Picture this scenario – you have just finished what seems like a lifetime of work and are now ready to retire, but wait. What seemed like a dream has turned into a nightmare. Visions of movies of retirees sitting in a room alone waiting for people to visit them and now you’re really worried. Well, don’t worry anymore. That’s because one of the rising trends in real estate is the formation of retirement communities. As more and more baby boomers enter their retiring age, they have created affluent communities that reflect their interests. So now, you don’t have to worry about a poor retirement lifestyle. You can sit back and finally relax! Retirement communities are spreading throughout the country but they are especially popular in places that boast a sunny climate. These communities allow retired people access to recreational and social activities. Fantastic golf courses, dancing classes, and other fun activities are all available to you. Additionally, retirement communities ensure that retirees will be among their peers, so those old fears of being alone can be shed. When it comes to finding real estate in retirement communities, the prospective homebuyer has a number of options. Whether you desire owning property outright or want to take advantage of the freedom that comes with renting, it’s all up to you. The ultimate choice depends on the personality and desires of the prospective homebuyer but here are the pros and cons of the different ownership options available to you. From a home ownership perspective, the most complete form of ownership is equity ownership. This refers to a model in which retirees are able to purchase a condominium for sale in addition to a host of available services. For many homeowners, this enables them to benefit from the appreciation of the property’s value over time. While there are considerable financial benefits to home ownership, there is also a variety of responsibilities that come with it. The financial costs and responsibilities of maintenance ultimately fall to you. For those individuals who do not wish to have the responsibility of owning a home outright, there is also the possibility of renting a condominium under the entrance fee model. This involves the payment of an entry fee in addition to monthly rent. In exchange, the retiree receives extensive care, access to top-notch facilities and amenities and the freedom from the obligations that home ownership brings. As time goes on, retirement communities continue to grow in numbers and popularity. Whether you are looking for retirement communities for sale because you are looking for a home to live in or because you are real estate investing, you should know that this type of real estate is one of the fastest growing in the real estate industry.