Six Home Renovations to Consider Before Retiring

SeaBreeze

SeaBreeze

Endlessly Groovin'
Location
USA
I'm already retired and plan to stay in my home as long as possible, even if my husband passes before me and I live alone. I like the idea of making some things easier to access or use when I get older, especially if I have physical limitations, but in my case I definitely wouldn't want to spend too much money on any changes. Here's some ideas that may be helpful. http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs...consider-before-retirement?int=retirement-rec

Many retirees dream of selling their homes before retirement, either to downsize or to move to a warmer climate. But what if you're planning to stay in your home during retirement? Paying off your mortgage before you retire can boost your cash flow in retirement. Some pre-retirement renovations can also help you to stay in your home longer. Here are six home upgrades to consider:


1. Make your home accessible. Giving your home more accessibility can make it easier to remain in your home for decades to come. This could be as simple as replacing your doorknobs with door handles, which are easier for arthritic hands to turn. You could also add additional lighting to work areas, including your kitchen and bathroom vanities. More expensive upgrades include grab bars and lower toilets in the bathrooms as well as European-style walk-in showers that are big enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Sure, you may never need some of these upgrades, but they're best to have in place should they become necessary.

2. Add an income suite. With easy options for renting out space in your home, such as Airbnb, turning your home into an income property has never been easier. If you have the setup, consider turning your basement into a standalone apartment, which could bring in hundreds of dollars per month depending on rental rates in your area. If you don't have that kind of space, look at turning a guest bedroom and hallway bathroom into a suite that you can rent. Getting an income from your home could help you maintain a larger space during retirement.

3. Create comfortable guest space. Once the kids are out of the house, deciding what to do with the leftover space can be difficult. But if you plan to have your children, grandchildren and friends over to visit often, giving them comfortable guest space is important. It doesn't take much to turn a childhood bedroom into a guest retreat. Simply upgrading to a larger bed and investing in good linens may be enough for your space. Or you may choose to add an ensuite bathroom to a bedroom to make it more comfortable for long-term guests.

4. Upgrade the bath or kitchen. Of all the home remodeling options, upgrading a bath or kitchen is usually the one that gets you the most bang for your buck. Simply modernizing your finishes can give your room a whole new look. You may want to consider combining a kitchen and bath upgrade with handicap accessible options so that you can age more gracefully in your home.

5. Boost your energy efficiency. If you want to save money during retirement, consider ways to make your home more energy efficient. This could be as simple as adding in a few skylights so you use less artificial lighting during the day. Or you could go big by adding solar panels to your roof, if you live in an area conducive to solar energy. Other useful options include insulating the attic or adding insulation to your basement. If your home is older, consider blowing insulation into the walls. This can save you energy on heat and cooling without requiring you to tear off the plaster or sheetrock on your walls.

6. Add a home office. If you're thinking of working part-time from home in retirement, turn one of your spare bedrooms into a home office. This takes very little by way of renovation. You may just need to rearrange some furniture and add task lighting to an existing bedroom. If you have a bit more money in your budget, consider adding built-in shelving and a desk to one wall of your home office. This classy look is also an efficient way to organize your books and paperwork, so you can get started running your home business right away.
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SeaBreeze said:
I'm already retired and plan to stay in my home as long as possible, even if my husband passes before me and I live alone. I like the idea of making some things easier to access or use when I get older, especially if I have physical limitations, but in my case I definitely wouldn't want to spend too much money on any changes. Here's some ideas that may be helpful. http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs...consider-before-retirement?int=retirement-rec
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First I would never consider retiring in a dwelling that has stairs.

A condo will relieve you of exterior maintenance and grounds keeping.

Higher, not lower toilets are easier to use. We are 82 and 81 years old. We replaced low ones with ADA higher ones.

Lever handles on door locks are a big improvement. Rocker light switches are a big improvement also.

Walk in showers are the way to go. Tubs are for the guest bath only. You can use it on special occasions.

Double pane windows are great for both heat and air conditioned homes, plus they cut noise.
 
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Our house is a small ranch style Manatee, so the only staircase is the one that goes down to the finished basement. My laundry room and cat litter box is down there, and it's a place now for any guests we might have. When my elderly inlaws could no longer stay in their house due to major stroke and other illnesses, we moved them in and we lived down there. The steps are carpeted and the staircase is narrow, so there's a banister on one side and wall on the other to hold onto if needed...not too bad.

