Depending on your age, this may not be a topic at the front of your mind, but have you ever considered Planning to Age in Place? What to Look for in a House is very important!
And if not you, maybe for your parents? Perhaps they are considering downsizing, and a frank discussion about what their next home should be, or not be, could be important!
Things like types of flooring, or a no-threshold shower for easy access, outdoor space with no stairs or a convenient laundry room….all of these are things you just may not think of.
Back in 2004, my Mother lost our family home to a fire. It was devastating to say the least. While she was younger, we had already had conversations about how she would be able to stay in the house on our family ranch. It had multiple levels, washer/dryer in an older basement with a crazy staircase down there, not to mention in the winter months (Montana) the snow would at times require she hire someone to plow open her road. Anyways, she ended up building a new home in town, and my brother-in-law brought some of these exact issues up. So, her house was “sunk down” so there are no major steps. (Well there is a slight step into the garage that is now challenging for her base on current conditions) Also, she has a walk-in shower instead of a bathtub in the master bedroom. And the garage has a large store room that helps her store things and acts like a pantry as well.
But thankfully, because there was so much happening at the time, she would have never thought of these things without the help of a family member.
Here’s a great article about What to Look for in a House if You Plan to Age in Place!
