Smaller does not always mean easier. In this episode of Realty Bytes, Caledon Realtor Evelyn Lopes explains how to choose a home to age in place, so your next move still works for you years from now. Evelyn walks through the car-to-kitchen test, why a bungalow with the laundry in the basement is not really one-level living, what to look for in bathrooms and kitchens, and what to ask before buying a condo. She also shares advice for adult children helping a parent downsize, plus three questions to use at every property viewing. If you are thinking about downsizing in Caledon, Orangeville, Brampton or the NW GTA, this episode helps you spot the details that matter before you fall in love with a house, helping you avoid costly mistakes when downsizing. Get the free Can You Age In This Home? guide and scorecard from the show notes. below.
In Episode 225, Evelyn Lopes shares what to look for so your next home still works for you ten or fifteen years from now. Whether you are downsizing for yourself or helping a parent, you will leave with a simple way to compare homes: three questions to ask at every showing and a short exercise for your next viewing.
In this episode:
• The two questions to answer before you view a single home
• The car-to-kitchen test for any house or condo
• Why a bungalow is not automatically easy living
• Bathroom and kitchen details that matter more than the finishes
• What to ask before buying a condo
• How to help a parent downsize without taking over
• Three questions to use at every showing
Free resource: FREE Guide and Scorecard: Can You Age In This Home? [Can You Age In This Home? guide link: ">CLICK HERE
Thinking about downsizing in Caledon, Orangeville, Brampton or the NW GTA? Call Evelyn at 905-965-5902 or book a no-pressure conversation: https://calendly.com/evelynlopes/consultation-meeting-evelyn-lopes-realty-team
Next on Realty Bytes: Stay or Move? How to Decide Whether to Change Your Current Home or Downsize. Check out the podcast CLICK HERE
EP.225
TRANSCRIPT EP.225- How to Choose a Home You Can Age in
You know, one of the things I hear most often from people who are thinking about downsizing is this: "I just want something smaller, something easier to look after." And I understand that. You're tired of cleaning rooms you hardly ever use. You're tired of cutting the grass, shoveling the snow, and keeping up with all those little jobs that somehow never seem to end. And maybe you're thinking, "Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a smaller home where I can just enjoy life?" Sounds pretty good, doesn't it? But here's something I want you to think about. Just because a home is smaller doesn't mean it's going to make your life easier. In fact, sometimes that beautiful little bungalow or lovely new condo can come with a few surprises, like the laundry room that's tucked away in the basement or the three steps you have to climb every time you come in from the garage, or that gorgeous bathroom with the big glass shower that looks like something out of a magazine. Beautiful to look at, but maybe not so practical when you're trying to get in and out of it. And those are the things that can make a difference, not necessarily today, but five, 10, or even 15 years from now. So today, I wanna talk about how to choose a home that doesn't just suit your life today but gives you the flexibility to enjoy it for years to come. Because the goal isn't simply to move into a smaller home, it's to move into a home that makes your life better. Welcome to Realty Bites, conversations on real estate and lifestyle. I'm Evelyn Lopez, and today we're talking about something that I think deserves a lot more attention when people are considering downsizing how do you choose a home where you can comfortably age in place? And by that, I simply mean a home where you can continue living safely, comfortably, and as independently as possible as you get older. Now, before you start thinking we're gonna spend the next few minutes talking about walkers, grab bars, and stair lifts, don't worry. That's not really what this conversation is about. We're gonna talk about practical design choices, things that can make everyday living easier, whether you're fifty-five, sixty-five, seventy-five or beyond. And some of those things, well, they might surprise you. Because the features that make a home easier to live in as we get older are often the same features that makes it more comfortable right now. So whether you're thinking about downsizing for yourself or helping a parent make that decision, I wanna share some things I'd encourage you to look at before you fall in love with your next home. Trust me, it's easy to fall in love with a beautiful kitchen. But that kitchen isn't gonna help much if you have to climb a flight of stairs every time you wanna go and do the laundry Now, before you look at homes, ask yourself one question. Before we talk about floor plans, bathrooms, or stairs, I want you to think about something. What are you actually hoping to make easier by moving? Because everybody has a different reason for downsizing. Maybe you've had enough of maintaining a large property. Maybe the stairs in your current home are becoming a nuisance. Or maybe you're perfectly happy managing your home today, but you're thinking ahead. You don't wanna be forced into another move ten years from now. And I think that's a very sensible way to look at it. But here's the other side of the conversation. What don't you want to give up? Maybe you love having family over for Sunday dinner. Maybe gardening is something you really enjoy. Or perhaps you want a spare bedroom so the grandchildren can come and stay. Those things, they matter too because