If you're 62 or older and thinking about downsizing, moving to a home that's easier to maintain, or getting closer to your children and grandchildren, you may be wondering how to make your next home purchase work financially.

One option you may have heard about is a reverse mortgage for purchase, also known as a HECM for Purchase.

It's not the right solution for everyone, and it's certainly not "free money." But for some eligible homeowners, it can provide another way to approach purchasing a home in retirement.

Here's a closer look at how it works and some of the things you...

Richmond is known for it's beautiful older homes and neighborhoods. From elegant Victorian architecture to classic Colonial Revival designs, these homes offer timeless appeal that many buyers dream about owning.

However, if you're over 55 and purchasing what may be your forever home, it's important to look beyond the home's charm and consider whether it will continue to meet you rneeds over the next 10 to 20 years.

Think About Living on One Floor

As mobility changes with age, a home that allows daily living on one level becomes increasingly valuable.

Look for:

• First...

If you're over 55 and beginning to think about your next move, it's easy to get caught up scrolling through homes online.  You may be comparing floor plans, kitchens or neighborhoods before you've answered the most important question of all:

How do you want to live during the next chapter of your life?

After more than 30 years helping Richmond-area homeowners buy and sell homes, I've found that the happiest moves aren't necessarily into the biggest house or the newest community.  They're the moves that support the lifestyle people truly want.

Think Beyond Square Footage

If you've lived in your Richmond-area home for 15, 20, or even 30 years, you've likely watched the local real estate market change dramatically. Whether you're considering downsizing, relocating closer to family, or simply want to understand how today's market might affect your future plans, having accurate, up-to-date information matters. Here's a straightforward look at what's happening in the Richmond market right now — no hype, no predictions, just the facts.

Home Values Have Grown Significantly

Right now, the Richmond metro area's median home price falls between $419,000 and...

If you're exploring 55+ communities, you already know the appeal: low-maintenance living, resort-style amenities, and neighbors in the same season of life. But not all communities are built — or run — the same way. Before you sign a purchase agreement or a lease, it pays to ask the right questions.

Here's what I recommend every buyer or renter ask on their community tour.

1. What are the guest and family policies?

Ask specifically how long grandchildren or other family members can stay overnight. Most communities set an annual limit, often two to four weeks, and some also...

If you've lived in your home for 20, 30, or even 40 years, you've probably heard well-meaning advice that you need to gut-renovate before you sell. It's simply not true. Homes that have been lived in and loved for decades often have excellent bones — solid construction, mature landscaping, and generous lot sizes that newer builds can't match. The key to selling successfully isn't a massive investment; it's understanding what buyers actually notice and addressing those specific things.  

Why First Impressions Matter So Much

Buyers typically form an opinion about a home within the...

If you're over 55 and wondering whether to sell your home or keep it as a rental, you're far from alone. This is one of the biggest financial decisions many homeowners face — and the right answer isn't the same for everyone.

Below are five questions that can help you figure out which path makes the most sense for your finances, your lifestyle, and your future.  Watch my video here to find out more!

1. Do You Want to Be a Landlord?

Rental income sounds appealing, but it comes with real responsibilities:

• Fielding maintenance requests
• Screening and finding quality...

If you've lived in your home for twenty, thirty years, or more, you already know something that no real estate listing can capture: this isn't just a house. It's where you brought your children home for the first time. It's the kitchen where birthdays were celebrated year after year. It's the backyard where someone learned to ride a bike, the dining room where holidays gathered the whole family, maybe even a doorframe somewhere with pencil marks tracking how much everyone grew.

So when the topic of downsizing comes up, it's no surprise that the conversation isn't really about square...

The house is quieter now. The bedrooms that once barely contained the chaos of a growing family sit still. And at some point — maybe over your morning coffee, maybe during a long weekend at home — the question surfaces:

What do we do now?

If you're an empty nester weighing your housing options, you're far from alone. It's one of the most common crossroads people face in their mid-50s and 60s, and it's one of the most consequential. Get it right and this next chapter can feel like a genuine fresh start. Get it wrong and you may find yourself moving again sooner than you'd...

Downsizing doesn't have to be overwhelming. Whether you're months away or just starting to think about it, these seven steps will help you move forward with confidence — and on your own terms.

If you're standing in a home full of memories and wondering what the next chapter looks like, you're in good company. Downsizing is one of the most significant decisions many of us will ever make — and it can feel completely overwhelming before you even know where to begin.

The good news? You don't have to figure it out all at once. With the right steps and a little bit of planning, this...