Posted by Ben Wills in Home Buying

Low-maintenance living is more than just a trend for the retired—it’s a lifestyle! Life comes at you quick, and for those of us who are always on the go, it can be easy to overlook some of our smaller responsibilities from time to time.

A low-maintenance living arrangement can help ensure things are in order as you go about your day-to-day life and allows you to spend your time how you want to spend it.

Couple relaxing on couch

What Is Low-Maintenance Living?

Simply put, low-maintenance homes or communities offer stress-free living.

Although its definition may vary from state to state, low-maintenance communities are typically overseen by a homeowners association (HOA). The HOA assumes many common responsibilities associated with owning and maintaining a home, which means you can spend more time focusing on what your work and hobbies and less time worrying about maintaining your yard and shrubs.

Here are 4 reasons why you’ll love living in a lock-and-leave community.

Ditch the Heavy Landscaping Equipment

There are very few things more exhausting than spending a hot summer day outside mowing the lawn or trimming your shrubs and bushes, not to mention the danger that comes with climbing ladders to trim tree branches and palm fronds.

Having virtually no lawncare maintenance responsibility allows you to spend your sunny days how you see fit, whether that be grilling by the pool with friends and family or going shopping.

When you purchase a low-maintenance home, you can say goodbye to the heavy lawncare equipment for good and even free up some room in the garage!

Man mowing yard

More Time to Get Settled Into Your New Home

The first several months in your new home are some of the most important. Getting settled in and personalizing your home to your exact specifications is important and gives your new home the character it deserves.

You will have more time for painting, decorating walls and countertops, organizing your garage and storage rooms, and finding the right color templates for your bathrooms and extra bedrooms; rest assured, your home will not experience any diminishing curb appeal since the HOA has you covered.

Once your interior is as appealing as your exterior, you can start making your guest list for your housewarming party!

Couple hanging a painting

You Can Enjoy the Amenities Your Community Has to Offer

Since you will be in an HOA community, there are plenty of included amenities you can enjoy. Many M/I communities offers a clubhouse and pool to enjoy on the weekends, nearby walking and biking trails to stay active, and dog parks to spend time with your furry friend.

Enjoying the amenities in your community is a great way to create healthy relationships through challenge. Many communities offer tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts that are just for you and your new neighbors. This gives you the opportunity to meet new people and build competitive, yet friendly, relationships with neighbors who have similar interests!

Neighbors playing tennis

You Can Truly Be a Part of Your Community

With fewer homeowner responsibilities and more time for leisure, you will have time to really become immersed in your community.

Find your new local markets and coffee shops, explore the surrounding nature trails and outdoor recreation centers, get to know your neighbors and ask them what they love about the area. These steps can make for a great relationship between you and your new community.

Lady buying from local market

Trade in your upkeep for downtime and get back to doing what makes you happy! Living low maintenance allows you to free up some time, making it easier to invest in your friends, family, and community.



Author

Ben Wills
Ben Wills

Author

​Ben Wills is the Mortgage Branch Training Officer for M/I Financial, LLC. Ben has been in the mortgage field for over 40 years and has assisted thousands of homeowners in financing new home construction.

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