there's no point in moving to a home that's easier to maintain if you end up giving away the things that make your life enjoyable. And if you're moving with a spouse or partner, here's a little suggestion. Have this conversation separately first. You might discover that one of you wants less maintenance while the other wants to stay close to friends and family. And believe me, those two priorities can lead you to two very different houses. It's much easier to talk about those differences before you start looking at properties. The idea is to find a home that supports the life you want to live, not just a home with fewer bedrooms Here's something I encourage people to do when they're looking at homes. Don't start your evaluation at the front door. Start where you would park your car, and picture yourself arriving home on a cold February afternoon. You've got a few bags of groceries, maybe the driveway is icy, and you just wanna get inside, put the kettle on, and warm up. Now look at the route from your car to the house Is the walkway level? Is it well-lit? Are there steps? Is there somewhere to put your groceries down when you're unlocking the door? And if the house has a garage, how do you get from the garage into the house? I can't tell you how many times I've seen a lovely bungalow advertised as having everything on one level, only to discover there are several steps leading in from the garage. Now, three steps might not seem like much today, but if you've ever had knee surgery, sprained an ankle, or tried to navigate stairs while carrying far too many grocery bags, you know those three steps can suddenly feel like a mountain. And yes, I know we're all guilty of trying to carry every grocery bag in in one trip. Apparently making two trips is simply not an option. But seriously, this is why the entrance matters. A no-step entrance can be a wonderful feature, but make sure it's an entrance you would actually use. If the only level entrance is around the back of the house, down a sloping pathway, that might not be very practical. And if you're looking at a condo, do the same exercise. Walk from the parking space to the elevator, then from the elevator to the unit. How far is it? Are the doors heavy? Is there room to move comfortably? These are small details, but they're details you'll deal with every single day, and that's what makes them important. One more thing. If you're told that a ramp could easily be installed, don't just assume that's the case. Find out whether there's enough space, how it would work, and whether approvals would be needed. There's a big difference between something that sounds possible and something that's actually practical And a bungalow doesn't automatically mean easy living. Now, when people tell me they're looking for a home where they can age in place, one of the first things they often say is, "Evelyn, I think we should look at bungalows." And bungalows can be a wonderful option, but not all bungalows are created equal. Here's what I mean. You might walk into a beautiful bungalow. It's got a lovely living room, a renovated kitchen, and a comfortable primary bedroom. Everything looks perfect. Then you ask, "Where's the laundry room?" And the answer is, "Oh, it's downstairs." Well, that's something we need to think about because if your goal is to avoid stairs in everyday life, carrying laundry up and down a staircase isn't necessarily going to make things easier. The same applies to bathrooms. Perhaps there's a bedroom on the main floor and a powder room nearby. That's convenient. But what about the shower? If the only full bathroom is on another level, you still have a problem to solve. So when you're looking at a bungalow or really any home, ask yourself, "Can I sleep, shower, cook, and do my laundry without having to use stairs?" Those are the four things I'd pay particular attention to. Now, that doesn't mean you have to rule out a house because the laundry room is downstairs Maybe there's a room to move it upstairs. Maybe a spare closet could be converted. But find out what's involved before you make that assumption. Sometimes a change is relatively simple. Other times it involves plumbing, electrical work, and more expense than you expected. And while we're talking about stairs, let me mention something else. Having stairs in your home isn't necessarily a bad thing. You might have a finished basement that you use occasionally. .. That's very different from needing to use those stairs several times a day. The question isn't whether the home has stairs. The question is whether you have to use them to manage your everyday life, and that can make a big difference All right, let's talk about bathrooms because this is the one room where I think buyers can easily get distracted by beautiful finishes. You walk in and you see gorgeous tile, a glass-enclosed shower, a beautiful vanity, maybe even one of those large freestanding bathtubs, and you think, "Wow, this is lovely." But here's what I'd like you to do. Forget about how pretty it looks just for a moment. Think about how you're actually going to use it. Is there enough room to move around comfortably? Can you open and close the door easily? Is the shower easy to step into? And if you ever needed a little help, would there be enough room for someone to assist you? Now, one feature I particularly like people to consider is a shower with a very low threshold or ideally no step at all. Not because everyone is going to need it, but because it's simply easier to get in and out of. And quite frankly, I'm all for anything that makes life easier. Look at where the shower controls are located. Could you reach them without having to step under cold water? Is