Written by: Jessica Hastings Lesperance, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Embark on a journey to redefine your living space and embrace a fulfilling retirement with 'The Top 5 Ways to Right-Size Your Home for Retirement.' Discover the secrets to downsizing without compromise, mastering the art of aging in place, and transforming your current abode into a sanctuary that meets your evolving needs. Dive into this essential guide filled with practical advice, innovative ideas, and strategic tips to ensure your home aligns perfectly with your golden years. Let's redefine the concept of retirement living together, making every space count for a future filled with ease, comfort, and joy.
The top 5 ways to right-size your home for retirement
Retirement-proofing your home is an essential but often a neglected step. Overcome the stress of a too-large, high-maintenance, or poorly accessible home. Discover how to right-size your home for a comfortable, stress-free retirement. Learn about downsizing alternatives, home modifications, and creative solutions to love your home again.
Idea 1: Sell and move on
Consider if your home no longer meets accessibility needs. Explore the benefits of selling your current property and moving to a more suitable rental. Understand the advantages of location, accessibility, and flexibility in choosing your next living space.
Idea 2: Sell and build new or buy
Think about selling your home to fund a forever home that's tailored to your aging needs. Assess the benefits of building or buying a new home that can accommodate future accessibility requirements and potentially become a valuable family asset.
Idea 3: Renovate! turn your current residence into a duplex
Redefine your living environment by converting your existing home into a duplex. While this approach may appear more labor-intensive compared to selling and relocating, it offers significant benefits by allowing personalized alterations to your property's layout. By transforming your residence into a duplex, you not only tailor your living space to better suit your needs but also significantly enhance the property's overall value. Begin this transformative journey by selecting skilled contractors, crafting a thoughtful layout, securing the necessary permits, and embarking on the renovation process. Undertaking this project can be an enriching retirement endeavor, providing the dual advantages of rightsizing your living space and fostering additional income streams.
Idea 4: Build an ideal additional residence and rent the existing home
Explore how building an additional residence while renting out your existing home can provide income and right-size your living situation without selling.
Idea 5: Move in others to help maintain the house
Embracing the concept of communal living can significantly enhance your retirement years. Inviting roommates, family members, or even participating in a home-sharing program can offset the burdens of home maintenance while fostering a supportive living environment. A multi-generational home not only provides practical solutions, such as shared expenses and chores, but also offers emotional benefits like increased companionship and a sense of security. This arrangement encourages a shared responsibility model, promoting an active, socially connected, and safer aging-in-place experience. Whether it’s adult children returning home, renting out a portion of your space, or even welcoming a caregiver, the shared living model adapts to your changing needs, ensuring your home remains a place of comfort, warmth, and community.
Conclusion
Right-sizing your home for retirement is about more than just downsizing; it’s about making smart choices that align with your lifestyle, needs, and future plans. Whether through selling, renovating, or inviting others in, find the right solution to make your retirement years as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Jessica Hastings Lesperance, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Fierce and epic all rolled into one, she’s an absolute rockstar. Jessica Hastings-Lesperance was Raised with Real Estate™ her entire life. She is co-owner, Marketing Visionary, Director of Operations, and REALTOR® at the Terri Hastings Real Estate Group/Keller Williams Realty Centres, one of the top producing Keller Williams teams in all of Canada. Jessica is an inspiring entrepreneur, real estate investor, coach, speaker, and published author. She has been featured on major media outlets including podcasts and real estate TV talk shows and has been published in various magazines. Recently, she was recognized as one of Canada’s Top Fitness Instructors for 2023 by Impact Magazine.
