February 9, 2012 – The market for aging-in-place remodeling continues to grow as more homeowners choose to remain in their homes as they age, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). NAHB Certified Aging-In-Place Specialists (CAPS) experts were joined by representatives from AARP today for a press conference held at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) to discuss how the aging-in-place market has changed as it moves mainstream, what consumers are looking for and what universal design and aging-in-place trends will be popular in the future.

Nine out of 10 people age 50 and older say they want to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible. “As the first baby boomers turn 65 this year, CAPS professionals in remodeling and other industries are providing the expertise these families need to stay in their homes safely and in style,” said Scott Sevon, CAPS, GMR, GMB, CGP, 2012 chair of the CAPS Board of Governors and a remodeler from Palatine, Ill. “This generation is typically healthier and wealthier than previous generations of similar age and expects their homes to reflect their active, independent and upscale lifestyles.”

Since the creation of the CAPS designation program 10 years ago, the aging-in-place market continues to grow as families plan to age in their homes or address acute needs. While the majority of CAPS consumers are 55-64 years of age, remodelers report that 23 percent of clients are younger (45-54 years of age) and planning ahead to age-in-place.

“We are proud that in its tenth year, CAPS continues to be the industry benchmark for aging-in-place remodeling in the industry,” said 2012 NAHB Remodelers Chairman George “Geep” Moore, Jr., CGR, CAPS, GMR, a remodeler from Elm Grove, La. “As aging-in-place modifications and universal design move into the mainstream, the CAPS designation program continues to provide accessibility, safety and low maintenance living to home owners of any age.”

The CAPS program was launched by NAHB in partnership with AARP, the NAHB Research Center and the NAHB 50+ Housing Council in 2002 and has been on the leading edge of home modifications for aging-in-place since its inception. The program has graduated more than 4,000 specialists in 10 years.

In 2011, NAHB introduced a new course, Universal Design/Build, that focuses on integrated home design features and product specifications that account for client differences due to circumstance, physical characteristics, health issues and aging. Universal Design/Build expands on the previous CAPS courses by highlighting the successful integration of universal design into all residential construction projects.

Some of the great custom features in the home include:

• A 7′ by 4′ stained glass window that they wanted to incorporate into the two-story great room. While it took some time and effort to ensure a safe, correct fit, the result was truly outstanding! See in the pictures how the glass became a focal point of the open setting.
• Energy efficiency was extremely important to the couple. After considerable research, they opted for a blown-in fiberglass insulation system in the wall cavities instead of the traditional batt insulation. For a reasonable upgrade, they received a better R-value, better filtration through the cavities, and enhanced sound-deadening from the exterior of the house.
• Amazing trim detail throughout, as is a trademark of all of Regal’s homes. Their home has custom trim in the two-story family room windows, stained railing on the stairways, arched opening with beautiful columns, wood-and-glass transoms in the foyer, high-profile trim, and crown molding.
• The homeowner, being an amateur woodworker (and as good as many “professional” carpenters), laid his own hickory hardwood flooring in the dining room, foyer, powder room, and master bedroom. We worked with the homeowner’s schedule to allow him to complete his job without delaying the construction of the home.
• The kitchen features maple cabinetry, granite counter tops, a walk-in pantry, and stainless steel appliances.

Overall, it was a fun process for both the clients and Regal, and as the pictures show, resulted in a beautiful new home.

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You may think your house is perfect just the way it is, but a prospective buyer may not see it that way. To give your home “curb appeal” and make it more attractive to buyers, there are some tasks you should see to before you place that “For Sale” sign in your front yard.

Many of these suggestions are simple, common-sense items; others will require some time and investment. But you’ll reap the rewards when a buyer walks into your house and exclaims, “This is the home I’ve been waiting for!”

1.   If your home needs to be painted, this is the time to do it. The interior paint job should be fresh and clean and in a single, neutral color throughout. This is not the time to experiment with lilac walls in the bedroom. The same goes for the exterior. Don’t forget shutters and windows. If your home has vinyl or aluminum siding, be sure it’s clean. Moldy, dirty siding will tell a buyer that your home has not been taken care of properly.

2.   The green shag carpeting still gracing your floors should be replaced. Old, matted carpeting will be a detriment to your home selling. Real estate agents all have a dozen stories of a home that sat and sat on the market until the old carpeting was replaced. Then, it sold immediately. If you have hardwood floors under old carpet, tear up the carpet to expose them; today’s buyers love hardwood floors.

3.   Make a list of all those little repairs you’ve let go. Then fix each one. The hole in the screen, the loose doorknob, the doorbell that doesn’t work and the leaky faucet must all be repaired before buyers start looking at your home.

4.   If your home’s appliances, like the dishwasher, oven, refrigerator and washer and dryer, are old and outdated, it could pay to replace them. Buyers do not want to be faced with the possibility of having to replace appliances upon moving in to a new house. Shiny, new appliances already in place will be a big selling point.

5.   Clear your house of clutter and debris. Get rid of piles of old newspapers and magazines, the old clothes that don’t fit, the closet full of small appliances that don’t work, dust-filled collections of knickknacks, etc.  Clean, open spaces make your home look bigger to prospective buyers.

6.   Clean out closets so that they appear more spacious. Closets are an important feature to today’s buyers so you want yours to look as roomy as possible. If they’re still too cluttered after cleaning them out, remove items you don’t need now and put them in storage.

7.   Minimize the amount of personal items and mementos in your home. Prospective buyers want to imagine themselves living in the home. Dozens of family pictures and your grandchild’s finger paintings cluttered on the refrigerator will make them feel that they’re invading your home, rather than inspecting their future home.

8.   Clean your house top to bottom including walls, floors, furniture and tabletops. Everything should be sparkling clean when a buyer makes that all-important first visit.  Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink, crumbs on the counter or laundry stacked in the bedroom.

9.   Take a long, hard look at your home from the street. Does it have curb appeal?  Is it warm, inviting and well-kept? Make sure by mowing the lawn, weeding garden areas, trimming unruly bushes, resealing the driveway and  sweeping the porch.

10. Pay particular attention to your front door. Repaint it if necessary. Polish the doorknob and knocker and clean the glass and screen door. When a buyer waits at the front door to enter, make sure he or she sees that your home was cared for lovingly.

*Source: National Association of Home Builders.  http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=148861

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/108701/the-10-must-have-features-in-todays-new-homes.html?mod=family-love_money

This year, Builder Magazine built a “virtual” home – which has the distinct advantage that anyone can tour it, not just show attendees.

I am impressed with the design on this home; the designers acknowledged that when the housing market rebounds, it’s going to be very different from previous boom years. Instead of throwing up a 4,000 sq. ft. “McMansion”, they put a lot of thought into designing a 1,700 sq. ft. home with creative space that would appeal to many different kinds of families. The home has creative spaces, an open feel, and flexible rooms that can adjust with its owners lifestyles.

One warning – home building suppliers donate the materials for show homes such as this, so the tour includes plenty of plugs for their products. And I wish the web site had an overall floor plan for viewers to review. Having said that, though, I think the home and the concept are worth a tour:

http://www.builderconcepthome2010.com/