The “experts” are telling us that you may have to wait from nine to 14 years to see pricing return to the “pre-bubble” (pre-recession) days. Ask yourself this, “Can you afford or do you wish to stay at home and continue to pay your mortgage, real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance, (both indoor and out), repairs, utilities, homeowners association dues, security and housekeeping for the next nine to 14 years?” Are you willing to chance forgoing the capital gains tax credit currently available to sellers of primary residences ($250,000 for singles, $500,000 for couples) which is under considerable scrutiny for future legislation?

For those of you holding off on your retirement plans to move into a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), now may be a better time to move forward than at any time in the recent past. Again, according to the “experts,” your home’s value may not return to pre-recession levels for many years to come. Some optimists are estimating 2016-2017, while others, such as Suze Orman, are predicting as far out as 2025. Standard & Poor’s Case-Shiller Home Price Index, tells us that home prices are now higher than they were back in 2001, when the housing bubble first began inflating. When the bubble burst in 2007, it sent those artificially high prices spiraling downward to today’s levels. Yet today’s values are actually very close to the level they would have obtained has there not been an inflated “bubble.”

Banking analyst and frequent contributor to CNBC, Fox Business and Bloomberg News, Meredith Whitney, was quoted in March as saying, “Banks are resuming their foreclosure process, so you’ll see more properties coming on the market that will have a significant pressure on your home prices. Home prices will be down another 8 percent to 10 percent in the next 12 months.” (And of course, you understand that just because YOUR home is not in foreclosure, that your home price is not affected. Rather any foreclosure in your neighborhood or on your block, pulls down the value of every home on the street!)

Zillow.com in May 2010 said, “We believe the housing market is close to reaching a bottom in terms of home values, but we don’t believe it is there yet. We think the bottom will come in the third quarter of 2010, followed by three to five years of negligible appreciation.” In February Zillow.com stated, “We believe it will still be some time (possibly three to five years) before home values begin appreciating at normal levels of between 2 percent and 4 percent annually. In the interim, we’ll see home values stay fairly flat.” Looking to the future, now that corrective measures are nearly complete, if future growth trends are consistent with past ones, homes will not be worth what they were in 2006 and early 2007 for approximately 10 more years. There is little reason to expect home prices to “bounce back” to their price peaks of a few years ago; instead, it is much more reasonable to expect a long, steady climb.

While home resale values have fallen sharply the past few years, it is interesting to note that the median home resale value today is almost exactly where someone would have reasonably projected it to be 15 years ago. So, if you have owned your home for at least 15 years or longer, you have not actually “lost” money on your home. The value has simply returned to a level consistent with long-term trends. The skyrocketing housing prices of 2005 and 2006 were an anomaly created by the explosion of mortgage-backed securities, which led to widespread lending without properly qualifying buyers.

For active adults 65 and older who understand the benefits of moving to a retirement community, now IS the time to put their homes on the market. Most communities have available apartments and cottages, and the laws of “Supply and Demand” are currently very favorable for folks considering a move. But this situation will not last. Within the next five years, as the number of Baby Boomers (born between 1943 and 1960) reaching retirement age increases, the demand for retirement community housing for these same Boomers will increase substantially.

As of Jan. 1, 10,000 baby boomers a day started turning 65. According to the Pew Research Center, this trend will continue for the next 19 years. Unfortunately, the number of retirement communities will likely not keep pace with the demand. Due to the reluctance of banks to lend during an economic downturn, very few new Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) are being developed. Communities that are moving toward development typically take five or more years to construct and open, which translates to a point in the next few years where people seeking CCRCs will exceed availability. And you know what that means – prices will increase. It’s the law of supply and demand.
(Just some food for thought as you hunker down in your family home………….)

Now may actually be one of the best times to put your home on the market and move into the retirement community of your choice; waiting for “a year or two” for your home to “regain” the inflated, distorted prices from 2006 is simply not realistic. From 1970 until almost 2000, real estate values increased at a very consistent rate. From 2000 until 2003, resale values began to increase significantly faster than the long-term trends, culminating in the dramatic increases experienced in 2006. Today’s home values have returned to the slow and steady increases consistent with past trends. No more jack rabbit spikes, no more roller coaster pricing….just a slow and steady climb described as the first “normal year since the real estate bubble burst.”

So, if you are considering placing your home on the market to prepare for a move to a retirement community, quite simply, you no longer have a reason to wait.

The team — Cynthia Schuette of Riverwalk Restaurant, Randy Epps of Colonial Heritage and Jonathan Redcross of Windsor Meade — captured the judges’ attention with an appetizer of rockfish with succotash and an entrée of duck with sweet-potato risotto.

Each team was given a mystery basket of ingredients that included rockfish, beef, duck, red quinoa, okra and tomatoes, to name a few.

Competing against the blue team were the white team, made up of Gary Woolard of Season’s Restaurant, David McClure of Berret’s Seafood Restaurant and Tim Reardon of Great Wolf Lodge, and the red team, made up of James Anakalea from Kingsmill, Logan Paster of the Williamsburg Inn and Scott Hoyland of Blue Talon Bistro.

