings, interest groups, that suit a diversity of residents. Whether you’re a hiker, a knitter, or a bookworm, you will find a creative outlet at your community while making new friends that you can relate to and thoroughly enjoy.
  4. Noise. Living in over 55 communities in pa also means that you won’t be woken from your night’s sleep by the thumping of a bass or find kids hanging out on the curb. While of course family and grandkids are always more than welcome visitors, having a protected area to call home is a huge appeal for many people seeking active adult community lifestyles.

Now that you’re inspired to check out more active adult communities in your area, give Summit Homes a call. Their professional and friendly realtors will be more than happy to help you find the home in the 55+ community of your dreams.

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Living in Active Adult Homes

There are many reasons people seek the comfort of living in active adult homes pa in 55+ communities. As individuals and couple become older, they often find that they are no longer able to keep up with all the landscaping and maintenance that a house requires, or they find that it takes them a lot longer and therefore starts to interfere with other activities and events that they might otherwise enjoy. Security also becomes an increasing concern for people as they get older, as well as having accessibility to the things that they need as well as love. This is where active adult homes pa offer an excellent solution, and with so many options available, you are guaranteed to find the community that best suits your needs. Certain communities also provide assisted living situations, and there’s a wide range of pricing to fit any budget.

Maybe you enjoy socializing; maybe you’re more focused on physical activities such ashiking or gardening. Maybe you enjoy hobbies, or book clubs. Whatever your personality may be, whatever interests you have, there are active adult homes pa that will suit you. You’ll even find yourself given many options to experience new and exciting things, while appreciating the security and sense of community. The goal is for you, in your later years, to be able to continue being an independent, expressive individual. You do not have to be retired to live in active adult homes, you just have to be 55 years of age or older. Active adult homes pa can also be rented or bought, which is an added bonus for people who are hesitant in making this big decision.

For more information on how to rent or own an active adult home in a 55+ community, give Summit Homes a call today! Their friendly and experienced realtors will be able to assist you in all your housing needs and assist you in every step toward living in your new home.

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3 Quick Tips to Finding the Right 55+ Home

Purchasing a new home can be a daunting task. It takes time and consideration, especially when you are also considering communities with 55+ homes pa. Many people, as they get older, want to continue experiencing their freedom, but find that the maintenance and duties of owning a house have become too much for them to handle on their own. This is where communities that are focused on 55+ homes pa offer an excellent solution. Not only are these communities secure and assist with such things as landscaping and house maintenance and repairs, they also offer a variety of individual and community activities that maintain and even enhance your sense of independence.

To narrow down your search for 55+ homes pa in active adult communities, there are a couple of things that you can take into consideration. These things will greatly assist you so that you don’t find yourself overwhelmed with all the options.

  1. Region. One way to narrow down the endless list of retirement communities is by deciding where you would like to live. You can begin as broadly as you like, or as narrowly as you like. You could choose a general region in the United States, then pick an actual state, before settling on a specific town or city. Take into consideration what the weather is like and what type of landscape you’ll be living with. Also think about accessibility and what’s nearby.
  2. Wants & Needs. Many 55+ homes pa in active adult communities have different amenities that they offer. A good idea is to make a list of what features you are looking for in your new home and community. Take into account your personality, what hobbies you already have and possibly even things you would like to try for the first time. Another thing to think about is your health. If you are experiencing health issues, some communities offer more living assistant services than others.
  3. Budget. Some 55+ homes in these communities are extremely expensive, some are affordable and some are cheap. Figure out what your budget is and realize that it is best not to try to save money when it comes to purchasing your new home. This is a big life-changing event that will be one of your best investments.

With all these things in mind, now visit Summit Homes. Having this information on hand will help their experienced and friendly Realtors assist you in making the best choice in deciding among the many 55+ homes pa available to you.

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Why You Should Work with a Realtor

Moving is always a big decision, and perhaps especially more so when you’re getting older in age and are considering 55 communities pa as your next possible home. Again, this is a big step and to help you decide which location and neighborhood is best for you, hiring an independent Realtor is your best option. Often it can be tempting to look at prospective houses and research active adult communities all on your own, hiring an real estate agent is a good idea because they are a wealth of information when it comes to helping you figure out all the needs that you want met, as well as the wants that you would like to be fulfilled upon moving into one of the many 55 communities pa out there.

