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5 Improvements That Make A Forever Home

Written by Posted On Friday, 25 October 2019 14:32

Turning a house into a forever home involves thinking about your future. Do you see yourself living in your current residence for more than 20 years? What about when you decide to retire ? Future-proofing a home to be accommodating to all your needs means thinking ahead. Aging in place is now becoming more common as people want to stay in the homes they have grown to love. Here's a peek at some of the home improvements you can make that consider your future.

Smart Homes

Smart home features simplify a home's operation and make it effortless in the long run. Many new home builds have smart features built-in, but retrofitting is possible. Automatic control of lights, blinds, curtains, garage doors, gardens, and pools are some of the most popular features.

Home automation can be expensive upfront, but it adds significant value to your home. These smart home systems can even help control the cost of electricity when you're not home, helping pay for itself in the long run. With the rising cost of electricity, many homeowners are turning to alternative sources of energy.

Sustainable Energy Solutions

The rising cost of energy has many homeowners seeking renewable sources. Solar is increasingly popular in Australia, with one in six houses in New South Wales installing solar panels last year. Solar panels work great on unshaded roofs and cost around $6,000 to install.

Solar panel installation can pay for itself in as few as four years, depending on your energy usage. Even in the worst-case scenario, you may take ten years to pay off your investment. Batteries for storing solar energy for use in the evening can still be expensive, though. Home improvements that take into account low-maintenance materials like brick can help conserve energy costs, too.

Installing A Home Lift

Making your home a forever home goes beyond just thinking about energy efficiency. It also needs to be accommodating for you as you age. Most Australians are embracing the aging in place movement, which makes homes more accommodating for those with mobility issues.

One of the best investments in that regard are modifications that make your home more accessible. Future-proofing home lifts can provide a more natural way to move between levels in multi-story homes. They can be installed in any room in the house and take up minimal space. Making doorways wider and removing unnecessary steps are also a few modifications you can make to a forever home.

Climate Change

Homeowners in Australia have to think about how climate change is impacting the environment in which they live. Australia has a variety of climates, but each one will experience climate change in a unique way. Generally speaking, changes you can expect to see include higher temperatures, lower rainfall in the south, and an increased risk of severe weather.

Good passive design can help mitigate those risks and lessen the reliance on air conditioners and heating. Energy-efficient appliances can help lessen the energy burden you create. Using reflective glazing and roofing can help reduce cooling costs significantly.

 
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James Stevenson

Hi, My name is James and I've been involved in the property and real estate industry for 10 years now. I hope people will like to read about my thoughts and experiences in the industry and please contact me if you want to discuss my articles further!

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