Before the competition began, guests enjoyed tastings of signature dishes from several restaurants. The lineup included a coffee-rubbed smoked beef brisket from Opus 9, coquilles St. Jacques from Le Yaca, profiteroles with brie and herbs from Kingsmill Resort and shellfish ceviche from Second Street.

November 17, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Williamsburg, Virginia receives Partnership of the Year Award from Genesis Healthcare to reinforce their joint mission to provide optimum health care services to older adults.

Delivering all levels of occupational, physical and speech therapy, Genesis Rehabilitation Services clinical staff is an integral part the WindsorMeade team. Specialized training enables therapists to provide care to patients and residents with complex diagnoses, helping them to overcome deficits that result from illness, disease, disability, injury, surgery or the aging process
“It’s such an honor to be presented with the Genesis Partner of the Year award. It supports the work of both organizations to strive for excellence in senior living services and provide caring and innovative solutions to improve the health of older adults”, stated Marilyn Gladding, Executive Director of WindsorMeade.

“We believe our strong partnership promotes the Genesis mission to provide exemplary rehabilitation services to clients. Jointly, we work together to maintain the first-rate quality of care offered at WindsorMeade and we hope to continue this important association for many years to come”, said Frances Jones, Area Director of Genesis Rehab Services.

About WindsorMeade of Williamsburg

WindsorMeade of Williamsburg is an active 62+ Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) for persons seeking vibrant, life-fulfilling retirement with the support of all levels of health care assistance in one location. For more information, go to www.windsormeade.org

About Genesis HealthCare Corporation

Genesis HealthCare Corporation is one of the nation ‘ s largest long term care providers with over 200 skilled nursing centers and assisted living residences in 13 eastern states. Genesis also supplies contract rehabilitation therapy to over 900 healthcare providers in 23 states and the District of Columbia.

Contact: kleach@vumh.org
Phone: 757-941-3614

November 12, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) in Williamsburg, Virginia partnered with Corporate Fitness Works to design a cutting-edge exercise facility, including procurement of state-of-the art TechnoGymTM equipment that features SmartKey technology; making it truly a one-of-a kind CCRC based fitness facility in the state of Virginia.
“Creating an environment for senior living that successfully inspires active aging and satisfies all realms of one’s personal well-being requires innovative solutions in wellness facilities and program design”, explained Robin Page, Assistant Executive Director.

As a very active retirement community, WindsorMeade fosters an active aging lifestyle unified through their Living Links to Wellness TM program; where residents are linked to the best in choices, resources and opportunities that inspire physical fitness while stimulating one’s intellectual, social, emotional, vocational and spiritual wellness.

Today, Corporate Fitness Works engages residents in the program by providing ongoing management for the WindsorMeade wellness center.   Inspiring residents to participate in regular physical activity, Corporate Fitness Works professionals implement innovative programs and services with personalized care. This has proven successful for WindsorMeade, not only through innovation in design, but also in sustaining optimal health and fitness status among an aging population.

To produce evidence based results that support program success, Corporate Fitness Works hosted a voluntary case study observing resident health and fitness improvements found in conjunction with their participation in programs and services. The six-month study followed participation habits of a controlled group of residents; 43% male and 57% female, average age 77. Pre and post functional fitness assessments were conducted by the fitness team to measure changes in health and fitness indicators that were then analyzed against participation habits. The measured outcomes were significant as 95% of participants either maintained or increased their fitness level by participating in wellness center services provided by the Corporate Fitness Works team. Additionally, 100% maintained resting heart rate and blood pressure at healthy/desirable levels according to ACSM guidelines. 72% decreased or maintained BMI, and 76% increased lower body strength in chair sit to stand assessment.

This profound evidence supports program success for sustaining quality of life among an aging population; where health status and functional fitness have a tendency to decline. The majority of individuals in this study were able to off-set that response by participating in the wellness center programs and services, actually maintaining and/or improving vital health and functional fitness indicators.

October 1, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, an active continuing care retirement community in Williamsburg, Virginia recently held an exclusive premier party for the launch of WindsorMeade TV, a web-based production showcasing the community’s residents, staff and amenities.

Many residents of WindsorMeade remember the Golden Era of television pioneered by luminaries like Edward R. Murrow and legendary “Mr. Tuesday Night”, Milton Berle. It was an exciting time in a fledgling industry – the beginning of “appointment” television and America’s love affair with the small screen.

“Now, there is a new era of television accessed via the web—think Hulu.com, and even mainstream networks like CBS and NBC—who are opting to launch programming online,” explained Kate Leach, Director of Marketing at WindsorMeade.  “Knowing that a growing number of seniors and adult children are now utilizing the internet, we decided to tap into that information delivery vehicle and allow guests to get up-close and personal with our community via customized “channels” of information they can access 24-hours-a day.”

The production behind the technology involved filming residents, staff and the landscape of the community, stringing together testimonials and eye-catching images to create the story of WindsorMeade.  Jeff Smith of Oasis Films (www.oasisfilms.com) directed, produced and edited the creation that can be found at www.windsormeadetv.org.

September 13, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, an active continuing care retirement community in Williamsburg, Virginia held a special exhibit for residents and staff to celebrate the opening of their very own art gallery.