A realtor is already familiar with all the different retirement communities and can quickly narrow down the ones that will best suit you. Otherwise you might find yourself f visiting many 55 communities pa that don’t suit your personality and needs at all. There is also quite a bit of documentation and paperwork that comes with buying a new home and becoming a part of active adult communities that are important to have a full understanding. Often in the excitement of purchasing a new home, people overlook what they’re signing; not really paying attention to various aspects that will affect them. A realtor can step in and assist you so that you can feel secure in every aspect of living in 55 communities pa of your choice.

For more information on the many different options that are available to you as an active adult seeking a home and community that can provide you with the security and independence that you seek as you get older, visit Summit Homes. Their knowledgeable and friendly realtors will be able to find you the right community, at the right price and with the right amenities that best suit you.

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5 Benefits to Living in Adult Communities PA

It is becoming more and more common for retirement age adults to invest in adult communities PA. There are multiple benefits to this decision. There is the obvious benefit of being around persons with similar interests and life styles. There is also the fact that many of these communities are situated near bus routes and good hospitals. I am going to list other benefits of living in adult communities PA below.

1) Security

Many of these communities are gated and are distinctly private. This means that the only persons you will run into on your daily walk are homeowners or their guests. The streets leading in and out of the development are private and not open to those without an access code.

2) Ability to invest in where you live

Yes these adult communities PA will actually allow you to invest in the community. Further the only persons investing in the community are the homeowners. Becoming a homeowner is not open to everyone and usually the buyer has to be above 55 years of age.

3) Single story floor plan

Nearly all of these communities require the floor plans to be single story. This is great for a few reasons. First, it is never fun to unload and load a car up and down flights of stairs. Second, as you age it has been statistically proven that those living in single story homes have fewer falls. This is because a person is more likely to fall going up and down stairs.

4) Smaller lot sizes

Along with your single story floor plan you have smaller lot sizes. Yard work for many homes is minimal if any. Many communities handle routine yard chores like mowing for the homeowner. This is part of homeowner association dues.

5) Social Events

Homeowners associations, within these communities do a very good job of creating active social schedules for guests to be involved.

These are 5 reasons you should consider investing and being a part of a great community of active older adults. Summit Homes has been building these specialized homes for years. Let them built your retirement dream home in one of these beautiful active adult communities.

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4 Things to Find in 55 + Homes in Pennsylvania

As you begin to age, the question begins to focus around the community you are presently part of. Is there adequate health care? Are the hospitals accessible? What about inner city transportation? If you cannot answer these questions definitively or these services are not available with in a twenty-five mile range of your home, it is more common to seek out communities close to these services. When looking for 55 + homes Pennsylvania it is important to consider the recreational and social services available within the community. Listed below are 5 things one should expect to find with in a community.

1) Fitness Area

When visiting a 55 + homes Pennsylvania a fitness center is a must. It would be even better if the center offered work out classes such as the Silver Sneakers program and water aerobic classes in the indoor pool. As the aging process sets in it is ever important to maintain recreational activities such as aerobics and tennis.

2) Clubhouse

The better 55 + homes Pennsylvania will have a clubhouse. This area will not just be a building but a socializing Mecca. The space should be available to rent for events of residents. If this area is top notch, depending on where you live it will have a fireplace and card/game playing area too.

3) Outdoor Fitness Area

An ideal outdoor fitness area will contain golf, tennis, and an outdoor lap pool. There may also be a horseshoe pit, croquet, and badminton. It is even better if the homeowner’s association hosts recreation tournaments for these areas.

4) Clubhouse Library

In some of the best communities there is a library inside the clubhouse. This area allows for magazine reading, book reading, and computer use. In most libraries, the residents donate books. The residents move into smaller houses and need to down size their book collections. It is a great way for a “take a book leave a book” philosophy.

Summit Homes is responsible for building a number of homes designed for senior adults. These communities offer a overwhelming amount of activities as well as a laid back lifestyle that’s suited for your needs.

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5 Reasons to Retire in a +55 Community

As more and more people begin deciding the quality of life they wish to have after retirement, PA +55 communities are gaining steam.  I will detail five reasons why these communities are popular in comparison to nursing homes, assisted living, and even retirement communities with assisted living options.  Aging is difficult for most and not something we always want to accept the reality of.  Adult communities are cropping up as a post-retirement option for those who are healthy, happy, and want to be surrounded by similarly aged individuals.

1) Autonomy55+ PA Communities

Buying a home in PA +55 communities allows for the individual to retain his or her autonomy by owning a home.  There is no one checking up on you and you do not eat meals around persons that may or may not be in equal health compared to you.  On the whole you maintain the same life you had prior to buying into the community.

