Guest Post by Claire Wentz, CaringFromAfar.com

Is your home as safe as it could be? Or are you awkwardly maneuvering mobility aids through doorways, stretching to reach your kitchen cabinets, and shuffling across slick flooring? While mobility changes are a part of getting older, your home shouldn’t be making life harder.

Remodeling for Aging in Place

Most seniors need to modify their homes in order to continue aging there safely. However, remodeling for aging in place requires more than grab bars and an entrance ramp. Here are some modifications to consider if you plan to live at home as you age:

• Installing additional lighting throughout the home, including task lighting, and replacing light switches with rocker switches or motion-activated lighting.
• Replacing long-pile carpeting and slick flooring with slip-resistant flooring.
• Building an entrance ramp.
• Installing an elevator for second floor access.
• Increasing the width of doorways and hallways.
• Installing lowered or adjustable-height kitchen counters.
• Replacing kitchen appliances with more accessible models.
• Installing a curbless shower, raised toilet seat, and bathroom grab bars.
• Adding a first-floor bathroom.
• Replacing door knobs with levers and cabinet handles with D-shaped pulls.
• Lowering cabinets and adding pull-down shelving and roll-out trays.

While this list includes the most important home modifications, it’s not all-inclusive. For more ways to make your home safer for aging in place, see the National Association of Home Builders’ aging-in-place remodeling checklist.

Remodel or Relocate?

Your first instinct may be to remodel your current home. Especially if it’s the house you raised your family in, you might be reluctant to leave it. However, remodeling is costly, and the final bill can easily total in the tens of thousands of dollars. Sometimes, it makes more sense to sell your house and purchase a home that’s more suited to your changing needs.

Seniors benefit from downsizing to a smaller home throughout their golden years. A more compact home is easier to navigate as your mobility changes and requires less upkeep than a large, multi-story home. You’ll also have fewer rooms to remodel for accessibility, so you’ll spend less time and money on home modifications.

If you decide to move, search for single-story homes that offer step-free entrances, open floor plans, and wide doorways and hallways. These are the bare bones necessities for accessible living, and purchasing a home that already has these features will save you money on remodeling. Search for ranch homes for sale here.

Before you start looking at homes, work with a real estate agent to figure a listing value for your current home. While the average sales price of Oak Park Illinois homes is around $450,000, yours may be worth more or less depending on its age, size, condition, location, and design. Get an instant estimate of your home's value by clicking here.

After you know what your home is worth, identify the changes you’ll need to make to a future home. Fully accessible homes are rare, so expect to make several modifications from the above list. Subtract the estimated cost of remodeling projects from your home’s listing price, and you’ll have an idea of what you can afford to spend on a new home. Now you’re ready to start reviewing listings to see what’s on the market in your target price range.

If you’re having trouble finding homes that meet your accessibility needs and your budget, consider whether it’s best to finance renovations now or budget them out over time. You can learn more about financing home renovations at This Old House’s website.

Remodeling your home is no small feat -- and it's not an inexpensive one, either. However, compared to the cost of living in nursing home or assisted living facility, aging in place is often the more economical choice. Whether you decide to modify your existing home or relocated to a downsized dwelling, you'll have the comfort of aging on your own terms.

Having trouble deciding whether to stay in your home or downsize? Let's talk about it! Call me anytime at 630-248-1976. I'm always here to help! ~Laurie Christofano, Realtor with The Pych Team at RE/MAX In The Village.

Art in architecture was truly perfected on Oak Park property by Frank Lloyd Wright. Examples of his stunning works are located throughout Oak Park and the greater Chicago area. Famous for his Prairie Style motif Wright had a vision of “organic architecture” with beauty in the details. Offered through The Frank Lloyd Wright Trust interested parties can discover the magic of Frank Lloyd Wright within multiple tours.

Treks Around Oak Park Highlight the Mastery of Frank Lloyd Wright

During the Wright Around Oak Park Tour participants spend approximately three hours immersed in the wonder of Frank Lloyd Wright. This historic walking tour focuses on prominent works around town. Originating at the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio, guests progress through the Oak Park dwelling learning all about what inspired the man as well as personal history. Expert docents lead the group around the home even allowing a sneak peak onto the exclusive studio balcony. Artist and architect, Wright often used this first home as an experimental base. Afterwards, it's off to explore the landscape of Oak Park property. Ten additional homes are on the route providing excellent examples of the Prairie Style period. The last structure on the tour is the Unity Temple which was constructed from 1905 to 1908 and symbolizes classic Wright design. Read more about this majestic building here.

Treks are limited to parties of 10 and under allowing for more intimate discussions with the tour guide. Plenty of breaks make time for reflection and shopping opportunities are also given. An overlay of general history concerning the Oak Park real estate region is given in addition to the contributions added by Frank Lloyd Wright. Advanced reservations are recommended and can be made online or by calling 312.994.4000. Spontaneous add ons are welcome when space in the group is available. Dressing in layers with appropriate footwear is recommended. Tours are not suggested for those under eight years of age.

