America’s population is aging: in 2015, the 65 and over population accounted for about one in seven of the population; by 2030, this ratio will rise to one in five, and by 2060, the ratio will be nearly at one in four.

[1] With aging as an inevitable process, what are the strategies and home features to plan for that makes the home safe and functional while remaining visually pleasant through the process?

At a REALTOR® University Speaker Series held recently[2], Marianne Cusato shared her insights on strategies that REALTORS® can use to help buyers or sellers choose or remodel homes that will enable their clients to age in place independently, safely, and comfortably. Ms. Cusato is Associate Professor at University of Notre Dame’s School of Architecture, Housing Expert for HomeAdvisor, a designer, author and lecturer in the fields of real estate trends and housing.

To listen to the webinar, click here.

Using data from her study for HomeAdvisor’s on Aging-in-Place Survey, Ms. Cusato noted that baby boomers entering or approaching retirement are preparing their homes or planning ahead when making a move to accommodate their later years. In fact, 56 percent of homeowners who hired a professional to do age-related remodeling work were under 65 years old.

The most common projects are as simple as lowering electrical switches, adding grab bars, and installing lever-handled doorknobs, to installing ramps to the entrance, widening doorways, and putting a bathroom and master bedrooms on the main floor.

popularWith insights from HomeAdvisor’s Aging-in-Place Survey as backdrop, Ms. Cusato shared useful and beautiful home design tips for how REALTOR® can work with clients to meet their needs for both today and tomorrow.

  1. Look for designs for all ages (doors with lever handles, use of pull-out drawers, comfort height toilets)
  2. Discuss the timeline: plan for long-term needs while working on immediate retrofitting needs
  3. Understand the cost and set aside a budget. Home Advisor’s website provides a tool to estimate remodeling costs and to match clients with professionals
  4. Strategies for steps: plan for future placements of ramps and lifts and bathroom additions on the main floor
  5. Strategies for avoiding falls: use natural light, remove rugs and floor coverings that can cause tripping, install grab bars and plan ahead with blocking
  6. Kitchen strategies and food preparation: consider pull-out cabinets and retrofit for sit-down counters
  7. Strategies for ease of living: use sensor faucets, lever handles on doors, and remote control blinds
  8. Bridge the digital divide: consider home automation, energy monitoring and security systems
  9. Consider multi-generational housing: consider home designs like mother-in-law cottages, separate entries, and adaptable suites. Ms. Cusato’s website has home designs that are adaptable to a variety of lifestyles and for aging-in-place.[3]
  10. Plan for transportation needs and for working at home.

 

About the Speaker

Marianne Cusato is a designer, author and lecturer in the fields of real estate trends and housing. Ms. Cusato is the co-author of two books: The Just Right Home: Buying, Renting, Moving…or Just Dreaming–Find Your Perfect Match! and Get Your House Right, Architectural Elements to Use and Avoid. Ms. Cusato is renowned for her work on innovative housing solutions for disaster recovery: her 308 s.f. Katrina Cottage design won the Smithsonian Institute’s Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum’s 2006 “People’s Design Award.” She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture.

 

About REALTOR® University Speaker Series

REALTOR® University provides on-line education on real estate and other topics at the MBA and undergraduate levels. The REALTOR® University Speaker Series provides a venue to learn about and stimulate discussion of economic and real estate issues in support of NAR’s mission as the Voice of Real Estate. The Speaker Series presentations can be accessed on this webpage.

[1] Source: U.. Census Bureau Table NP2014-T-3

[2] Held on August 10, 2016 at the NAR Washington D.C. Office

[3] See Marianne Cusato’s designs at http://www.mariannecusato.com/#!design/c83s

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