5 Things to Think About Before Buying Your Last Home
Buying your last home sounds like a simple idea.
You find the home you love; you make sure it fits your budget, and you picture yourself staying there for the long run.
But when you’re choosing what could be your final home, the decision is a little different. You’re not just thinking about what works today. You’re thinking about comfort, maintenance, mobility, family, lifestyle, and what life may look like 5, 10, or even 15 years from now.
So today, I’m going to walk you through what to think about before you choose your last home, especially if you’re buying here in Las Vegas.
If you were buying your last home, what would matter most to you: single-story living, low maintenance, being close to family, healthcare access, or having space for guests?
QUESTION #1: Does the home work for your life today and later?
One thing I always tell my buyers is… when you’re buying what could be your last home, you have to stop thinking only about how the home feels today and think about how it will function years from now. A lot of homes look beautiful online. Tall entryways, dramatic staircases and huge bonus rooms upstairs. I have a lot of clients that are drawn to two stories. They often have curb appeal and look much larger from the yard.
Layout matters more than most people realize. I’ve had buyers start out wanting a two-story because they loved the look and the extra space, then after walking a few homes they started thinking about everyday life. Carrying laundry upstairs. Going up and down stairs multiple times a day. Future knee surgeries, Aging parents moving in.
I have clients that we have had the conversation, and we both know logically a single story makes the most sense. Of course, buying is emotional and they are still drawn to two stories homes. So, we are focused on floor plans where the primary bedroom is at least downstairs.
When we moved into Anthem Country Club, we purchased a two-story home. We bought a home on Plum Hollow which is the Cadenza model. The primary bedroom is downstairs and we had two bedrooms upstairs and a loft. It worked really well for us at that time. My sons were in high school and middle school so they had the rooms upstairs and their own space. It has a small room downstairs that my husband used as his office and I used the loft for my office. It was great and being on Plum Hollow was fun for the family because it is the “Halloween street” that everyone goes to in the neighborhood for trick or treating. However, as our kids got older we really wanted a single story. The home has two steps down to the kitchen and family room. Then another two steps up and down to go to the primary bedroom so even though it was on the first level it was separated.
That doesn’t mean a two-story home never makes sense. Sometimes buyers want separation for guests, offices, or family members, and there are some great floorplans with the primary bedroom down. I’ve even had clients purposely choose a two story with secondary rooms upstairs because they knew they’d eventually adult kids or long-term visitors staying with them. The key is really thinking through how you live day to day instead of just focusing on square footage.
I also encourage buyers to pay attention to small things people often overlook. Is there a step down into the shower? Are the hallways wide enough? Is the garage entry easy? Does the backyard require a lot of upkeep? I’ve had clients fall in love with homes that had gorgeous big backyards but they were a lot of maintenance and just wasn’t practical long term.
My husband John and I ended up purchasing a single-story home in Anthem Country Club and we love it. We often say this is our forever home. There is no reason to have to sell as we get older. It is comfortable, functional, and simple to maintain. And I think that’s something buyers sometimes underestimate when they first start this process.
When buyers really think through how they want daily life to feel five, ten, or fifteen years from now, it usually changes what they prioritize in a home.
QUESTION #2: How much maintenance do you really want?
This is one of the biggest conversations I have with buyers who are purchasing what they hope will be their long-term home, because people often focus on the fun parts of the property and not the reality of maintaining it year after year.
I often have clients that really want a pool when they move to Las Vegas. I understand because the summers are hot. I have a pool in my rear yard, but we rarely use the pool. We probably only use it 2 or 3 times a year. It is nice to look at in the back yard, but the costs of the maintenance and additional utility bills do add up.
Between regular service, chemicals, equipment repairs, electricity costs, and we are currently getting bids right for resurfacing our pool. Pools can become more work than buyers anticipate.
I’ve seen this happen many times with clients. I have a lot of clients that sell the big home with the pool and big yard to simply and purchase something in an age restricted community with a community pool.
For some clients the pool is a priority. I have great clients, Tami and Alex that watch my youtube channel and contacted me off my videos. Hi guys! I just popped by their house this week. They purchased in Sun City Anthem and do have a pool. Their yard is amazing. Many of the homes in Sun City Anthem do not have pools. It really isn’t that common there, so we were lucky to find something that works for them. They love the pool.
For others low-maintenance homes and yards are a priority at this stage of life. Buyers sometimes think downsizing means giving up, but many people end up gaining freedom instead. Less cleaning. Less upkeep. Less stress when leaving town. And here in Henderson and Las Vegas, I’m seeing more buyers specifically ask for low maintenance homes where they can travel for weeks or months without worrying about landscaping, exterior maintenance, or security. I have a lot of clients that are snowbirds and only live here part of the year.
I always tell clients to really think about what kind of lifestyle they want every single day not just what looks impressive when you first walk through the home.
John and I talk about this ourselves all the time because we plan to travel more when we retire. Right now, when we are out of town, we have our son Brad watch the house (and dog).
QUESTION #3: Is the location convenient for your real life?
This becomes a much bigger deal than people expect when they’re buying a long-term home. Early on, buyers tend to focus on the house itself the kitchen, the view, the finishes, the backyard. But after helping clients for almost 30 years, I can tell you that what usually impacts someone’s daily happiness the most is how easy and enjoyable their everyday life feels once they move in.
When you’re choosing what could be your last home, convenience matters. And I don’t just mean being near the Strip or entertainment. I mean real-life convenience. How far is the grocery store? How long does it take to get to your doctor’s office? Is the airport easy to reach if family visits often or do you travel regularly? Are restaurants, walking trails, fitness centers, and everyday errands close by?
