As of August 2022, 77% of Americans over the age of 50 prefer to age in place instead of moving somewhere else (even though the cost of in-home care was 10% more expensive than assisted living). A lot of seniors feel more comfortable in a familiar environment. But how can they age in place if their homes have stairs, high cabinets, and other obstacles?
The term “future-proofing” is used in the design industry to refer to any important things to consider when you plan to stay in your home throughout your senior years. It’s also referred to as “planning for aging in place,” and all of these strategies can help you to create a more comfortable future by thinking about your changing needs as you age.
Here are some things you should think about as you future-proof your home.
Cost is one of the biggest reasons people decide to move out of their homes. The cost of heating and cooling will most likely increase, which can contribute to your home’s affordability as time goes on. One way to address this concern is to take advantage of modern window technology, so you don’t have to give up any great views to keep your heating and cooling bills down.
You can improve your home’s energy efficiency with a blanket of insulation, so you can keep your home comfortable while keeping your energy costs down. It’s your home’s defense against the heat and cold of the outdoors, so it can help you keep indoor temperatures under control throughout the year without putting too much of a burden on your HVAC unit.
Nobody wants to move because of physical changes and health issues that come as we age, but it happens to people all the time. Have wide doorways to give you more room to move. You should have all your main rooms and appliances on one floor, so you can have a head start in case mobility becomes an issue. You should also think about having a single-floor living plan that gives you space for sleeping, bathing, cooking, and doing laundry.
If you live in a multi-story home, you may not realize how much you use the stairs or how hard it would be to navigate your home if you weren’t able to climb them. You may not even realize how many obstacles are inside your bathroom until you have limited mobility. You can make it more accessible if you install a low-threshold shower or if you make room for future grab bars. You can even add some extra space, so you have more room to move around in.
Making sure your home has the right materials can make a big difference when it comes to your physical health, which is an important thing to consider when you’re future-proofing your home. Clay plaster floors and cork floors can add beauty to your home while limiting the amount of waste left over during construction. You can even use reclaimed wood in certain areas.
Healthy materials won’t off-gas chemicals into your home, and they won’t add pollutants to the water or land. Look for any products that are labeled “no VOC,” which don’t have any Volatile Organic Compounds. VOC’s let off gasses from unstable compounds, so products without them create fewer odors while they’re being applied or drying. This will improve the indoor air quality inside your home (where VOC’s can accumulate over time). This applies to paints, stains, adhesives, furnishings, insulation products, and any other manufactured items.
You should think about using natural materials (such as untreated wood, cut stone, cork, and woven grasses). They will not only give your home great texture and visual interest to your space but will also be easy to maintain. Clay plaster is also a great option because it has no VOC’s, plastics, or formaldehyde. It can even absorb odors and some airborne toxins, which can make your home healthier to live in.
Using materials that are made well and are built to last will reduce your maintenance demands. And while these types of materials are always being introduced into the market, there are some time-tested options that are worth considering. Metal roofs are great alternatives to asphalt shingles because they’re resistant to impacts and corrosion, can withstand severe weather, and have more than double the lifespan of traditional roofs. They won’t catch fire if they’re exposed to flames or if they’re struck by lightning, and you can recycle them at the end of their use.
If you want to have a future-proof home design and are looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.
It’s easy to feel torn between buying an existing home or building a new one. The idea of designing your dream home that has been customized to your individual needs and wants has a strong appeal, but it also has some disadvantages that don’t come with buying an existing property. Everything from the cost to the timeline will change with every decision you make.
Some of the benefits of building a home include the following:
Aside from all the benefits of building a home, it does come with some drawbacks. The upfront cost could be higher, and you may have a longer commute if you travel to work. Because you’ll be in a developing community, you won’t have access to mature landscaping (which can take years to grow).
Some of the advantages of buying an existing home include the following:
Despite their benefits, existing homes come with their disadvantages. Unless the floor plans have been remodeled, you’re less likely to find a modern floor plan. It will also have outdated technology and fixtures. Some may even have knobs and tube wiring that date back to the first half of the 20th century. While it may be possible to upgrade the wiring and install smart technology to replace the old thermostats and lighting, it costs more to redo something than it would be to install it while the home is being built.
