Tag Archives: san diego

10 Ways Toward a Zero-Energy Home

Posted on June 25, 2012 | Leave a comment

1. Install low-flow fixtures. Most low-flow showerheads and faucets aerate water, which means you use less energy heating it. There is often no need to replace an entire sink — the important part is the aerator (the screw-on tip of the faucet), which determines maximum flow. This simple, cheap part could save you a bundle on hot water costs. See the hot water info page on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) site for more on this topic.

Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for questions if this will add value to your home.

2. Turn off lights, computers and appliances. This simple habit doesn’t cost a dime and could make a big difference in your energy consumption, depending on how consistent you are. Teach children and other members of the household to follow this rule: If no one’s in the room, it doesn’t need to be on. In other words, shut off TVs, computers and lights before leaving a room, every single time. It’s a habit that requires a bit of diligence in the beginning but will soon become second nature.

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Seniors Struggle to Maintain Homes

Posted on June 23, 2012 | Leave a comment

With all the rapture about interest rate cuts – now equalling 0.75 per cent over the last two months – spare a thought for older Australians.

Already a third of over 50s say they can’t afford their home repair bills, according to a national survey, and with every dent to their savings, things get worse.

Australia’s over 50s are facing a combined repair bill of $5.57 billion to fix more than 17 million defects in their homes.

The most common issues reported in research by insurance provider Apia were leaking taps (41%), trees that need to be trimmed for safety reasons (39%), cracks in walls (38%), insect or vermin infestations (33%), and blocked drains (27%). Nearly half (43%) of the survey’s respondents said they didn’t have the skills to fix the problems around their home.

For readers in the US and Canada there are non-profit groups that may be able help. Contact the appraisers at www.scappraisals.com for questions. Don’t forget Habitat for Humanity, local churches and senior centers!

Aging Boomers Update Their Homes Aging in Place Tips

Posted on June 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

Aging-in- place tips

• Remove area rugs and scatter rugs or affix them to the floor.

• Add grab bars in bathrooms.

• Widen hallways and doorways for walkers or wheelchairs.

• Remove cabinets underneath bathroom sinks to allow access for a wheelchair or walker.

• Install a bidet. Says Nelesen: “It’s an old European idea, but it does preserve your dignity a bit.”

• Change step-in showers to roll-in showers.

• Choose slip-resistant, flat flooring for easy rolling.

• Use handles rather than knobs for kitchen cabinets and doors, making the grip easier for arthritic hands.

• Assess furniture. For example, recliners make standing and sitting easier, but a swivel feature makes them unstable.

• Look to technology. Automated medication dispensers and in-home sensors are just two ways seniors can take advantage of high-tech health aids

Will these updates add value to your home? Contact the appraisers at www.socappraisals.com for you value questions.

First it was the call from an older widow in Santee. She had nixed moving to an assisted-living facility in favor of adding a second level to her home that would create a spacious environment for her adult granddaughter’s family of four — and live-in caregivers for her. And then even more requests began rolling into Jackson Design and Remodeling from adult children determined to help their aging parents stay in their own homes. Plus middle-agers were asking for ideas on what they should be doing to prepare for future retirement at their residences.

CEO Todd Jackson realized he was witnessing a new way of thinking about his industry.

“We started noticing the trend in about 2006,” he said. “So we started looking at how we’re building projects in a more holistic approach that’s not just about now, but the long-term, too.”

That trend, often referred to as “aging in place,” is rapidly altering not only the remodeling business but architecture and interior design, too. And as the baby boomer generation continues into its retirement years, the desire to adapt existing homes for older adults is only expected to grow.