Planning a Home for Now and the Future

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Retirement does not mean the same thing to everyone. Chesterfield couple, Ernie and Lou O’Boyle, recently decided to move from their 1500 square foot condo to their 2600 square foot newly constructed home. The O’Boyle’s are at the time in life when people begin thinking about where they want to live through retirement but for them it didn’t necessarily mean downsizing or slowing down. They love to travel, entertain, and host family and friends for extended stays. But they know that one day they will opt for a slower pace. So, they needed a home that would accommodate their needs now and later. DCI recently asked Lou and Ernie about what they considered when making decisions about their new home. While the O’Boyle’s opted to build, many of the features they chose could be implemented into an existing home.

 

What did you consider when selecting features for a home that will likely be your home through retirement?

“We started by sitting down and talking through what we wanted life to be like for us. We then identified features in a home that would support the life we wanted.” (Lou and Ernie’s wish list and the choices they made to make those wishes become reality in their home is below. DCI added how an existing home could be modified to include these features as well.)

Wish: We wanted to be independent as long as possible.

Choice: First level living

Existing home modification: Is there a room that could be converted into a bedroom? An office, sunroom or even a dining room – with the addition of a closet – could work really well.

 

Wish: We have a lot of friends and family that come to visit.

Choice: Comfortable separate space for our guests upstairs

Existing home modification – Convert master bedroom to guest room upstairs and convert a room downstairs to a bedroom or add a master onto the first level.

 

Wish: We wanted to be able to close the door and go.

Choice: A maintenance free community

Existing home modification – Establish an ongoing contract with a local yard and home maintenance businesses.

 

Wish: We wanted a real sense of community.

Choice – A neighborhood that had the amenities to support community relationships (clubhouse, pool, walking trails, etc.)

Existing home modification – There really isn’t a modification here if your current neighborhood does not have these amenities.

 

What do you love about your home and think it will serve you well as you age and why?

  • The infinity shower – The infinity shower is stylish and yet would accommodate a wheelchair without any adaptation.
  • Pantry – The large walk in pantry puts everything within reach and supports my love of cooking.
  • Universal construction that provides wide hallways and doorways

What advice would you give others who may be thinking of building a new home or remodeling their current home to serve them through retirement?

“Begin by envisioning what you want life to be like and make the building / remodeling choices around that versus beginning with what you want the house to be like.”

 

If you or a family member is at the point of improving an existing home or building a new home for the future, contact us at DCI! We’ll help you DIY or we’ll do it for you!

 

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