The insulation on older homes may not be as good, and they often rely on polluting resources (such as gas and oil) for heat. So, they’re not as energy efficient as new construction homes. There will also be more potential for extensive repairs and maintenance. Roofing and heating systems can also have you spending more money where you don’t expect to.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.
Open floor plans have been a popular architectural trend for residential properties over the last several decades, and it’s often the goal for many large-scale remodeling projects (such as combining the kitchen and dining room into a communal living space). Open floor plans have two or more common spaces that have been combined to form a larger area, which is often achieved by getting rid of partition walls. Implementing this kind of design creates a sense of openness, which promotes more traffic flow.
Open floor plans can create one large space (which is often used in city lofts and office spaces), but they can also include popular concepts (such as a Great Room). Implementing this kind of design to your custom home can have many advantages. Some of them include the following:
Many modern homes have open floor plans, because they can use decorating themes that can’t be used in more enclosed spaces. Be sure to speak to a professional for more information about what can work with your specific style.
While they’re a popular choice, open floor plans aren’t ideal for every homeowner. You should think about your specific needs and some of the drawbacks of incorporating this kind of design. Here are some of the disadvantages of an open floor plan:
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
Buying a home can be a fun and exciting experience, but finding the right home is only one step in the process. It’s a big financial commitment that involves a lot of paperwork, which is why finding a home loan can be just as important. If you’re not prepared or aren’t organized, you could deal with some frustrating delays. Proper preparation and understanding of how to get a mortgage before you start the process will make sure the process goes more smoothly.
Here are some things you should consider while you’re looking for a mortgage on your new home.
Depending on the lender and the type of loan you choose, your required down payment can be 3-20% of the home’s purchase price. Having a monthly budget will help you set aside enough money for your down payment. Once you have determined what your budget will support, think about automatically depositing the money from your paycheck or bank account to a savings account because it will be easier and more convenient to put money away every month. If you’re not able to come up with a large down payment, you should look into getting an FHA loan (which helps homebuyers who can only make a small down payment).
Having a strong credit profile will put you in a better position to get the best deal on a home loan, so it’s a good idea to get a copy of your credit report before you start the process. You’ll be able to see what your credit profile looks like to a potential lender, so you can take steps to improve certain factors or correct any inaccuracies. You can get one free copy of your credit report every year from each of the three major credit reporting agencies by going to www.annualcreditreport.com.
When you apply for a mortgage, you’ll need to give the lender a number of financial documents because it will make the loan application process go more smoothly. You should at least be prepared to give them your last two pay stubs, your most recent W-2, your tax returns from the last two years, as well as any current bank and brokerage statements.
Mortgage calculators are great tools that can help you understand how much you can afford. They’re easy to use, and they can show you how much your monthly mortgage payment would be under different home prices. They will even allow you to work through different down payment and interest rate scenarios.
Not all mortgages are created equal. Even if loans have the same interest rate, there may be differences in the points and fees that can make one offer more expensive than another. You need to understand all of the things that go into determining the price of a mortgage, because it will allow you to compare different offers. You also want to understand the different parts of mortgage pricing.
This will be one of the biggest factors in determining the cost of your mortgage. They change almost every day, and it can be helpful to know which direction they’re going.
Many real estate agents want you to get pre-qualified for a loan before they will even work with you. It’s a simple process that usually requires some financial information. This will include your income, any amount of savings and investments you have, as well as a credit check. Once you have been pre-qualified, you’ll have a better idea of how much you can borrow and what types of homes you can afford.
Your parents might have had a 30-year fixed-rate loan, while your best friend might have had an adjustable-rate loan. But it doesn’t mean that either loan is right for you. Some people like the predictability of a fixed-rate loan, while others prefer to have a smaller upfront payment that can come with an adjustable-rate loan. Every home buyer has their own unique financial situation, and you need to understand which type of loan will work best for your specific needs.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi to help you design your new custom home, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should first get your finances in order because you need to make sure that you’re ready. It’s so important that you should look at them well before you’re ready to apply for a mortgage. That way, you’ll have some time to improve your finances and your credit. While many people say that everyone should buy a home, it just isn’t true. If you sign on the proverbial dotted line for a new home when you’re not financially ready, it will turn out to be a curse instead of a blessing. The house will own you instead of the other way around. But if you’re financially ready to purchase a home, it can be a wonderful and rewarding experience for you and your family.