I would move to a condo if I absolutely had to, but growing up in a small apartment and living in apartments when we were young before we could afford to buy our first home turned me off to living anywhere but my own house with my own yard, etc. Now I still can do all the maintenance, but would hire out for help if I really had to in the future.
Our toilet is super low, that is something we're going to have to change and keep putting off. I agree, higher is the way to go when the ol' knees start creaking. :eek:ld:

A walk in shower would be nice, but they are sooo pricey, I guess I'd have to need it before I bought it...plus my bathroom is really tiny. We already have good double pane windows, and I agree they're great for keeping out cold, heat and noise.

What are rocker light switches?
 

The very first thing that I would consider is getting energy efficient windows . Nothing beats the utility bills by getting energy efficient windows and doors. The next that I would consider is adding a deck. Decks gives more style and more spatial efficiency, if you like spending more time outdoors then this would be a great addition to the house. I would also like to make my kitchen more spacious since I love cooking and spend most of my time there.
 
I would find doing some of those, particularly making things more accessible, very depressing before I needed them. I'm all for a two-story house. Don't ever use steps? Pretty soon you won't be able to, and sooner rather than later. Will do that stuff when the time comes. The only other one that applies to me is upgrading the kitchen. I might do that.
 
:eek:ld:


What are rocker light switches?
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Rocker switches fit in the same place as older toggle switches, simple installation. The part that moves is relatively flat, you can nudge it with your hand, wrist or elbow when you are carrying something. I installed lighted ones in places where they control lights so that they can be seen in the dark. They are sold in hardware and home supply stores.

We know about knees, we have both had both knees replaced.
 
Another thing that is a must have for us is ceiling fans. Good ones are silent and we use less AC and heat with them. I prefer the Hunter brand.

I had no problem with stairs when I first retired, but that was 19 years ago, ageing is relentless.
 
Manatee said:
Rocker switches fit in the same place as older toggle switches, simple installation. The part that moves is relatively flat, you can nudge it with your hand, wrist or elbow when you are carrying something. I installed lighted ones in places where they control lights so that they can be seen in the dark. They are sold in hardware and home supply stores.

We know about knees, we have both had both knees replaced.
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Thanks Manatee! :)
 
It's a good thing you have a plan for staying in your home SeaBreeze. Often that's the most comfortable, secure option for seniors. For us it just makes sense because our housing expenses here are much less than would be in any senior development in the area.

We live in an co-op apartment complex on the first floor though we have to go up a few stairs on the outside then down a couple to get to the apartment. There are only three floors so there is no elevator. One of my neighbors who was 85 lived on the third floor. Her daughter finally had her move down to Atlanta with her a month or so ago. But she'd go up and down those stairs often to get to church or go outside handing out her Jehovah witness tracts. My hope is to keep going to the gym and stay in as good shape as possible so I'll have the stamina of my former neighbor. When we had the apartment remodeled almost 20 years ago, even though I was just in my 50's, I had a grab bar installed next to the toilet and of course one in the tub (on the opposite side of where they are usually installed for my convenience). I think the only problem I would have is if I wind up in a wheel chair since the apartment is cozy. My kitchen is really a kitchenette. I imagine we could remove the cabinet closest to the opening for the kitchen so that a wheelchair could fit. But reaching the stove and countertops which house my microwave and dishwasher would be hard under that circumstance. Can only pray it never comes to that. I'd consider having the walk in tub installed should it ever become necessary since we only take showers anyway.

We have a music studio room which doubles as an office. It was originally the second bedroom. I would never think of renting that room because I've heard too many horror stories from people who thought they knew a reasonable amount of information about who they were renting to but things turned out badly. Thankfully we have great natural light coming in during the day since the windows are big in the bedroom and studio and the living room has a patio door. I use compact florescent bulbs in all lighting except the couple that are on dimmers.
 
Quote: A walk in shower would be nice, but they are sooo pricey, I guess I'd have to need it before I bought it...plus my bathroom is really tiny.

Reply: I was referring to a stall type shower, not the pricey ones that are basically a high tub with a door, those are for rich folks.
 

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