As the population continues to age and more and more empty nesters are reaching retirement age, the demand for housing that meets their needs increases with each passing year. Now that their children are no longer living at home, most empty nesters can do with fewer bedrooms and less overall space. The trend is towards scaled down, smaller home plans with more amenities. Today’s 55+ is very active and highly social and home plans that appeal to them are designed to provide space for entertaining friends and family. Guest wings with private baths located away from the Master Suite allow privacy for everyone.
This blog post is part of our “Advantages of a one-story, ranch style home” blog series.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, a whopping 75% of this age group would prefer a single-story ranch style plan. In addition, the vast majority want to live in the suburbs, often moving to a new area that is closer to their children and grandchildren. No stairs to climb allows seniors to stay in their home longer and to “age in place” safely and independently.
Are there rooms in your home that you rarely set foot in?
Do you have bedrooms that have remained empty since your kids left home?
Are you paying to heat and cool unused space in that big old house?
Is your leisure time taken up with yard work and cleaning a big home?
If you have answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to consider whether downsizing is right for you.
Scores of empty nesters are embracing the concept of downsizing and discovering the joys of living in a smaller home. Chances are that you have so much storage space in your big home that you can’t even remember what you have, let alone why you are keeping it. Pare down your unused, stored items and you’ll find that you don’t really need all those rooms just to store these useless items. Look for home plans that offer adequate storage and only keep those things that you actually use.
Another thing this age group has in common is not wanting to spend their new-found freedom caring for and maintaining a big home. The trick is to downsize intelligently in order to live comfortably. Reconfigure your space into fewer rooms that you will actually use and put the majority of the square footage into the rooms you use the most. This is often referred to as “rightsizing.” You may be surprised to find that with the right floorplan, size becomes secondary. New home plans geared towards empty nesters are designed to take full advantage of every bit of space without sacrificing style. Here you can find some tips to make your downsizing successful.
The best floor plans for the empty nester is clearly either all on one level, or with the Master Suite on the first floor. Ideally, they should be smaller, easier to maintain homes that alleviate the burden of home repair and maintenance. Homes by Malta Development offers a great portfolio of these plans including single family detached home plans, as well as townhome plans that are also super energy efficient for lower monthly utility bills. These home plans offer more amenities and standard features than other area builders. In addition, many are located in communities that offer an exterior maintenance package that takes care of yard work, lawn care, and snow removal. Check out these great plans:
Call Beth Smith Realty today at (518) 928-3057 to see how Homes by Malta Development can help you find the perfect home!