Age-In-Place Custom Homes

August 14th, 2017 by Copper Ridge Staff

This is the first blog imageAs the greater Grand Rapids population ages, Age-In-Place custom home design and remodeling increases in popularity. Recent research has shown that 90% of the population over age 65 wants to remain in their homes as long as possible. Today, that makes enormous sense, given the cost of assisted living facilities and the availability of in-home visiting care.

At Copper Ridge Construction, we can design the perfect home for every stage of life. Whether you’re building a new home that you’d like to be your “forever home” or whether you’d like modifications to your existing home, we can help you achieve your goal.

For new custom home design in the raging Grand Rapids real estate market, we recommend planning with age-in-place elements, which in coming decades will increase the value of your home as the boomer generation continues to age.

For home remodels, our work can range from expanding doorways and lowering counters to walk or roll-in showers and smooth hallway transitions.

The following tips were shared in a blog by our friends at the Grand Rapids Home Builders Association and features some great tips on home improvements that create an age-in-place environment.
(http://mygrhome.com/look-benefits-aging-place-stay-home/)

  • Making sure the floors are safe. This means replacing old carpeting with hardwood or laminate flooring to give a sturdy walking surface, removing throw rugs that can be trip hazards, and checking any staircases to make sure they have good solid railings and don’t hold any clutter.
  • Adding lighting around the home, especially around stairs, in closets and pantries, and in any dark corners. Natural light is preferable for many seniors, especially if there is an issue with low vision. If your home doesn’t have many windows, consider adding light bulbs that replicate natural lighting.
  • Adding safety measures to the bathroom, such as a grab bar in the shower and a non-slip mat in the bathtub. It’s also a good idea to install another non-slip mat on the bathroom floor and, if you have a landline in your home, add a phone low on the wall so you’ll be able to call for help if an accident does occur.
  • Look at doorways to make sure they’re wide enough for a wheelchair or walker. Hallways may need to be widened, as well, and this is a big project, so be sure to consult a seasoned contractor if you feel the work needs to be done. You might also consider installing a lift or elevator if your health demands it.
  • Take a good look at the kitchen to ensure it will meet your needs should you need a wheelchair or walker; are the countertops low enough for you to be able to sit and prepare food? Is there an island that would get in the way? The kitchen should be wide enough for you to be able to turn around easily in a wheelchair or with a walker, and the floors shouldn’t be covered with throw rugs that could cause falls.
  • Shelves in cupboards and pantries should be well organized and well-lit, with cleaning solutions kept far away from food items. There should be a fire extinguisher readily available near the stove.

HBA Fall Parade of Homes

August 14th, 2017 by Copper Ridge Staff

As members of the Home Builders Association of the Greater Grand Rapids Area, we’re frequently involved and always excited about the organization’s Spring and Fall Parade of Homes.

This event offers people the opportunity to see real-life examples of the latest custom home construction techniques and features, and helps with the development of a custom home “wish list.”

When we sit down with prospective clients to create a stunning design that suits their lifestyle, our plans are developed according to the “wish list” they’ve accumulated. For this reason, the seasonal parades are a great opportunity to take pictures of features you like.

This year, the 2017 Fall Parade of Homes runs October 6-21, Wednesdays 5-8pm and Fridays & Saturdays 1-8pm.

The Home Builders Association will be releasing an app this year for the convenience of parade-goers in time for the Fall Parade. Check this link for availability: http://paradeofhomes.mygrhome.com/ The new HBA Parade of Homes App is designed so that parade-goers can easily get directions, plan a route, and get home details at the touch of a button. Because most of the homes are new construction, many smart phones and GPS cannot yet find these new addresses. Those touring the homes can take the guess work out of following confusing directions or consulting the map by using the app to get to each home via the most efficient route!

According to an HBA update, trends you can look out for include modern farmhouses, open-concept floorplans, rustic accents, high ceilings with beams, 3-season rooms.

Along with various price points and features, the homes are spread across West Michigan with homes in Ada, Allendale, Byron Center, Caledonia, Coopersville, East Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Holland, Hudsonville, Norton Shores, Rockford, West Olive, and Wyoming.

Tickets will be available at Lake Michigan Credit Unions and online at myGRhome.com/paradeofhomes for $10. They will also be available at each Parade home for $12. Children 12 and under do not need a ticket when accompanied by an adult. For more information on the Parade of Homes, you can contact the HBA at (616) 281-2021, or view the Parade online at www.mygrhome.com/paradeofhomes.


Move or Remodel?

August 14th, 2017 by Copper Ridge Staff

The Grand Rapids Real Estate market has been a seller’s market through much of this year, and inventory remains low with less than 1.5 months inventory. That means that families who might normally consider “trading up” for more space or more luxuriously appointed homes are faced with a widening price gap. While they may earn more on the sale of their current home, they’ll also pay more on a new home.

When debating whether to move or remodel, the first consideration is your rationale for moving. If it’s related to a commute or a desire to live in a different neighborhood, then moving makes sense. But if your motivation has more to do with space or amenities, you might be a candidate for a remodel. The deciding factors will be cost of home improvements versus prospective return-on-investment and/or the cost of otherwise obtaining the additional space and amenities.

According to an article by the Home Builder’s Association of Greater Grand Rapids,  it is typically unwise to remodel to the point of making improvements that exceed the other homes in the neighborhood.

“You will want to obtain an appraisal of your home. Then, look for homes nearby that have recently sold with improvements similar to the ones you want to make. To determine whether remodeling will be worth doing, consider how much your improvements will cost and compare that with the price your home will likely bring….If you have a viable neighborhood and if you are bringing your home up to or slightly above neighborhood standards, from the financial side, you almost can’t go wrong by renovating.”

The HBA recommends including all moving costs in your assessment, such as:

  • Moving costs
  • Real Estate commissions
  • Pre-Sale improvements
  • Financing charges
  • Sale Price of homes with the kind of amenities you desire

Now compare these costs with your estimate for a home makeover, and decide which is right for you.

Talk to us for home remodeling options that will elevate your space, in place.

 

Analyze all the factors to get the total cost of moving, including real estate commissions, improvements you will need to make to the home prior to selling, financing charges, moving costs, utility deposits etc. If it will be cheaper to remodel than to buy a house with the features you want, then you might want to remodel. Choose your project wisely. For example, if you just don’t like the colors or style of your kitchen, but it is only 10 years old, it might not be worth it to remodel. But if the kitchen is from the 1970s, then it probably would be worth it.