I
often hear from clients who are worried about their parents (or themselves)
when it comes to living in their home through their retirement years. There are lots of reasons why a dream home
can become a retirement nightmare as we age.
From safety issues to neighborhood concerns, there are numerous factors
which impact whether or not a home is ideal as we get older. 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 a 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
as a neighborhood improved or declined in recent years? What’s projected to happen in the next
10? 20?
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 but a fraction of the full list, but a good place to begin thinking about
the years ahead. I love helping home
owners evaluate properties with an eye on getting the most out of retirement.
If you’re
interested in a free consultation with these issues (and more!) in mind, please
don’t hesitate to me today: Call me at 850-814-8259 or Visit www.BrookSellsPC.com