You’re ready to buy a new home if the following are true:
If you’re looking for one of the best home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
If you have built a custom home in the past, you know that location is everything when it comes to the construction process. It sounds simple, but it can affect every part of the decision-making process. If you take the time to find the right place for your custom home, you can reduce your land and purchase expenses by a significant amount. It can also make the building process easier, because you may have to deal with fewer regulations. It can even help you to sell your home at a higher value later on.
While the decision about where to build your custom home can seem overwhelming, following some simple steps can help you to find the right place. You most likely have an answer in your head already, but you need to decide whether you want to be in a city, suburb, or rural area. You also need to think about what kind of lifestyle you want to have. If you want to raise your own chickens and don’t like closing your blinds, an urban setting might not be the best choice.
You may not think about it while you’re looking for the right location, but it’s a good idea to think about what kind of amenities you want. If you have children or plan to have them, you should think about how close the schools are and whether they’re of good quality. How close are you to work, and do you have access to other facilities (such as transportation stations, shops, and hospitals)?
Make a list of the people you want living nearby and whether you want close neighbors. What kind of people are living in each neighborhood, and what are the locals like? Getting answers to these questions can help you to determine if you’re building your home in a good area. You also want to think about how close you are to friends and family. Some people don’t want to build a house within 50 miles of their extended family members. And while it is a personal decision, it’s something you should take into consideration.
This is one part of the decision-making process that you have less control over, and it’s something you may not have thought too much about. It does, however, affect the overall cost of building your custom home. The slope of your property can cause a significant increase in the cost of construction. A house that’s built on a steep ridge will cost a lot more to build than one that sits on a flat lot. Things like extra time, building materials, and risk are all things that contractors will consider.
There are a number of other factors that will cause the price to go up. Some of them include the following:
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
You might be ready to have that perfect home with all the space you need and in the style you want, but you might be wondering how planning a custom home budget actually works. Taking the time to figure out what you’re looking for and how much you want to spend on it is an important step in starting a home building project. A budget will allow you to determine what you can realistically accomplish in your custom build. It will also have an impact on what type of land you build it on, how big you can really go, and the quality of materials you can use.
Once you have an idea of what you want to build and have put together a rough estimate of the design and building costs, it’s a good idea to start the process of applying for a construction loan. All you want to do at this point is to get pre-approved, because it will determine if you have the money to build the house you want.
If the construction loan pre-approval amount is lower than you expected, you may want to think about a production home in a developed area or design a different custom home. You don’t want to spend too much more than what you’re pre-approved for (unless you plan to pay for any extra costs with cash out of your own pocket).
Once you have a rough idea of what it’s going to cost (most home builders and contractors will give you a rough range in cost per square foot), you need to take that number and start to build out your budget breakdown. And there are some costs you need to consider as you put together a custom home budget. Some of them include the following:
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes. We would be happy to speak with you about your specific needs!
While the last few years haven’t been the best times for large gatherings, the season of entertaining is well upon us. That’s why custom bars are being built in a lot of homes. It’s the perfect solution for a small family kitchen, because it takes up much less space than a table and chairs. It can also double as an area for preparing and presenting food, but the best place to install one will depend on the shape and layout of your home.
Here are some great custom bar ideas that you can add to this part of your home.
Having a dedicated area for serving drinks will be more complete with an island that resembles the look of a cocktail bar because it represents the epitome of luxury when it comes to entertaining. It’s a great focal point around which guests can gather, especially if it has a curved shape. It’s also a great area for you to show off your ability to make cocktails and serve drinks — all while keeping the back part of the bar free for doing prep work. It can even be a useful area for drink fridges and ice makers, which will be out of site but close enough for easy access.
