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Grand Dominion residents have many educational options in Lake County including University Center.

So you ask a real estate professional to tell you what’s the most important factor to consider in buying a new house. What is the one answer that you’re almost certain to receive? The answer, of course, is always: “Location. Location. Location.”

Well, the same holds true from a builder’s perspective when developing a community. Del Webb brand for active adults have developed a well-respected process for identifying lifestyle locations over the past 40 years.

So are builders and active-adult buyers both looking for something similar in their search for the “perfect place?” It’s less obvious than you think.  If you’re guessing scenic views, convenience to shopping and entertainment, access to transportation, or other standard realtor spin, there’s more to the story. Both builders and buyers are finding benefits of having a college or university in the neighborhood!

Michele Lerner of The Washington Times writes recently that “active-adult communities, restricted to households with residents age 55 and older, are frequently located near educational institutions so that residents can participate in classes and continue learning as they age.”

She explains that staying mentally and physically fit, as well as socially active, is made simpler in these communities.  Many residents are pre-retired, semiretired or retired, with extra time to spend on their own interests, including volunteering outside the community. Establishing such valuable connections with nearby cultural and educational outlets encourages an enriched environment and lifestyle for everyone.

Near Del Webb’s Edgewater in Elgin
Elgin has many diverse educational options. Within a 15-mile radius, there are more than 60 public and private elementary, middle and high schools. Elgin has three public school districts, several private religious schools and college-prep academies. Higher education opportunities include Elgin Community College, Judson College and branch campuses of National-Louis University and Keller Graduate School of Management.

Elgin Community College
ECC’s comprehensive offerings, guaranteed degrees, convenient locations, affordable tuition, small classes and a caring staff and faculty enable Edgewater residents to pursue many avenues of interest. The College was founded in 1949 and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

Of interest for adult learners is the fact that one of every 12 in-district adults takes at least one course at ECC every year. The average class size is only 20. The campus is accessible to students and visitors with disabilities. Registration is currently underway for ECC’s Spring Semester that begins Tuesday, January 20.

The campus offers ample opportunities for active Elginites who may be looking to join the ECC Foundation; rent facilities and use catering services; access career services; or enjoy a massage. For music, arts and drama lovers, check out the Visual & Performing Arts Center events; volunteer at the Arts Center; or visit Writers Center. For sports & fitness fans, attend athletic events or use the fitness center. Grandparents, parents and children, explore the library and bookstore.  Dining enthusiasts will enjoy the Spartan Terrace Restaurant.

Judson University
Judson University welcomes students of all ages. Many students bring a depth of knowledge in specific subjects that may have been acquired experientially. Judson has an outstanding, creative and dedicated faculty. Among the full-time faculty, over 80% hold the appropriate terminal degree in their field of teaching, with over 60% holding the doctoral degree. Faculty and administrators exemplify high standards of academic excellence in the context of the Christian faith. They place a high priority on relating personally with students.

Judson’s Adult Undergraduate Programs are designed for busy adults who are completing their college degrees. Professionals in Elgin area are able to take advantage of additional opportunities including Professional Development and Online Programs. For those who are interested in just earning a certificate or taking an individual course without completing the requirement for a degree, they may do so as a unclassified student by submitting the Distance Learner Application.

Near Del Webb’s Grand Dominion in Mundelein
Mundelein is conveniently located 10 miles southwest of Waukegan and 33 miles northwest of Chicago. The village is included in the Chicago metropolitan area and is home to almost 31, 000 residents. The University of Saint Mary of the Lake, in Mundelein, is a seminary offering graduate level degree programs. Other colleges and universities close by include College of Lake County, William Rainey Harper College, and Trinity International University.

Programming specific for active adults was found at the College of Lake County. Most colleges and universities typically provide non-credit options or special student status for degree and elective courses and provides an excellent outlet for non-traditional adult students.

College of Lake County
Discovery! A Program for Adult Learners with a Young Attitude
The Discovery! Program is designed especially for adults over 50 who share a love for learning. Classes, lectures, and tours are offered on a variety of subjects covering art, history, current events, computer and personal enrichment topics. Most classes are scheduled during the day, usually on weekdays, at various sites including the Southlake Educational Center in Vernon Hills and Waukegan Township Park Place Senior Services in Waukegan. To receive a current brochure or to be added to the mailing list, call the Discovery! Hotline at (847) 543-6507. View, download or print the Discovery! brochure.

