With a white-hot real estate market, the time to transition to different digs is here! Sell high, buy high. More options should become available as boomers sell the family home or first empty nest home. Where should we go? Adult community with activities and others to socialize with? Near family? Your favorite locale? Certainly, with the changes we have made in the past year we have reflected on what is truly important to us. My clients have decided on comfortable chairs and ergonomic workspaces no matter what age! Swivel rockers and reclining chairs from contemporary to traditional are in demand! AND if you want it all perfect you may be building a new home in your old age! Why compromise in the years when you will be at home the most and may have special needs? Find a good team and create the best age-in-place environment for healthier living.

Make your home more fire resistant if you are building in a location that is fire prone.  These considerations can give you peace of mind if drought or forest fire management continue to be an issue.

• Stucco walls with no open seams
• Aluminum doors and windows
• Class A fire-resistant roof – no roof vents
• Concrete pavers and tile on the patio
• If you are using wood outside ipe (Brazilian walnut) and other options are fire resistant
• Steel for outside stairways
• Tempered glass withstanding temperatures up to 450 degrees

 Of course, these materials are more expensive but may well be worth it!

Here’s a checklist of details that will improve your home.

1.  Replace old toilets with more efficient low water use and soft close lids.  The plumber can do this.  Use the same color as the sinks in the space.  Kohler and Toto are both good options.  Washlets are popular and require added electrical to the toilet area.
2. Dark or small spaces – neutral or light walls are very in and make the space lighter and bigger.  Warm up the color if the ceilings are 10’ or more.

3. Update recessed cans to take advantage of smaller cans with more efficient bulbs for general illumination in your home.  Fluorescents can be used in utility areas but find bulbs that simulate natural light.
4. Level the floor to eliminate sunken spaces. They are a safety hazard.
5. If the popcorn isn’t gone off the ceiling, it should be!
6. Cabinetry hardware is easy to update if the knob or handle fits the same hole(s).
7. Old cabinets can be painted and a vessel sink added to low cabinets to bring the height up to 36” that is now standard.
8. Paint the garage floor with epoxy.  It will be light and clean!
9. Tile countertops should be replaced with cleaner solid tops (no grout) and get your showers updated. Both can require coordination with several contractors so you may need a general contractor to oversee the project.