Having a small bar with an eye-catching design will look much more exciting than fireplace alcoves and bookshelves. With some magazines, you can make a small space stand out even more. You can have a lot of fun decorating a home bar with a playful design.
Using the space under the stairs can make your bar area more stylish. It can also be more rewarding than filling it with coats and shoes. Your guests will appreciate it more, especially during party season. You can follow the rise of your staircase to gain as much height as possible. You should also think about adding a contrasting timber or color to separate it from the rest of the staircase. Adding a small amount of brass or any other reflective surface can make the space stand out even more, and it will turn that awkward space into one that can be more easily enjoyed.
You can make an open-plan kitchen even more sociable by adding a built-in bar between your cooking and living areas. If it’s inside an island unit or peninsula, a well-appointed bar can draw guests away from the business end of your kitchen while making sure the conversation flows. Whether it’s below the counter with open shelving and a wine fridge, or has cabinets above the counter to show off your collection, an island or peninsula is a great place to add a custom bar.
If your home bar doesn’t have easy access to the kitchen sink, you should think about adding a tap for boiling water. It’s a lot faster than heating it in a kettle, and it’s more energy efficient. It will also make it easier to serve hot beverages. You can even add a tap that can give you cold, sparkling water (which is great for making cocktails and long drinks). It will take some of the pressure off your fridge. While you don’t need a large sink to support a boiling tap, having a small prep sink can be useful for rinsing glassware and getting rid of dregs.
If you want to build a dedicated space for a home bar, you shouldn’t skimp on any of the functional details. You may want to add a wine cabinet, so your favorite spirits are kept at the right temperature. You may also want to add a second one for storing juices and soft drinks, so you can free up space for your kitchen fridge. You should, however, check the volume levels to make sure a running dishwasher doesn’t drown out any conversations.
Having a home bar in your dining room will not only give you a space to host after-dinner parties but will also add more useful places to store your less decorative cookware, as well as your more commonly used tableware and practical accessories. If you paint the joinery in the same color as the walls, you’ll be able to create a sleeker and more minimalistic look that won’t turn the eye away from the rest of the space.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.
Game rooms are used for both electronic consoles and old-school games that use dice and boards. They’re also growing in popularity for both homeowners and home renters. If you’re ready to explore some game room ideas, your options are far from limited. But you should design it in a way that fits your personality. You want to find furniture that will cater to the needs of the people who use it the most, but it needs to be both flexible and versatile. Children will outgrow games, and so will you. So, if you leave some room for the space to evolve, it will change with your specific gaming preferences.
Here are some cool ideas that can help you plan your game room.
One of the biggest and most exciting trends in gaming is the rise of affordable virtual reality (VR) consoles, but too many VR gamers have found their immersive experiences disrupted when they run into a wall or hit their shin on the couch. If you’re into VR games, you should either have a dedicated open space or fill your game room with light furniture that’s easy to move. That way, the only limitation you have is the signal range of your goggles.
There’s probably nothing more retro than a full-sized arcade game. There has been a recent spike in retro video game parlors, so it has gotten easier to find vintage arcade game cabinets. But before you start buying these machines, you should think about your room’s size. The bulky nature of these game cabinets (which are taller and wider than most people) will mean that only one of them can dominate a small room. If your space is big enough, there might be a retro arcade game out there waiting to add some old-school charm to your new game room.
Any beverage tastes better when it’s poured fresh from the tap, and the possibilities for a well-designed bar are practically limitless.
Escape room puzzles have become increasingly popular in cities all over the world. A group of strangers are locked inside a room. Inside, there’s a “danger” that could be anything from an actor dressed as a zombie to a model atomic bomb. The group must be able to work together to solve a set of challenges that will test both their brain power and their dexterity — many of which will require some level of teamwork to solve. If you’re able to set up this kind of brain-teaser, you can give your game room a more novel twist. It will also guarantee that visitors will be challenged and entertained.
The perfect game room will have plenty of space for people to jump up and move around. But even if you’re working with a limited amount of square footage, you can create a room that looks more inviting. Anything from light-colored flooring to the creative use of reflective surfaces can make a tight space feel larger than it really is.
