We have had a lot of queries about our report last week on ‘like for like’ retirement village homes being 25 per cent to 50 per cent cheaper than the same homes in the same postcode – how could that be?
Many people said to us it must be because the “hidden fees” in the contracts are exorbitant – that is how village owners make their money: “Villages are just not a good deal.”
Well no, that is wrong. Villages are an exceptional deal, depending on what you want. And this is why many villages have waiting lists. In fact over 25,000 people this year will pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to join a village, having done their homework and knowing a good deal when they see it.
The real story behind ‘those fees’
But let’s look at those ‘hidden fees’. The one that journalists and families jump on is called the DMF, or Deferred Management Fee. It is a big one. Commonly it is 30 to 35 per cent of the price you pay to join the village.
Based on $500,000 to enter the village, when you leave you will get back around $325,000. The DMF will cost you $175,000 to live in the village. The average is nine years residency, so it will have cost you $19,500 a year or $375 a week.
You do not get the benefit of any capital gain from the value of the property either, like you would if you owned your own home.
Sounds like a terrible deal and the owner of the village must be making a fortune!
Well no. And before I explain why, it is worth noting that church and charity groups operate 40 per cent of all villages. The Catholics, Presbyterians, Lutherans and Salvation Army to name just a few. Do you think they are making a fortune off older Australians? And their villages are not necessarily the lower cost ones – $1 million village homes are available and selling.
The great attraction of retirement villages is that they are designed to give you the peace of mind that you are secure as you age. Physically secure and financially secure, with good companionship and emotional support on hand. They are likely to be your last move.
More money in your pocket
The money part is fundamental to security. So the village contract allows you to ‘buy’ your home at significantly less than a normal home outside the village and you can keep the difference to live on as you age.
What is more your village home will have safety designed into it that normal homes don’t, plus gardens, safe roads, swimming pools and facilities you would not get in a normal house or apartment.
You get the money and benefits now and pay later, with the DMF fee.
And the owner joins you. They get their profit from providing the village and support nine years later, when you leave. It is ‘delayed’ profit and is their reward for staying with you and being responsible for your welfare and the operation of the village – for nine years.
Do they make a lot of money out of this? No. The big public companies like Aveo and Stockland earn around 6 per cent return on their villages. They could almost have their money in the bank and be better off.
Residents protected by law
And are the contracts fair? All this information is very clearly spelt out and backed by the laws and regulations of the Retirement Village Act in each state to protect potential residents. It is your responsibility to read the contract and get advice – just like buying a house. Nothing unfair about that.
So why buy into a village? Well, what value do you place on peace of mind? On security? On contentment? On being able to do things now with your money while you can rather than locked up in your old home?
Nine years is a long time to be worried, and often alone. Villages offer an alternative. And to our mind that is close to priceless.
Discussion11 Comments
Great way of looking at it. I have been wondering how to “sell” the village I am now managing. Thanks for a different way of thinking.
I think this article is a bit misleading. Yes there is the wonderful community and general services that are available to you someone buying into a village, but for this generally one-off buying experience, it masks the financial realities of what confronts you (or your family) when you depart the retirement village.
Costs at the point of departure are genuinely shocking. There is lack of control over the sale process, no written information available on recent sales, and you are directed to deal with lawyers, not sales people. Worst news was a property can be reserved for a potential buyer for up to 12-weeks (meaning no-one else can make an offer on the property)! Great when you’re buying in, terrible when you’re looking to sell.
My recommendation is that when you buy into a retirement village, don’t rely on contractual narrative, get the provider to prepare a sample set of numbers on the basis of you selling in 4 years, 8 years and 12 years, on the basis of the sale taking 18-26 weeks from handing over the keys, and incorporating staged levels of renovations.
Buy in and enjoy your lifestyle, but every 6-months or so, pull out that page with that list of numbers so that when the time comes to sell, you save yourself considerable distress.
At 80 years old and being alone, I would love to go into retirement village. Unfortunately most figures quoted apply to prices in Sydney and Melbourne. Here in Mackay, the medium house price is often much lower than the price of a retirement home. For example, four or five years ago an appraisal on my house was $369,000. To-day that price has fallen to about $245,000, and even the lowest priced retirement village is selling for more than that. Julie Neal
All is not lost! Have you considered, selling up and moving into a rental retirement village?
There are many villages across Australia.
After selling your home, you would have money in the bank to live very comfortable.
Check out http://www.compassrlc.com
Bob Newport for Compass Retirement Living Choices.
Would like to assist Julie Neal in an advisory capacity in securing a rental retirement village in an area of her choice. Would she like to have a non obligationary talk in the first instance?
http://www.compassrlc.com
Regards
Bob
I would like to get in touch with Julie Neal?
Bob Newport
Compass Retirement Living Choices.
QUESTION THEN IF YOU THINK THEY ARE OK.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF ALAN KOHLAR’S ARGUMENT,
AND WHAT HE IS MISTAKEN ABOUT?. AND OTHERS SIMILIAR.
JUST TRYING TO MAKE UP MY MIND WHO IS RIGHT
AND WRONG.
OWEN MILLER
Dear Annie and Jill, i was wondering if you could give me some advice please. I am 77 and my wife is 74 both of us are well at the moment . we have not got a lot of money, was wondering how to go about puting our name down on a rental in the near future if something happens. Kind regards Phil.
Dear Phil,
I too am a healthy pensioner, aged 80 (more like a 69 yr old), and I am trying to find a LONG-TERM Rental. If you find anything that is affordable on an Aged Pension please let me know. wingsaway@gmail.com
I live in Mackay at present but I want to get back to my old home town on the Gold Coast Qld where my family and old friends are. I have willed my body to the Gold Coast University Hospital there also.
Dear Phil,
I too am a healthy pensioner, aged 80 (more like a 69 yr old), and I am trying to find a LONG-TERM Rental. If you find anything that is affordable on an Aged Pension please let me know. wingsaway@gmail.com
I live in Mackay at present but I want to get back to my old home town on the Gold Coast Qld where my family and old friends are. I have willed my body to the Gold Coast University Hospital there also.
May I please add some points from my experience to your evaluation of retirement villages.
You are right about the cost of an apartment in a village being much cheaper than an apartment in the suburb one lives in. In our village appliances like fridge, stove, washing machine and dryer, and air-conditioning were all included in the price of the apartment. These appliances may not be included in all villages.
While you have pointed out the DMF which could be 30- 35%, may I mention the recurrent fees one pays for the upkeep of the village which includes maintenance of the buildings, gardens, general cleaning of common areas, cleaning of external windows, maintenance of lifts, air-conditioning units, appliances, Council rates, water, gas, electricity of common areas, etc.
All in all, an apartment in a village is still a good deal because the retiree does not have to worry about maintenance which we found as we became older, quite onerous.
When exiting, there is a cost of returning the unit to its former condition. Capital gains on sale vary from village to village. Some villages give 50% capital gains, while others give 100% to the retiree or their estate.
As is suggested it is very important to get advice before you buy. Consult a lawyer well versed in Retirement Village law and an accountant to scrutinize the costs and affordability.