Finding the Perfect Home to Age Gracefully With

As my Clients grow older and closer to retirement, they become more concerned about their ability to live in their home through their retirement years.  There are more reasons than one that a dream home can become a retirement nightmare as we began to age.  From safety issues to neighborhood concerns, there are a number of factors that can impact whether or not a home is perfect as we grow older.  Here are a few things to consider:

1. Falling / slipping hazards.  Are bathrooms designed with mobility challenges in mind?  Are the surfaces we once loved (hardwood, tile, concrete) now slipping hazards?

2. Accessibility.  Is a second story practical?  Will stairs become a painful hassle in years ahead?

3. Entrapment.  Could locks in the house be inadvertently engaged, trapping an older resident in a back bedroom or bathroom without access to medicine or lines of communication?

4. Right-sizing. Is the home still appropriate for the number of residents?  Will it be a maintenance or upkeep hassle now that kids or spouses may no longer be in the house?

5. Neighborhood safety.  How has a neighborhood improved or declined in recent years?  What’s projected to happen in the next 10 years?  20 years?

6. Walkability. Are you planning to keep and drive a car as you age?  How close are grocery stores, drug stores, hospitals, entertainment venues, and restaurants?  Are you in a relatively isolated area?  How close do you want your neighbors to be?

This is just a fraction of the full list, but a good place to begin when thinking about the years ahead.  I love helping home owners evaluate properties with an eye on getting the most out of their retirement.

If you’re interested in a free consultation with these issues (and others) in mind, please don’t hesitate to call me today at (909) 476-9600.