By the time you get to retirement, you’ve probably lived in your fair share of homes. Your housing needs have changed throughout the years, and they’ll change again in retirement. That could mean that a new home is part of your retirement plans. You could buy a home off the market, but building a custom home may be a better option.
Design the Perfect Retirement Home
Moving gets a little more difficult as you age. A home with multiple flights of stairs may not be as practical in retirement. Fortunately, you can design your home to be retirement-friendly if you choose to build a custom home. You can also add other retirement-friendly home features like ample lighting and handrails in the shower.
Designing the bathroom with a walk-in shower instead of a bathtub reduces the risk of falls. Make sure all doorways are at least 36 inches to accommodate wheelchairs. In rooms with cabinets, plan the layout so the cabinets and drawers are within easy reach so you can easily get to your things.
Experience Fewer Structural Issues
While new custom homes aren’t without their share of issues, they are less likely to suffer from structural issues than older homes. They haven’t been around as long so they aren’t as likely to have rusty pipes, leaky roofs, rotted wood, or foundation issues that compromise the house.
That can save you money on repairs and maintenance in short term. Insurance can be more affordable as well. Old homes can mean higher home insurance costs as the risk of issues increases.
Built-In Technology
In addition to designing your home’s floor plan and physical features to suit you better in retirement, choosing to custom-build your home makes it easy to build technology into the house. People preparing for retirement can include technology like heated floors (ideal in entryways and bathrooms), a quality home security system, smart lighting, a smart thermostat, and more. Aging in place is so much easier when you have the right technology in your home to support you. When you choose to custom-build your home, building the technology you need into your home is a relatively simple matter.
Building a custom home gives you the unique opportunity to have a home that is designed to fit your needs and your budget. These are important factors in retirement. Consult with builders in the areas where you want to live in retirement and see if a custom-built home is a good fit for you.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Here’s more to read: Why You Should Pay Off Your Mortgage Before Retiring
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