“With so many talented artists among the residents of WindsorMeade, it seemed a great way to reinforce the idea that retirees can continue to pursue their creative interests at any age, and even embark on new ones, “explained Marilyn Gladding, Executive Director.

The gallery space will feature rotating art exhibits every four to six weeks where area and resident artists will have an opportunity to showcase their work to all who walk the halls of WindsorMeade.

The opening exhibit is the work of Richmond-based artist Brenda Bickerstaff-Stanley. Her paintings reflect travels most recently to Africa, Italy and England, and her passion for painting and response to colors compel her to pick up the brush, and capture a moment in time.

Ms. Angela Love, Lifestyles Manager opened the celebration by introducing Ms. Bickerstaff-Stanley to the crowd, who offered a brief description of the displayed works and her philosophy on art.

Love concluded the gathering by reinforcing the importance of creativity through art and stressing the different forms artistic expression can take. Future exhibits will vary in theme and content, and many will feature the work of WindsorMeade resident artists.

February 23, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, an active, Continuing Care Retirement Community in Williamsburg, Virginia is excited to support the talents of its own “Iron Chef”, Mr. Jonathan Redcross.

In February of 2009, WARA hosted their first ever Iron Chef Competition. The success of that event prompted them to do it again in 2010, and make it even better–the goal being to showcase local talent and gain recognition for the Association.

This year, on Thursday March 4, at the Williamsburg Lodge, WindsorMeade’s Jonathan Redcross will be competing to claim WARA Iron Chef Glory. Chef Redcross has trained in the kitchens of world famous Celebrity Chef Emeril Lagasse and brings a combination of unique talent and extensive experience in culinary creations.

The Iron Chef competition will be similar to what is seen on many of the top-rated cooking shows on television, but with a twist. There will be three cooking teams consisting of three chefs from area dining venues. The twist: Each team will have to work together to create a single entrée from the items provided in a mystery basket. The entrées will be judged on presentation, taste and creativity.

The Wine and Food Expo portion of the evening will showcase an extensive selection of wines as well as a handful of specialty dishes from local WARA restaurants. The date of the event will be Thursday March 4, from 6:00-9:00 pm. Advance tickets are $50 per person, $90 per couple and are available by calling: 221-6835 or going online to www.WilliamsburgAreaRestaurants.com. Tickets purchased at the door are $60 per person, $110 per couple.

January 13, 2010 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, an active, Continuing Care Retirement Community in Williamsburg, Virginia received licensure from the Virginia Department of Health to begin admitting residents to its nursing facility. Admissions for both current residents and eligible individuals from outside the community begin January 18.

“We are so pleased and excited to offer our residents the full spectrum of health care a Continuing Care Retirement Community provides– from active, independent living, to assisted living and now nursing facility services”, announced Marilyn Gladding, Executive Director. “Our residents can have complete peace of mind as they move through their retirement years, knowing all aspects of their health and well being are supported by highly trained professionals, in a dignified and caring setting.”

The WindsorMeade of Williamsburg nursing facility encompasses 12 private residences with private bathrooms in beautifully appointed surroundings. Each residence is furnished and provided with telephone access, a television, and cable programming.

WindsorMeade of Williamsburg also offers an array of lifestyle and healthcare amenities designed to complement each resident’s personal preferences, including spa services, gardening, choices in dining venues and culinary specialties, and a variety of planned outings and activities– just to name a few.
“With the opening of our nursing facility, we will continue to deliver the finest services that allow residents to live and recuperate in a warm and tranquil environment. Most important, as healthcare needs change, we are there to provide expertise and comfort every step along the way”, said Gladding.

Special flag-raising ceremony

October 30, 2009 – Williamsburg, VA – WindsorMeade of Williamsburg, an active, Continuing Care Retirement Community in Williamsburg, Virginia held a special flag-raising ceremony for residents and staff to launch the newly obtained American flag along with the state flag of Virginia, and the WindsorMeade community flag.

Ms. Robin Page, Assistant Executive Director opened the ceremony with a group prayer. Next, two United States Marines raised the American Flag under the appreciative gaze of WindsorMeade residents and staff. The Williamsburg Field Musick Fifes and Drums followed with a stirring rendition of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.

Much thought and dedication went into the ceremony which honored present and past military heroes and their families. Mr. John Bidwell was one of the resident attendees and stood at attention as the audience honored all the Veterans within the WindsorMeade family. “After serving in two wars; the Second World War and the Korean War, I know firsthand how meaningful it is to be recognized for defending my country, and this ceremony was a moving tribute to us all.”

Marilyn Gladding, Executive Director, wrapped up the presentation by reminding everyone of the historic symbolism behind the American Flag—from the 50 stars which represent each of the states, to the 13 stripes depicting the original colonies that proudly rebelled against the British monarchy to form our union. “The American flag is our nation’s most widely recognized symbol. And throughout the world, it is regarded not only as an emblem, but as an ideology we will fight and all too often die for. Today, we raise it in a salute to you; the men and women of our military who have indeed fought that brave fight so that we may have our freedom.”