Upon retirement, many Americans move to a distant locale with a warmer climate. But that could prove a lonely mistake if it means they’re far away from friends and family.

“When you retire, you won’t want to be 10 states away from the people you love or the activities you most enjoy,” says Jen Lara, a seasoned life coach in Maryland who counts many retirees among her clientele.

Before they buy a property in a faraway state or country, she urges retirees to carefully think through their priorities for what’s likely to be the final active chapter of their lives.

“Retirement is the time to do new things you’ve always wanted to do,” says Lara, who’s affiliated with the International Coach Federation (coachfederation.org).

The advantage of working with a trained life coach is that such a person can help you knock down psychological barriers that could needlessly limit your options to shape a rewarding and fulfilling retirement.

“A good life coach can help (people) get beyond these emotional limitations so they can pivot to new ways of living,” Lara says.

Here are a few other pointers for retirees who intend to move:

-- Think about airport access.

Ronald Phipps, a longtime real estate broker in Rhode Island, urges retirees planning a move to factor airport access into their selection of a community. Living within a 50- to 60-mile radius of a major airport typically means cheaper flights and greater ease of travel -- important factors for many retired people.

“Also, your friends and family will probably visit more often if you have good air service,” says Phipps, a former president of the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org).

-- Factor finances into your planning.

Jeffrey Wuorio, a personal finance specialist and author, says many older people underestimate their expected life spans, as well as the financial wherewithal they’ll need to cover their expenses for all the years they’re likely to live.

“Research shows that if you and your spouse have already lived to age 60, at least one of you can expect to live to at least 90. That means you will need substantial savings for a comfortable lifestyle going forward,” says Wuorio, author of “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Retirement Planning.”

To address the financial element of their retirement planning, he suggests that empty nesters consider selling a large family house to reduce their energy costs, as well as their property tax and upkeep burdens. He says many retirees discover that living in a smaller place is surprisingly pleasant.

-- Plan a lengthy stay in any distant location where you might move.

As Wuorio says, people considering moving to a distant area are wise to spend some time there before buying property in the community. That could help you avoid a costly mistake.

“It’s a great idea to take a vacation to any town where you might buy a home. Or consider taking a temporary rental there before buying,” he says.

One helpful way to learn about a new area is to strike up conversations with local residents, asking about opportunities to pursue your personal interests in the community -- such as boating, hiking or volunteering. You may also want to ask about local educational options, including the chance to take classes or attend lectures at a local college or university.

“Planning your personal activities for retirement is just as important as saving enough money to make your lifestyle viable,” Wuorio says.

-- Consider available health care resources.

In terms of quality medical facilities, Wuorio stresses that most retirees make many more medical visits than do younger adults.

“Make sure there are good clinics and hospitals in your area,” he says.

To whom can you turn to help familiarize you with medical facilities in a distant community where you might move? Clearly, friends or family members already living in the new area could help. But Wuorio suggests you might also wish to connect with area residents who happen to be alumni of the same schools or universities you attended.

-- Don’t rule out buying a smaller place in the same area where you now live.

One potential option for retirement-age homebuyers is to downsize within the same metro area where they have established friendships.

With more time on their hands, many retirees find that friendships have a deeper meaning than before, Wuorio says. And many older people who move to a distant locale for retirement find it hard to make new friends.

“Unless you’re a person who has a knack for making new friends quickly, you could be better off moving within the same area where you now live rather than moving far away -- no matter how good the climate in some dream destination,” he says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

A couple in their late 60s adored the colonial-style house they’d owned for more than 30 years. But after the husband developed muscular dystrophy, they were compelled to move to a condo, selling their beloved property to fund their retirement.

Like many boomers forced to downsize, this couple would have greatly preferred to age in place. In fact, they dragged out the selling process for months, rebuffing potential purchasers who didn’t suit their fancy until they grudgingly accepted an offer from an especially tenacious pair.

Why do many older people let go of a family home only when it’s absolutely imperative?

Many housing experts believe that America -- long known for a high level of geographic mobility -- is fast becoming a nation of nesters. Statistics seem to bear that out. Data from the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org) show that average owners now stay in their homes for more than nine years, a jump from six years before the real estate downturn of 2008.

Todd Teta, a senior official at Attom Data Solutions (attomdata.com), which tracks real estate markets across the country, doesn’t know the couple in this true story. But he says their resistance to moving is understandable.

Teta, who has a background in mortgage lending, says one factor causing ambivalence about moving for boomers is that many older people still have exceptionally low-cost home loans.

“Mortgage rates are on the rise. So why move when your home is almost paid off?” he says.

The reluctance of older home sellers can make it hard for younger purchasers to negotiate their way to ownership of their place, says Tom Early, a longtime real estate broker who works solely with buyers.

“Some older sellers ... assume their property is worth more than it is and only consent to an offer when forced to,” says Early, the former president of the National Association of Exclusive Buyer Agents (naeba.org).

Here are a few pointers for buyers on dealing with difficult sellers from any generation:

-- Determine how eager the owners are to sell.

How can you find out what’s spurred sellers to put their place on the market? Often, your agent can get answers by simply asking the sellers’ agent direct questions.

There are several reasons some owners may resist selling immediately. Perhaps they want their teenagers to finish high school before moving. Or maybe their custom-built house won’t be done for another seven or eight months.

How can you get less-than-eager sellers to bargain? As Early says, one strategy is to volunteer a late closing date in exchange for a slight price reduction.

-- Consider using a delaying tactic to deal with defiant sellers.

