(NC) As more boomers become empty nesters and retirees, new opportunities are available for the “right-sizing” trend that allows them to move to spaces that are a better fit.

An exciting new downsizing option for active individuals is land lease. If you're looking to unlock the money tied up in your current house, or to purchase a new home without a big capital investment, land lease allows you to purchase the home and lease the land it sits on. Here are five other advantages of right-sizing into a land lease:

1. Free up cash from your current home. Land leasing is an affordable home ownership model, meaning you'll have access to the money you make through the downsizing process and the freedom to do what you want with it. Many land lease owners become snowbirds or frequent travellers, purchase nearby golf memberships or their dream car or boat, or simply create more retirement savings.

2. Join a vibrant community. Some land lease neighbourhoods are specifically designed as lifestyle communities. For example, Parkbridge Communities offer shared amenities like indoor and outdoor pools, fitness classes, and walking and biking paths that allow residents to maintain a fun and healthy active lifestyle throughout retirement. Homeowners' associations organize dinners, dances, golf tournaments and other activities that encourage social connectivity and friendships.

3. Achieve peace of mind. Safety and security are top priorities for home owners, and only become more important if you're a snowbird or away for vacation often. As a land lease homeowner, you won't have to worry with services like home watch security and mail collection that help hold down the fort when you're out of town.

4. Enjoy more free time. A common complaint about maintaining a larger home is that it's too much work. With a land lease, you'll receive property management services that cover snow shoveling, lawn moving and care, and other home ownership tasks. This lets you spend your golden years focusing on the important things in life rather than daily unwanted responsibilities.

5. Lower monthly housing costs. You deserve financial freedom after years of hard work, and reducing the money you spend just to keep your home afloat goes a long way towards that.

Find more information at www.parkbridge.com.

www.newscanada.com