there room for a proper shower seat if you ever wanted one? Would a handheld shower make things more convenient? And here's something worth knowing. That towel bar beside the shower, it's designed to hold a towel, not you. If someone needs extra support getting in or out of the shower, they need a properly installed grab bar, and the walls need to be able to support it. Don't assume that just because the bathroom has been beautifully renovated, the proper reinforcement is behind the tile. That's something you'd want to investigate. The same applies to toilets. You may have heard of comfort-height toilets. They're often useful, but they're not necessarily right for everybody. What's comfortable for one person may be awkward for someone else, and that's really the point I'm trying to make. The best bathroom isn't necessarily the fanciest bathroom. It's the one that works comfortably and safely for you. If you already have concerns about mobility, balance, or bathing, an occupational therapist can help assess what features or modifications would suit your needs. As a realtor, I can help you evaluate a home's layout and potential. But when it comes to specific physical needs, it's worth getting advice from someone who's trained in that area. And by the way, if you're listening to this and thinking, "Evelyn, there are a lot of things I need to remember when I'm looking at homes," I've got something that can help. I put together a free guide called Can You Age In This Home? It walks you through the important things to look for before buying a home you hope to live in for years to come. And it includes a companion scorecard, so you can take it with you when you're looking at homes and compare different properties without trying to remember every single detail. Because after you've looked at four or five homes, it's amazing how quickly they all start blending together. Was it the third house with the laundry upstairs or the second one? And which house had that beautiful shower? The guide gives you a simple way to keep track. You'll find the download link in the show notes below Okay, now let's move into the kitchen, and I want you to imagine making an ordinary meal. Nothing fancy, just something you enjoy. You open the cupboard to get a pot, you reach for a plate, you take something out of the oven, you unload the dishwasher. Simple things, right? But those little movements are repeated day after day. So when you're looking at a kitchen, pay attention to how easy it is to use For example, I really like deep drawers for pots and pans. Rather than having to get down on your hands and knees to reach into the back of a cupboard, you can simply pull out a drawer and see what's there. Pull-out shelves can be helpful too. And what about the upper cupboards? Can you comfortably reach the things you use most often? You don't wanna be dragging out a step stool every time you need your favorite coffee mug. Another thing to consider is the amount of counter space. Do you have somewhere convenient to put down a hot dish? Is there enough room beside the refrigerator or oven? And how good is the lighting? Those under-cabinet lights aren't just a nice design feature. They can make food preparation much easier. Now, I'm not saying you need a specially designed kitchen. For many people, a few thoughtful choices are all that's needed. But think about the little tasks you do every day, because a beautiful kitchen that makes you bend, stretch, and reach constantly may not be quite as practical as it first appears. And while we're talking about bending and reaching, let's go back to the laundry room for just a moment Front-loading machines can be convenient, but depending on the height, they may also require a lot of bending. Putting them on a raised platform can help some people. For others, that may put the controls too high. There's no single arrangement that's right for everyone. So rather than assuming a feature is good because it's described as accessible or convenient, ask yourself whether it actually works for you. Pay attention to the little things. Sometimes it's not the big features of a home that can make the greatest difference. It's the little things. Things you might not even notice during a showing. Like door handles, for example Lever style handles are often easier to use than round knobs, especially if you're carrying something or you have arthritis in your hands. The same goes for faucets and light switches. Now think about the trip from your bathroom to the bedroom in the middle of the night, something most of us would rather not have to think about. Is the route easy to follow? Is there a light switch within reach? Is there enough room to move around the furniture? Are there any awkward corners? And what about the flooring? Loose rugs, slippery surfaces, and uneven transitions between rooms can create problems. The nice thing is that some of these issues are fairly easy to correct. Adding better lighting, changing door handles, removing loose rugs, those are often manageable improvements. But a narrow hallway or an awkward floor plan can be much harder to change. That's why it's important to know the difference. But don't get so focused on smaller that you forget about space. Here's another thing I want you to consider. When people downsize, they sometimes become so focused on reducing square footage that they forget to think about how they're actually going to live in the space. And I understand why. After years of maintaining a larger home, the idea of having less space to clean can sound wonderful. But smaller isn't always better You still need enough room to move comfortably, and you still need room for the things that matter to