As Early notes, many sellers have their egos tied up with the sale of their property. That can cause them to overplay their hand, even when they have a pressing need to sell. For example, they might make a counterproposal to your first offer with a 24-hour “take it or leave it” provision.

Should you reply to such a challenge on their terms? Not necessarily, says Early. In fact, failing to answer immediately could be an effective way to bring them down to earth on price. He calls this tactic the “walk-away.”

Disappearing from negotiations won’t cause unmotivated sellers to yield on price. But it could prompt motivated sellers to take a serious second look at your latest offer, especially if their property has languished unsold for a lengthy time and they’ve gotten no other bids.

“Psychologically, by taking away their candy for just five or 10 hours longer than they expected, you make them sweat enough to stop taking your interest for granted,” Early says.

-- Realize that some sellers will simply never compromise.

Early, who’s been in the real estate business for several decades, says he can tell immediately when his clients fall in love with a home.

“As soon as they walk into the right house, their eyes light up. They become excited. ... For most people, home selection is a highly emotional thing,” he says.

But what should you do if the owners of a home demand a price you know to be excessive, and all attempts to negotiate seem futile? Then Early recommends you let go of the property and begin seeking another immediately.

“Climb back into the saddle. The odds are that eventually you’ll find an even better house for a fair price,” Early says.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)

Memories of the real estate meltdown a decade ago are still fresh in the minds of many home sellers. While housing analysts aren't predicting a repeat anytime soon, they caution homeowners -- who've also witnessed a strong sellers' market in recent years -- against arrogance.

At the Washington, D.C., office of the National Association of Realtors (realtor.org), chief economist Lawrence Yun is beginning to cite "buyer pullbacks" in some neighborhoods across the U.S. Meanwhile, the supply of unsold homes -- once extraordinarily tight -- is gradually increasing.

"Home prices are, on average, rising at a slower and healthier pace," Yun says.

Sid Davis, an independent Utah real estate broker, says many housing markets are becoming more balanced between buyers and sellers.

"Real estate is still neighborhood-driven. A desirable home in a great neighborhood can still attract multiple offers. But generally speaking, the pace of sales is slowing," says Davis, the author of "A Survival Guide to Selling a Home."

He stresses that now -- as always -- the most successful sellers are those who empower themselves through feedback from the prospects who visit their place.

"If you hear your visitors hate your paint colors or that the house is cramped with too much furniture, it's time to make immediate changes while your listing is still fresh," Davis says.

The good news for sellers is that it's often easy to garner seller reactions.

"Most buyers tip their hands. Just listen carefully and you'll pick up clues that could prove incredibly useful when you're trying to reach a deal," says Ashley Richardson, a Maryland real estate agent affiliated with the Residential Real Estate Council (crs.com).

"I'm amazed how willing some buyers are to blurt out whatever comes to mind about a house and to do so freely. Yet that way they forfeit a lot of their bargaining power," says Richardson, who sells property through the Long & Foster realty company.

"Sharp sellers and their agents raise their antenna to pick up buyer interest. One of the biggest clues is how long the people stay in a property when they come for a visit. Anything over 20 minutes is a strong indicator they like your home. If they hate it, they'll bolt out of there in less than five minutes," Davis says.

Here are a few pointers for sellers:

-- Take notice of the comments your visitors make.

If you're home during a showing, Davis says you should stay attuned to the visitors' comments and seek to accurately interpret their remarks -- including the nuances.

"People don't always say what they mean when they see your house. Often, it's quite the reverse. For example, some people will gush on and on about the lovely furniture in a home they absolutely hate. They do that to be nice and not offend you," he says.

Remarkably, those who lack any serious interest in a home are usually the most friendly and polite. Yet those most likely to bid for the place may often be more judgmental about features they don't like.

Davis urges owners to avoid taking personally any minor complaints about their home. Rather, they should use the feedback from serious prospects to help shape a deal more to their liking -- perhaps by offering an allowance to cover the cost of minor upgrades.

-- Notice possible signs of buyer "attachment."

Buyers with a strong interest in a property often begin communicating this on their first visit. They start making what real estate agents call "possessive comments."

"People who start placing their furniture in your house are definitely gaining an attachment to the house. This is a sign they're starting to identify with the place and to picture themselves living there," Davis says.

For instance, they'll try to imagine how their sofa would look in the living room and whether their king bed would fit in the master bedroom.

-- Pay attention to reactions from all involved in the buying decision.

Multiple decades of experience in real estate have taught Davis to avoid preconceptions about who within a family will prove most influential in choosing a home.

"Don't make the mistake of thinking it's always the wife who makes the home-buying decisions. Sometimes it's the husband who has more influence," he says.

-- Ensure that your listing agent conveys buyer feedback.

It's not always possible -- nor recommended -- for owners to be present during showings. Your listing agent may also be absent when showings occur. Still, your agent can gather feedback by calling the agent representing the buyers.

Although buyers are rarely candid about their reactions to a property in the presence of its owners, most agents are truthful with each other when buyers lack interest in a place.

"If the buyers thought your place was a dump and hated the floor plan, you'll be sure to hear about it -- though not in those words," Davis says.

-- Don't assume buyer compliments will predict an offer.

Perhaps you're confident that people who've toured your home are extremely interested. And maybe you've heard they're under pressure to move in time for their teenager to enroll in advanced placement classes at the local high school.

But Richardson warns it's risky to take your prospects for granted, even if they seem extremely motivated. For example, you wouldn't want to make a counter-offer just to gain a tiny advantage on price or terms.

(To contact Ellen James Martin, email her at ellenjamesmartin@gmail.com.)