Quest – In-Depth Summer Learning for Active Minds
Patterned after the Elder-hostel model, Quest meets for four consecutive days each summer to study a topic in-depth. New topics are explored each year through lectures, discussions and field trips. For more information or to be added to the mailing list, call the Discovery!/Quest Hotline at (847) 543-6507. View, download or print the Quest brochure. Follow these steps to apply to the College of Lake County, register for classes and pay course fees.

Del Webb’s locations provide an enriching environment for residents that encourage lifelong learning opportunities. From education to entertainment and vocations to volunteering, college towns offer plenty of perks for people looking to keep active. For additional information specific to our Edgewater or Grand Dominion communities, visit DelWebbChicagoland.com. We encourage you make an appointment with our consultants or onsite lifestyle coordinators who are knowledgeable and skilled at matching personal interests and lifestyle needs.

Is it time to start thinking about downsizing?

There are many questions involved in making a decision to downsize from the family home of many years. Whether you’re entering a new stage of life because the kids have left to pursue their own lives or if home maintenance doesn’t seem appealing any longer, it may be time to consider a move.

Well, for the semi-empty nester such as yourself who is contemplating the possibility of starting a new lifestyle, one thing comes to mind most frequently. “How do I even start to incorporate years of memories in a new home?”

We understand that this is a major life transition so we have come up with six basic questions (and answers) to start you thinking about the possibility of a new home in your future. Whenever you reach that decision, an active adult lifestyle can bring you a wealth of benefits including efficiencies, entertainment, services, time and much more.

1. Why downsizing?
You now live in a home meant for children and pets and are now left with lots of space and leftover belongings. Also, yards, whether large or small, have required your time and money to maintain over the years.  Downsizing means that you can move into a home well-suited for you and your spouse free of yard and snow maintenance and even exterior home maintenance.  Downsizing gives you more time to do the things you enjoy best.

2.  When’s the right time?
Ok, so you think you’re ready to downsize. When’s the best time to do so? Many couples have a child in college who lives at home only part-time. Do you wait until he or she finishes school?  If this is an issue, ask your child how he or she feels about the move. You may want to consider relocating somewhere where your child feels comfortable staying and saving money.

3. Where will you go?
Now you’re ready to downsize and have decided on a good time.  Where should you go? Do you enjoy the location and state where you currently reside?  Do you want to remain close to family and friends?  Are you looking to move somewhere warm?  These are all factors you must consider when selecting a new community.

4. What type of home do you prefer?
There are many flexible housing options available.  What type of “downsized” home is suitable for you? Do you prefer a townhome or detached single family home?  Would you like to live in an active adult community, a condo with no yard or a rental option?  Do you plan on entertaining often? Is mobility an issue that could benefit from a first-floor master suite? The great thing about lifestyle communities, like the popular ones at Del Webb, is that there is something for everyone.  You can enjoy clubs, activities, walks around beautiful lakes, traveling, or even quiet time with your spouse.

5.  How will you pay for it?
You’ve found the perfect home. However, you don’t want to pay more money for a new home. Yes, some communities, condos, and townhomes come with a hefty price tag.  At Del Webb, you can purchase a detached single family home in a fantastic neighborhood for a very competitive price. Extra luxuries and amenities are even included with your home.

6.  What will you do with all of your things?
Over the years, you have accumulated a wealth of knowledge, experience, and a ton of stuff!  It’s very overwhelming to think about how you can fit all of these memories into a smaller home.  Many active adult communities offer flexible storage options that help lessen the anxiety of downsizing.  Homes at Del Webb’s Grand Dominion in Mundelein offer 2-3 car garages and large walk-in closets. Free seminars are even hosted at the community center on topics relating to decorating, packing and moving for residents and the public.

Have you downsized recently? How was your experience? If you have other ideas or tips that helped you, share them with us by submitting a comment on this post.  We’ll collect all of them and then follow up with another article featuring your inspired ideas and advice.

When considering making your year end contributions, keep these tips in mind for your protection.