Hear the roar of the lion and the growl of the bear right on Chicago property. In the midst of the bustle of the city sits a refuge for the world’s animals. At the Lincoln Park Zoo animals from A to Z call Chicago home. Amphibians, birds, mammals and reptiles all have their own space. Free to one and all it is easy to come and get to know the critters.

Families who frequent the zoo can often be heard arguing over which animal to see first. Everyone has their favorite from slithery snakes and creepy, crawly lizards to curious monkeys and whimsical meerkats. Solutions are sometimes as simple as following the map or drawing straws. Others rely on memories over whose turn to choose was next. Either way the animals await.

Popular polar bears and black bears maintain a high spot on the list for visitors. With their faces full of character, it’s hard to believe they are predatory animals. Large cats also seem fairly domestic. Resembling cuddly kittens left at home, these massive kitties are mesmerizing all on their own. Big cats include African lions, Snow Leopards, Pumas and Amur Tigers. The most laughs are found by the monkeys and chimpanzees. These fun filled creatures enjoy their day swinging high and low in their enclosures. Nearby Western Lowland Gorillas seem deeply immersed in thought. More at home in the water than on land, Harbor and Gray Seals slip eagerly into their pools to swim and splash around.

Learn All About Exotic Animals Calling Chicago Home

Dedicated to conservation and education various science centers carry out the goals of the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Urban Wildlife Institute considers the impact society has on natural habitats. Population Management is studied at the Alexander Center, and Lester E. Fisher Center focuses solely on apes. Learn more about science centers and additional resources employed by the zoo.

From armadillos to zebras, the Lincoln Park Zoo found on Chicago property has it all and is open every day all year long. Hours are seasonal so check the website before heading over.

The wonder of nature comes to life on Oak Park property at Austin Gardens. Often referred to as the “secret gardens” the landscape is filled with peaceful serenity. Located at 167 Forest Avenue hundreds of trees provide a tranquil spot for relaxation and contemplation. Splashes of color catch the eye as wildflowers bloom and thrive. Walking trails are great to meander along when needing moments of quiet repose. South of Lake Street this small space of just under four acres truly seems like a special hideaway.

Classic Theater Comes to Life on Oak Park Real Estate

Open spaces are made for frolicking and play. Green grasses are filled with picnic lunches and games of frisbee, tag and flag football. During the summer months the stage is set for performances from the Oak Park Festival Theatre. Declared as the “oldest classical theatre in Illinois” quality Shakespeare productions highlight master material. Held on the grounds of Austin Gardens the community is treated to amazing performance art masterpieces. Year round performances are also held by the company. When winter comes, an outdoor ice rink is ready for recreators. Skaters swirl and twirl turning frosty weather into fun filled times. This family tradition finds many laughing and bantering on the ice.

In the Austin Gardens Environmental Education Center a love for nature is nurtured. Area youth flock to the Oak Park property for a variety of classes, workshops and camps. Adult educational programs are also available onsite. A state of the art building contains sustainable features proudly designed to support of the environment. Energy efficient settings regulate heating and cooling. Other accents include stormwater harvesting and a “green roof”. Additional features can be learned about here.

From sunrise to 10 p.m. get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life at Austin Gardens. Breathe deep and inhale the beauty of the majestic landscape on Oak Park real estate. Go for a walk, take in some theater or attend an ongoing workshop.

Conventional wisdom tells us that the spring and summer months are the best times to buy a home. After all, these are the busiest real estate seasons in Oak Park and the surrounding communities. It's the time of year when most sellers decide to list their homes for sale, and buyers scramble and compete with each other to be the winner in the bidding wars that have become commonplace in our market.

Then summer hits. Many people become focused on vacations, festivals, relaxing at the beach. The real estate market cools down. Home prices start to ease a bit, and the competition among buyers lessens.

Savvy buyers looking for a good deal can reap the benefits during the slower fall market. In Oak Park, for example, the median price for single family homes came down about 8% in the fall of 2016, picking right back up as we headed into spring 2017. Motivated sellers, either deciding to sell their homes later in the year, or those who attempted to sell sooner (often for lofty, unrealistic prices), coupled with fewer buyers active in the home buying market, makes for a prime opportunity for home buyers to make their moves.

Have you been thinking about buying a home in the Oak Park area, Chicago, or the suburbs? Start your search here! OPRFhomesforsale.com is an easy to search website that is updated directly from the MLS every few minutes, providing you with accurate, up-to-date listings of homes that are actively on the market for sale.

Did you know that when using a Realtor to purchase a home, there is NO CHARGE to the buyer?

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ANY QUESTIONS? I would love to help you find your perfect property. Call or text me at 630-248-1976 to get started!

Laurie Christofano, Realtor
The Pych Team @ RE/MAX In The Village
Call or text me 630-248-1976
Email me MyRealtorLaurie@gmail.com

See what some of my clients have shared about our experience working together: Laurie's Testimonials