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Age in Place in your Parker, CO Home

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Real Estate Agent with Bandy Homes

granny,cookFor some people, moving to a new home is almost a rite of passage when the last kid leaves home, retirement comes, or health deteriorates.  The home with the two acre lot, the spiral staircase, and huge storage space can lose its appeal when the urge to downsize, simplify, and "de-step" the house takes over.  In many cases, this is a great idea; in fact, in the Denver area, communities for mature active adults often feature ranch style housing with no lawn responsibilities and plenty of activities on site.

Some senior developments are transit oriented developments (TOD's), whole communities built around transit lines. TOD's are proving to be a perfect solution for those who hope to make one last move that will provide comfortable, hassle-free shelter for their remaining decades of life.  With shopping nearby and reliable, and easily accessible transportation nearby, planned transit oriented communities can also limit dependence on government-subsidized transportation and meal delivery, while allowing seniors to remain independent longer.  Seniors, along with childless couples and others who want the perfect blend of compact housing and convenience are the major demographic groups expected to assure the popularity and expansion of TOD communities.

Other people are equally adamant that they want to keep their homes - all their memories are there, they can maintain it, etc., so why move?  Assuming that the home is one they can safely continue to live in, they may decide to "age in place" and renovate the home they love so they can continue to live there independently.

High end renovations might include putting in a first floor bathroom or transforming a first floor den into a bedroom.  A tasteful ramp that blends into the exterior landscape might be added for easier access to the home.  Small improvements that incorporate "universal design" principles can be made.  Such things as putting in lever-style door knobs and faucet handles, moving outlets higher off the ground and light switches lower, and adding kitchen counters with different heights can make the home easier to live in for aging residents and make the home resalable to a growing segment of the market. 

"Aging in place" consulting is a booming new industry.   Firms such as Safe Aging of Florida assess homeowners' needs and abilities and  make recommendations on how to make living space more convenient, safe, and comfortable.  Lifease of Minnesota takes the process to the next level and identifies potential suppliers who can implement the suggested solutions.

Retrofitting a home for aging in place can be a costly venture; as is true with anyone debating whether to renovate or move, the homeowner must decide which option is better.  Some homes, even if adapted for better access, are not good candidates for renovation. The Bandy Home Team will help you understand your options.   We can show you some of the new TODs built for convenience as well as many other elder-friendly properties in Parker, Aurora, or other Denver-area communities.

Marianne Bandy

Denver Metro Real Estate

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