By Kelly A. Shue
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

“We liked Riderwood a lot, but we were not ready to move in 2003,” says Bill Muldoon who moved there with his wife Marion three years later from Smith Mountain Lake, Va. “When we found out about the priority list we thought it was a win-win decision. We had nothing to lose.”

Acting as a waiting list, Riderwood’s priority list enables people to reserve their place in line for the home they want without having any time constraints placed on their decision-making process.

The Muldoons found the priority list provided them flexibility by allowing them to make decisions that were best for them. In their case, when an apartment home became available before they were ready to move, they were able to pass on the apartment and still maintain their place in line.

The priority list also provided them stability in knowing their future home was secure.

Enjoying some stability
In the midst of a less stable economy and rising prices on many consumer goods, that stability is a strong motivator for people looking to retire. In the last six months, 122 people have joined the priority list at Riderwood.

In addition to providing home stability, the priority list provides financial security as well. The entire $1,000 deposit, less the $150 application fee, is completely refundable. “We’ve told our children to think about getting on the priority list now so they won’t have to worry about having a place to move when they decide to retire,” says Earl Davis, who moved to Riderwood with his wife Claudia in October 2006.

“The good thing about getting on the priority list is that if you change your mind as to where you want to go, you can still have the same date. And the deposit is refundable if, for some reason, you can’t or don’t move in,” he says.

Reaping the benefits
Aside from the harder-hitting benefits of economic stability, Riderwood  Retirement Counselor Sally Sager says priority list members get special privileges too.