Twin Cities · MN
Buying or Selling in a 55+ Community in the Twin Cities
What a 55+ community is
A 55+ community is a group of homes, usually townhomes, villas, condos or one-level association homes, where the association's own rules set an age requirement. In the Twin Cities these are most often owner-occupied homes run by a homeowners association.
I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help buyers and sellers in these communities across the Twin Cities. A home listed as 55+ is not the same as senior apartments or assisted living. Those are rentals or care, and they work very differently.
Talk to Lesley About 55+ Communities
How the age rule works
Federal fair housing law generally does not allow age limits on housing. The Housing for Older Persons Act creates an exemption for communities that qualify as housing for older persons.
To use that exemption, a 55+ community must meet three tests: at least 80 percent of the occupied homes have at least one resident who is 55 or older, the community publishes and follows policies that show it intends to be 55+ housing, and it verifies residents' ages. Each community writes its own details into its association documents, so two 55+ communities can have quite different rules.
This is general information, not legal advice. For a question about a specific community's rules, the association and an attorney are the right sources.
What to read before you make an offer
- The declaration and bylaws. These set the age rule, who else may live in the home, and how long guests may stay.
- The rules and regulations. These cover pets, parking, rentals, exterior changes and what you may plant or store.
- The budget and reserve study. These show what the dues pay for and whether the association is saving for roofs, siding and roads.
- Recent meeting minutes. These can show planned projects or special assessments before they reach your mailbox.
- The resale disclosure. In Minnesota, a seller in an association provides a resale disclosure certificate with these documents and the current dues.
We read these with you and flag anything that changes the cost of owning the home.
Questions to ask about the home itself
- Is the main living area on one level, including the primary bedroom, bathroom and laundry?
- What does the association maintain: lawn, snow removal, roof, siding, windows?
- How are the dues set, and how much have they changed in recent years?
- Has the association charged a special assessment recently, or is one planned?
- Are rentals allowed, and does that matter to you if your plans change?
Selling a home in a 55+ community
If you sell, the community's age rule shapes who can buy, so we price and market the home with that in mind. We confirm the rule in your association documents, order the resale disclosure early, and make sure every buyer and buyer's agent knows the requirements before they write an offer.
Many owners in these communities are also buying their next home. See our downsizing guide and what your home is worth.
Let's talk about your next move
Whether you are buying into a 55+ community or selling a home in one, we would be glad to help. No pressure and no obligation.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770. What questions do you have?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 55+ community in Minnesota?
It is a group of homes, usually owner-occupied townhomes, villas, condos or association homes, where the association's rules set an age requirement under the federal Housing for Older Persons Act exemption.
Does everyone in a 55+ community have to be 55 or older?
Not always. The federal exemption requires at least 80 percent of occupied homes to have at least one resident who is 55 or older. Each community sets its own rules for the other residents, so read its declaration and bylaws.
Can I buy in a 55+ community if I am younger than 55?
It depends on that community's rules and how many homes are already occupied by someone 55 or older. The association can tell you, and we check the documents with you before you make an offer.
Is a 55+ community the same as senior apartments or assisted living?
No. A 55+ community is usually homes you own in an association. Senior apartments are rentals, and assisted living includes care services.
What should I check before buying in a 55+ community?
Read the declaration, bylaws, rules, budget, reserve study and recent minutes, and ask about dues history and any special assessments. In Minnesota the seller provides a resale disclosure certificate with these documents.
Does a 55+ age rule affect the sale price of my home?
It narrows who can buy, which affects how we market the home. We price it from recent sales of comparable homes, including homes in similar communities, and make sure every buyer knows the age rule up front.