2) Socializing

A big perk to living in PA +55 communities is that many home owners associations create social activities where guests are able to choose whether they wish to take part. This is nice for the resident because they can maintain their autonomy and they can choose when they wish to be social amongst neighbors.

3) Accessibility

Many of these communities are located near bus routes. They are also usually located near hospitals. For the individual who wishes not to drive their car, the bus line creates a way to go grocery shopping and get to city centers with out driving.

4) Privacy and Security

Many of these communities are gated and require access codes.  This means that the roads are not public entering into the community.  This crates a feeling a safety for residents.

5) Investment

It seems these developments are here to stay.  Many individuals are looking at buying into them as an investment.  Nursing homes and assisted living facilities likely will never be seen as an investment.

Let Summit Homes build your dream home in one of these active adult communities and live free as you intended.

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Three Reasons to Live in +55 Communities

Over 55 communities in PA are becoming a more popular alternative to retirement and group homes. It was not too long ago when an older person had the choice of living with their children or a nursing home.  Today there are so many independent and dependent living facilities.  Today it seems that one has numerous choices when it comes to choosing over 55 communities in PA.  It was almost like a death sentence in the past when it came to nursing homes.  I will list three reasons below as to why it is beneficial to consider living in over 55 communities in PA

1) Socializing: Being part of an adult community allows the individual the opportunity to socialize with similarly aged persons.  Most homeowner associations have great social calendars where they organize community outings, mixers, and holiday celebrations.  The communities also may have indoor and outdoor pools, tennis courts, and walking trails.  These are only accessible to residents and their guests.  It is even nicer that one does not have to share the pool with loud and screaming children.

2) Accessibility: The over 55 communities PA are almost always easily accessible.  This means that bus routes are nearby and hospitals are close as well.  Many times the bus stop sits right outside the gates of the community.

3) Privacy and Security: This feature cannot be understated.  These communities areusually gated and feature private access codes for residents.  The roads leading in and out of the development are not public.  This is helpful for those communities that may sit on the fringe of unsafe areas.  It also aids in knowing your neighbors and who is living around you.

For the above listed reasons many older adults are considering moving into an adult community.  These communities allow for autonomy.  The resident has all of the amenities of living in a facility but all the independence to create a life of his or her own. If you’re interested in this type of alternative living give Summit Homes a call!

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An Overview of 55+ Communities in PA

55+ communities in PA have many advantages that often are overlooked or are not completely realized by people considering 55+ communities in PA. The age minimum is a huge selling point and the main reason why people seek out these homes because it means that the community will be design to accommodate their needs, both emotionally and physically, while providing a secure, quiet living opportunity. There are many advantages to living in a 55+ communities in PA, and listed below is just a preview of some of the activities and opportunities that are common among these neighborhoods that you would have full access to.

  • Swimming Pools
  • Tennis
  • Golf
  • Exercise Rooms
  • Hiking Trails
  • Biking Trails
  • Clubs & Interest Groups

And that’s just the beginning. As you can see, these communities are still very active and accommodate active people. Each 55+ community in PA is unique and therefore suited for different types of people. Likewise, the location for 55+ communities in PA vary greatly. Some are located in cities while others are in smaller towns or even out in the country. Often people who are simply looking to lighten up their chores and bills or move someplace safer but still want to be in the midst of things are attracted tocities, while others may want a more reserved, quiet setting and opt for country orTennis small town settings. Regardless of your personal preference, there are plenty of options and finding the 55+ community that will suit you specifically will not be difficult.

55+ communities in PA share amenities and facilities, which means that each person who lives in the community helps pay for the costs of several different things. This often provides a sense of unity and security as well as control of finances without the worry of personally orchestrating all chores and maintenance issues that come up. The list gives you an idea of what these costs and fees will be for, but again, this varies from community to community

  • Gardening Service
  • Landscaping
  • Home Maintenance and Repair
  • Fire and Theft Insurance
  • Pool and Spa Maintenance and Repair
  • Country Club Membership
  • Snow Plow
  • Trash Pick Up
  • Cable Access
  • Home Utilities
  • 11) Any Remodeling
  • 12) Commuting Costs for Activities
  • 13) Club and Interest Group Costs
  • 14) Golf & Tennis Fees

It is important to understand all the costs and fees that come with living in 55+ communities in PA. Having these costs shared often eases the financial and emotional and physical burden that comes with dealing with many of these issues later in life, allowing you more to enjoy the benefits you are entitled to. For more information on 55+ communities in PA, give Summit Homes a call. They will be able to able to provide you with all the information you need, according to your personal preferences, with friendly expertise.

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