Described herein is a method for conducting real estate transactions wherein the sheltering and care of an individual is ensured for the remainder of the individual' s life. The method includes the offering of a residence unit for sale by a provider, the purchase of the residence unit for a fixed price by an individual, the individual living in the residence unit and receiving required care from the provider for the remainder of his or her life, and the return of the residence unit to the provider in exchange for a payment made to the resident' s estate. Various types of residence units and care may be provided and the financial terms of the method may be structured in various ways.