you. For example, when you're viewing a home, don't just look at how spacious it feels when it's empty. Picture your own furniture in the rooms. Will your dining table fit without blocking the walkway? Can you get around both sides of the bed? Will there be enough space to open drawers comfortably? And what happens if you ever needed to use a walker or another mobility aid? That extra space can become very important. Now, here's something else. Don't be too quick to dismiss a second bedroom as unnecessary. Maybe you don't need it for overnight guests very often, but perhaps it could become a hobby room, a place to read, a home office, or somewhere a family member could stay if you were recovering from surgery. You may not need that extra room every day, but having it could give you more flexibility in the future. And there's another consideration that doesn't get talked about enough: privacy. Open concept homes can be wonderful. They feel bright and spacious, but sound travels. If one person wants to watch television while the other wants to read quietly or sleep, you may discover that having a separate room is a luxury worth keeping. After all, part of a happy retirement is being able to spend time together and occasionally being able to spend a little time apart. So think carefully about what you're giving up. You want less work, not necessarily less enjoyment. And if you're considering a condo, look beyond the unit. So let's talk a little bit about condos. Because for many people, a condo can be a great downsizing option. You don't have to cut the grass, you don't have to shovel the driveway, and there's often less exterior maintenance to worry about. Sounds pretty appealing, doesn't it? But I want you to remember something. When you buy a condo, you're not just buying the unit, you're buying into the building and the way it operates, and that's important when you're thinking about aging in place. For example, how easy is it to get from the parking garage to your unit? Are there heavy doors along the way? How far is the walk? Where are the mailboxes? Where do you take your garbage? These might seem like small details, but again, they're part of everyday life. And let's talk a little bit about elevators. They're certainly convenient, but what happens when one is out of service? If you're considering a unit on an upper floor, it's worth asking how the building handles elevator maintenance and outages. And don't assume that because a building has backup power, every elevator will operate during a power failure. Ask what's actually covered. You should also find out about emergency procedures, especially if you or someone in your household wouldn't be able to use the stairs during an emergency. And if you think you may want to make changes inside the unit in the future, like widening a doorway or modifying a bathroom, find out what the condominium corporation allows Some changes may require approvals. The point isn't to discourage you from buying a condo. Far from it. For many people, condo living is a wonderful choice, but it's important to make sure the building supports the lifestyle you're hoping to have, not just the suite Here's something else that people often overlook. You can find a home that checks every box inside, wonderful layout, no stairs, beautiful bathroom, easy-to-use kitchen, and still find that the location makes everyday life more difficult Let me ask you something. What would happen if you decided to drive less, or if, for whatever reason, you couldn't drive for a while? Could you still get groceries, visit your doctor, meet friends for coffee, get to the pharmacy? These are things worth thinking about. And I'm not suggesting everyone needs to move into a busy town center. Not at all. I work with people who love living in Caledon and the surrounding rural communities, and I understand that. The peace, the privacy, the space. Those can be very important parts of someone's lifestyle. But rural living also comes with practical considerations. Who handles the snow removal? What happens when the lawn needs cutting? How far away are your medical appointments? And what would you do if driving became difficult? Perhaps you have family nearby. Perhaps you're happy to arrange services when you need them. That's perfectly reasonable. The important thing is to have a plan. And here's something else. Staying connected to other people matters. A home that's easy to maintain but leaves you feeling isolated may not be the right choice. So when you're choosing where to live, think beyond the house. Think about the life you'll be living around it And if you're helping a parent downsize, start with what matters to them. I'd like to speak for a moment to anyone who's helping a parent or someone they love make this downsizing decision because I know these conversations aren't always easy. You may see things that concern you. Maybe the stairs are becoming difficult. Maybe maintaining the property is getting to be too much, and naturally, you wanna help. But here's something I'd encourage you to do. Rather than starting the conversation with everything that could go wrong, start with this question: What do you want to be able to keep doing for yourself? It's a very different way of approaching the conversation. Maybe your mother wants to keep gardening. Maybe your father wants to continue going out for coffee with his friends, or maybe staying close to familiar neighborhoods matters more than having a brand-new kitchen. Those things are important, and they deserve to be part of the decision. Because when you're helping someone downsize, it's easy to focus on safety and convenience, but independence and enjoyment matter too. You don't