One reason so many buyers love Henderson is because it is convenient living here. We call Anthem the bubble because everything is close by and you do not need to leave. Most people don’t realize Henderson’s average commute time is only about 23 minutes, which is actually shorter than the national average. And compared to larger metro areas, many Las Vegas and Henderson communities are designed so you can reach most everyday errands within a short drive. That’s a huge quality-of-life factor people appreciate more as time goes on.
Healthcare access also becomes much more important than buyers initially think. Southern Nevada now has more than 50 hospitals and medical centers throughout the valley, and areas like
Henderson, Green Valley, and Summerlin continue seeing growth around healthcare services and medical offices. I’ve had clients specifically move closer to Henderson Hospital, St. Rose, or certain specialists because they realized they didn’t want long drives across town several times a month. I have had clients living in Sun City Anthem move to Sun City MacDonald Highlands so they are 10 minutes closer to the hospital and doctors. It is that important.
I have buyers that being able to get to the airport quickly is important. You can access the airport within 15 minutes from most areas in Henderson. Family can easily fly in and out nonstop from so many major cities. I hear this constantly from buyers. They want sunshine, lower taxes, and easier living, but they also want kids and grandkids to visit easily.
I had one couple who originally wanted a large custom home farther out because they loved the views and privacy. But after we spent time talking through what everyday life would actually look like, they changed direction completely and bought in Sun City MacDonald Ranch near Green Valley Ranch instead. They loved that they could be at the grocery store, restaurants, walking trails, fitness clubs, and medical offices within minutes. They told me later they found themselves going out more, walking more, and enjoying life more simply because everything was convenient.
John and I talk about this all the time too. Some of our favorite things are simple, grabbing dinner nearby, meeting friends, going to The District, getting to the airport easily when traveling, or just not spending our life sitting in traffic. And I think that’s something buyers underestimate when choosing a long-term home. The right location doesn’t just save time. It makes everyday life feel easier and more enjoyable for years to come.
QUESTION #4: Does the community fit your next chapter?
Many people move to Las Vegas or Henderson and are focused only on what they want in a new home. Single story, 3 bedrooms, must have a fireplace. Seriously, I have had clients that a fireplace was so important to them. We hardly ever use fireplaces here. Things like that seem important at the time but in retirement the community and lifestyle around you matters just as much, sometimes even more.
It isn’t always easy to meet new people and make friends in Las Vegas. Over the years I became friends with other parents from when my kids were in school. I have friends from years ago that I met when I worked for an insurance company and I am friends with realtors that I work with. It is easier to make friends when your kids are young and you are working but when you are retired it isn’t easy. And this is where communities like Sun City Anthem really stand out for some buyers. The community has over 60 clubs and groups ranging from pickleball, golf, fitness, and travel clubs to card groups, crafts, dance classes, car clubs, and social events. You can join a club and meet people with similar interests.
I’ve had clients move here from California or the Midwest where they left behind longtime friendships, work relationships, churches, and routines they had built for decades.
I have a client, George, tell me that this was the hardest part of moving not the move itself, but starting over socially. He said,” Leslie you don’t make 30-year friendships quickly. I totally understand. That is why finding people with similar interests really helps to form friendships.
And there’s real value in that. Research continues to show that strong social connections are tied to better physical health, mental health, and overall happiness as people age. That’s one reason buyers increasingly look beyond just the home itself and pay attention to whether a community supports the kind of lifestyle they want long term.
Of course, not everyone wants that environment. Some buyers prefer mixed-age neighborhoods where they’re surrounded by families, kids, and more activity. Others want quiet guard-gated communities focused on privacy and low traffic. The key is really understanding yourself and what kind of daily environment will make you happiest during this next chapter of life.
QUESTION #5: Can this home handle family, guests, and future changes?
This is another area to keep in mind. When you live in Las Vegas, a lot of people visit you. I hear from my clients all the time that they see their relatives more now that they moved than when they lived closer to them. People love to come and visit Las Vegas. A lot of the homes in Sun City Anthem have casitas. This is intentional because it works well for retirees that will have guest staying with them!
I always encourage buyers to think about guests, family visits, hobbies, and future lifestyle changes before making a decision. If your kids or grandkids visit often, having an extra bedroom or private guest space can completely change how comfortable those visits feel.
I know it is so important to be able to have family visits. And you want to feel comfortable because after those visits happen a few times, buyers quickly realize they don’t want everyone sleeping on air mattresses in the living room.
I also see many buyers underestimate how important hobbies and personal space remain later in life. Some people need space for crafts, golf equipment, fitness, sewing, woodworking, holiday storage, or even just a quiet office. Since covid and 2020, home offices have become valuable for all age groups because many people continue working remotely or just want an office space for paying bills and other items.
And flexibility can become even more important years down the road. I’ve had clients choose homes with extra flex rooms or casitas because they were thinking ahead about aging parents, adult children returning temporarily, or even future caregiver needs. In Las Vegas and Henderson, I’m seeing more buyers prioritize next-gen layouts, detached casitas, or homes with secondary suites because they provide options without having to move again later.
When you’re buying your last home, the goal is not just to find a beautiful house. The goal is to choose a home that can support your life now and continue to make sense as your needs change.
That means thinking about the layout, the maintenance, the location, the community, and the flexibility of the home before you choose.
If you’re thinking about buying your last home here in Las Vegas, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to help you walk through your options and find a home that truly fits your next chapter.
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