You can contrast your high-tech gaming consoles with the vintage look of throw-back lighting. Edison bulbs and old-style chandeliers can give your game room a kind of funky chic that may be irresistible.
Game rooms aren’t just for playing fast-paced video games. They can sometimes be used for a more casual and romantic night in. With a stack of soft blankets and throw pillows on hand, you can turn any game room into a cozier and more laid-back space for dining and low-key fun.
Fill your game room with images of some of your favorite games and activities. And for a lot of people, the 8-bit artwork of games from the 1980’s and 1990’s is both nostalgic and heartwarming. There are a number of artists who create paintings and graphics that are based on that pixelated style, and these images are available on everything from wall hangings to throw-pillows.
You can give your game room a more unique feel with a brick or stone facade, which weighs a lot less than the real thing. Because it’s easier to install, you can give your game room the look and texture of exposed brick at a much lower cost. It’s also perfect if you’re looking for game room ideas that will make the space look like a traditional brick home.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi, be sure to get in touch with Devonshire Custom Homes.
The location of the master bedroom is one of the biggest deciding factors for people who are thinking about buying or building a home. There are a variety of options, which gives homeowners a lot to think about. For many people, the master bedroom is a sanctuary where they spend a third of their day. So, location is important.
Your final decision might be influenced by the shape of your homesite and how it relates to your floor plan. You may end up giving up some backyard space by building your master bedroom on the first floor. If you want enough outdoor space that you can use for entertaining guests, a swimming pool, or other exterior structures, it may make more sense to build a second-floor suite. But long-term thinking might motivate you to build it on the first floor, which can be perfect for empty nesters.
Having the master bedroom on the first floor can be extremely convenient, because it can give you the benefit of single-floor living. If you still have kids at home or have a lot of overnight guests, having your master bedroom on the first floor can be an attractive option. You can be locked away inside your own bedroom suite without hearing slamming doors, loud music, or arguments about who uses the bathroom first.
While moving to a warmer climate may be the dream of some retirees, a lot of people are choosing to retire-in-place. According to the AARP, 87% of people who are 65 and older want to stay in their current homes. When you put your master bedroom on the first floor, your home won’t need as many “costly modifications” for when you have mobility issues.
First-floor bedrooms are great for people who want to stay in their homes over the long term, because it can make your space more accessible for people who want to stay in their homes as they age. Families with small children and older adults who have trouble with stairs can also benefit from this type of floor plan.
First-floor master bedrooms can increase your home’s resale value and can even lower your utility bills. If no one is using the second-floor bedrooms, you might be able to get away with minimal heating and cooling for that entire part of your home. But despite their advantages, first floor master bedrooms have their drawbacks. They can be noisy, especially if it’s too close to the gathering room or kitchen. If it faces the front of the house, traffic noise and headlights may disturb your sleep.
Depending on your floor plan, adding a master bedroom on the first floor may not make a lot of sense. This is especially true if it requires you to build out and expand your home’s overall footprint. Your yard may be too small for a master bedroom on the first floor, or you may have children and don’t want to reduce the size of the outdoor play area.
If you’re a light sleeper, it can make sense to have the master bedroom away from the heart of your home. If you have it on the second floor, you’re less likely to be bothered by noise in the living room or kitchen. Even though it’s on the same floor as the other bedrooms, you can still have some privacy by having it at one end of the hall. You can also get a better view if you have your master bedroom on the second floor. Second-story master bedrooms are great for growing families who need extra space in lots that aren’t large enough for a first-floor suite.
There are some drawbacks to having a second-floor master bedroom. Unless you live in a 15-bedroom mansion, you’re most likely going to get some noise coming from the other bedrooms. While climbing stairs may not be a problem now, you might not be able to get to your bedroom if you break your leg or have mobility issues as you get older.
Adding a master bedroom to the second floor will require may require modification to your current design plans. Your main-level floor may also need some structural reinforcement to support the second level, which could make it more costly. Not to mention the disruption it will have on your current living space during the construction process.
If you’re looking for one of the best custom home builders in Corpus Christi to help you create the perfect master bedroom, be sure to reach out to Devonshire Custom Homes.
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