wanna make someone feel as though they're losing control over their own life. You want to help them make a decision that gives them more choices. And if someone already has mobility challenges, memory concerns, or other specific needs, that's the time to involve the right professionals. A home can be designed to make life easier, but it can't replace every kind of help someone may eventually need. It's also worth having a conversation about support. If a family member usually helps with appointments, groceries, or maintenance, what happens if that person isn't available? Is there a backup plan? It's not always the most comfortable conversation, but it's much easier to make these decisions when you're not dealing with a crisis. So before you buy, ask yourself these three questions We have covered quite a bit, and if you're thinking, "Evelyn, how am I supposed to remember all of this when I'm looking at homes?" Here's what I'd suggest. When you find a property you like, look at it through three simple questions. First, what works well for me right now? Maybe the main floor bedroom is perfect, the bathroom is easy to use, and the entrance has no steps. Great. Those are all things worth noting. Second, what could work with a few changes? Maybe the shower needs to be modified. Maybe you could move the laundry upstairs, or perhaps better lighting and different door handles would make the home more comfortable. These might be reasonable changes, but before you count on them, find out what's involved. Get estimates. Check whether approvals are needed, and talk to the right professionals. And third, what simply doesn't work for me? Maybe the driveway is too steep. Maybe the hallways are too narrow, or perhaps the location would leave you too dependent on driving. Those are things you need to take seriously because no matter how lovely the house is, you don't want to spend the next ten years working around problems you knew about before you bought it. And one more thought. Before you decide that moving is the answer, take an honest look at your current home. Could a few changes make it easier to live in? Would moving the laundry, updating a bathroom, or improving the lighting solve some of your concerns? Sometimes staying where you are makes more sense. Other times, moving is the better long-term decision. But you won't know until you've looked at both options. And that's really what good planning is about: understanding your choices before making a decision. So I'm gonna give you a simple exercise for your next home viewing. The next time you walk through a home you're considering buying, I want you to try something. Instead of only looking at the rooms, imagine three ordinary moments in your day. The first is arriving home with the groceries. Picture the whole journey from your car to the kitchen. How easy is it? The second is getting up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. Is the route simple? Is there good lighting? Are there any obstacles? And the third is making yourself a meal when you're tired. Can you reach what you need? Is the kitchen comfortable to work in? Do you have enough room to move around? These aren't complicated questions, but they'll tell you a lot more about how a home will work for you than the color of the kitchen cabinets. And that's what I want you to remember You know, after helping people buy and sell homes for over three decades, one thing I've learned is that the right home isn't always the one with the most impressive features. It's the one that fits the way you want to live. And when you're downsizing, I think that's especially important. You're not simply choosing a smaller house. You're making a decision about the next chapter of your life. You want a home that's comfortable today, but you also want to give yourself some flexibility for tomorrow. And no, we can't predict exactly what the future will bring. If we could, life certainly would be a lot simpler. But we can make thoughtful choices. We can pay attention to the details, and we can avoid buying a home that creates problems we were actually trying to leave behind. So here's the one thing I'd really like you to take away from today's conversation. Don't just ask, "Is this home smaller?" Ask, "Will this home make my everyday life easier, and will it continue to work for me as my needs change?" Because those are two very different questions, and the answers can make all the difference. Now, if you're starting to think about downsizing, whether that's happening next month or a few years down the road, I have a free resource I'd love to share with you. It's called Can You Age In This Home? It includes a practical checklist you can take with you when viewing properties, along with a companion scorecard to help you compare the features that really matter. You'll find the link in the show notes below. And if you're considering downsizing to Caledon, Orangeville, Brampton, or the surrounding communities, I'd be happy to have a conversation with you, not just about what kind of home you're looking for, but about what you're hoping your next move will do for you. Because sometimes the best place to start isn't with a list of homes, it's with a conversation about what matters most. And if you know someone who's thinking about downsizing or helping a parent make that decision, please share this episode with them. It might help them notice something they hadn't considered. And if you've enjoyed today's conversation, don't forget to follow or subscribe to Realty Bytes. I'm Evelyn Lopez with RE/MAX Realty Services. Thanks so much for spending this time with me, and I'll see you next time on Realty Bytes: Conversations on Real Estate and Lifestyle.