All too frequently, many retired persons are victims of charitable fraud through an ever-increasing number of misleading techniques that are aimed at capturing vital personal information and causing financial damage.

Please take a moment to review the following top 10 tips provided by the Charity Navigator as the end of the calendar year quickly approaches. These easy-to-follow precautions can help ensure that you contribute only to legitimate and efficient charities.

On solicitations…
1.) Don’t give in to pressure tactics. Remember, reputable organizations don’t have to resort to harassment and pressure tactics. Their good work and financial health should speak for itself.

2.) Verify claims that say you’ve contributed in the past. If a caller or an appeal letter indicates that you’ve given in the past, be sure to check it out for yourself.

3.) Don’t feel obligated to give because you received a gift. Just because you received some mailing labels or personalized cards doesn’t mean you’re required to reciprocate with a donation.

4.) Be careful of impostors. Scam artists often use sound-alike names to trick you into thinking they represent a legitimate charity.

5.) Hang up the phone. Ask the fundraiser to send you written information about the charity they represent, hang up the phone and do some research on your own. Send the organization a check directly in the mail, thus ensuring 100% of your gift goes to the charity and not the for-profit fundraiser.

On being prepared…

6.) Make sure that your donation is tax-deductible. Before giving a donation to any organization, make sure it is a 501(c)(3) charity. That means the group has filed paperwork with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), registering it as a U.S. nonprofit and enabling its contributors to take a tax-deduction for their gifts.

7.) Research the charity before you give. Take a look at the organization’s finances. Make sure it is able to direct at least 75% of its budget on the programs and services it exists to provide.

8.) Send your donation directly to the charity. Once you’ve done your research, send your contribution directly to the charity you wish to support. Don’t send cash as it can be lost or stolen. Also, you’ll want to have paid by check or credit card so you have a receipt of your donation when it comes time to take the tax-deduction.

9.) Tell the charity not to share your personal information. When you send a charity a small donation- say $10 or $25- there is a high probability that the organization will then sell or trade your contact information with other charities.

10.) Finally, share your giving wishes and supported charities with a trusted family member or close friend. Having someone who knows your preferences and history of giving can help spot any changes in giving patterns.

With more than 2 million charities in the United States, there are countless ways to make your contributions count and to make a difference in the world.

It may have looked good years ago, but replacing that tired wallpaper with a coat of fresh paint is sure to appeal to a prospective buyer of your home.

Seniors looking to sell their homes and move into an adult-oriented community such as Del Webb’s Grand Dominion should look to consultants like those at Del Webb’s developments as resources to help them sell their homes.

Many older adults have been in their current homes for 30 or more years and may not fully understand the current real estate market.

Del Webb sales consultants can help seniors to prepare not only their home — but themselves — for this important step in life.

Fix up your home
Often, a good consultant can help seniors with locating painters or repair services to get their home ready for listing. By taking care of minor repairs, adding a fresh coat of paint and otherwise giving the home a once over, issues that the seniors have learned to live with for a while don’t become negotiating points that can sap a home’s value.

Staging appeals to buyers
Likewise, sales consultants often know many interior decorators and staging services that can come into an older home and help the owner to make it appear larger and appealing to a new, and perhaps younger, buyer.

Look for an experienced agent
Agents and brokers who specialize in listing and selling senior’s homes are often well known by the consultants in an active adult or adult-oriented community. Del Webb sales consultants have a ready list of skilled, experienced real estate agents who understand what you’re about to go through and can help make the process easy and painless.

Everyone has questions
Senior communities have a very particular type of buyer. No doubt, your Del Webb sales consultant has been asked many of the questions you have, dozens of times. Don’t be afraid to ask even the simplest of questions — it may have been a while since you’ve bought a new home and things may be a bit different than you remember.

Get moving
When you’ve sold your home and have closed on your new one, a reliable and careful mover that fits your tight budget can make the move-in process a cinch. Many older adults don’t have younger family members or friends readily available to move them from one home to another. Let Del Webb’s sales consultants recommend a mover for you.

An experienced sales consultant like those you’ll find at a Del Webb community can be a great source of advice and a resource that can help you to sell your home quicker — and make moving into a new home easier. Even if you’re not quite ready to move, it makes sense to pay us a visit and get your questions answered.