Who do I ask for help?

Steve IA · Feb 8, 2015

My wife and I are around 70 , active and in fairly good health w/ good mobility, so far. We live in a rural setting in a 35 yo 1 ｽ story 3 br with the master suite in the loft. Wife's sewing/quilting crafts take ｽ of the walkout basement level. The house is warm and dry with no major defects. The foundation has done some settling the last few years. House has some crooked walls and cracks. We had the 3 sub-grade walls anchored 2 years ago to stabilize buldgeing. New septic system installed when walls repaired. The problem you ask? If something were to happen to one of us and we'd lose mobility, this house is not geezer friendly. Too many stairs and too narrow doorways.
1st option. Extensive remodel with possible footing repair and additional rooms on main floor for 1 floor living. This would mean new master br, larger bath, expansive craft room, possibly expanded kitchen. This is a major undertaking and would require much disruption over months and months, something neither of us want to live with. If not planned and done correctly, we could end up with major renovation and still not be able to live in it as we age. I don't know if this house is worth pouring money into.
2nd option. Move. We don't want to live in town/city. We moved rural 25 years ago and enjoy our seclusion, peace and quiet. The deer and turkey wandering through the yard don't hurt the ambience either. Settings this good are few and far between in this neck of the woods.
3rd option. Set a manufactured house on this site (25 timbered acres) and then tear down this house rather than try to fix it up. Haven't priced such, but suspect we could do this for about the same price as a major overhaul of this house.
Although money is always an issue, this is something we can manage regardless of our choice.

I'm looking for a local expert to look at our situation and help us see the advantages/disadvantages of these choices, as well as possibly offering other suggestions. Who do I call? Contractor? Realtor? Architect? All the above? Any suggestions you may want to offer will be appreciated.

MtnViewRanch · Feb 8, 2015

Hard to say without knowing a lot more. But first thing that comes to my mind if you would be happy with a manufactured home, is there anyway that you would consider renting out what you have and put your new house in a different place on your property? This may be out of the question, I don't have any idea, just a suggestion. Further down the road, you may need a caregiver and the 2nd house could be for their family. If not, always nice to have a little additional income.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck.

BKBrown · Feb 8, 2015

You might also want to check local zoning laws to see what would be required to put a 2nd house on your property ??? It may be possible that a zoning and building inspector could give you some recommendations.
I like the idea of putting a newer and more "geezer friendly" house on the property if you can get approval.
Remember to make everything wheelchair friendly - all 3' + walkways and 3'0" doors.

turnkey4099 · Feb 8, 2015

MtnViewRanch said:
Hard to say without knowing a lot more. But first thing that comes to my mind if you would be happy with a manufactured home, is there anyway that you would consider renting out what you have and put your new house in a different place on your property? This may be out of the question, I don't have any idea, just a suggestion. Further down the road, you may need a caregiver and the 2nd house could be for their family. If not, always nice to have a little additional income.

Just a few thoughts. Good luck.

I had to 'user friendly' this house when my wife became disabled. Small one floor with basement. Put up rails and hand grabs every place I could. There was nothing that could be done for the doors. All 40s type, 26 and 28". Did put on a 30x18 addition with a 6' patio door and a 3' entry. At least they could get a gurney in and out through the patio. Put her hospital bed in the living room which left the need for an escort to help get her in/out of the bathroom. No way to get one of those power chairs in there.

Bottom line. For anyone building new or looking to buy a house, don't do it without WIDE doors and hallways.

Harry K

MikeInEburg · Feb 8, 2015

Architect would be your best value

Ed of all trades · Feb 8, 2015

Not the expert for sure but we are thinking along the same lines. We care for a handicapped family member and we are not getting any younger. Wanting to get a place more suited to our needs. Different problems but same idea. Doesn't sound like your house is going to be easy to convert to your needs. I like the idea of building a new home and renting your present home. If you can keep it rented it might pay for the new home.

2458n · Feb 8, 2015

You are good to start planning now. Most people put it off and deal with it when something happens and end up in a nursing home which eats up everything. With 25 acres you should be able to locate another house on the property. You can check into this next week by going to your local zoning department. Being a landlord is a real pain in the butt. If you are not cut out for this maybe selling off 5 acres would work. Zoning would be able to answer this question for you as well. Our local rules end up with a septic tank costing 25,000. A drive and foundation,plus well add additional dollars. Talk to someone who has done what you are considering doing and ask some questions. You and your wife both need to take health into account. My uncle built a nice home in Colorado,backed up to a national forest. !.5 miles off the grid and they enjoyed life there for 10 years. He died and she had to sell and move shortly. Good luck,at least you have time.

dave1949 · Feb 8, 2015

It might be difficult to find a manufactured home that is truly ADA compliant and geezer friendly. I really don't know. Doors, hallways, correct bathroom layout and fixtures, easy access to an attached garage and to the outside without steps. You definitely want something that is easy living and low maintenance.

One question; are your current foundation issues due to improper building and design, or is your building site at fault such as poor bearing soils or drainage? If it is a marginal site, then building again is either marginal or extra expense. If that is not known, it would be good to have a contractor explain why and what can reasonably be done at what cost.

Would you consider building a new home, move into that, have done what is needed to the current house to put it on the market as a separate house and lot? A Realtor would be useful to explore that idea.

If you add-on to and remodel the current house, an architect can bring a lot to the table. They may help you decide on the keep it or replace it question too.

I think all in all, you need to gather information about all the options before you can make a choice. It sounds like you know that.

HEC · Feb 8, 2015

My good friends and neighbor sold their house as they couldn't keep it up anymore . He is 71 and in fairly good health also but made the move while he was still able . They bought a one level ranch in Florida and seem happy so far . They haven't spent a summer there yet though and have neighbors very close which they didn't have here in Maine. My wife and I are in the same the boat and not sure what to do either . Our nice 25 yr. home is on 100 beautiful acres , at least we think so anyways. We are out in the country and away from everything which isn't the best scenario anymore .

I guess the best idea is to do things while we still can , it is so difficult to leave a place you love so much . I wish you the best in what ever you decide to do . Keep us informed as it may help some of the rest of us .

SIMassey · Feb 8, 2015

Steve IA said:
My wife and I are around 70 , active and in fairly good health w/ good mobility, so far. We live in a rural setting in a 35 yo 1 ｽ story 3 br with the master suite in the loft. Wife's sewing/quilting crafts take ｽ of the walkout basement level. The house is warm and dry with no major defects. The foundation has done some settling the last few years. House has some crooked walls and cracks. We had the 3 sub-grade walls anchored 2 years ago to stabilize buldgeing. New septic system installed when walls repaired. The problem you ask? If something were to happen to one of us and we'd lose mobility, this house is not geezer friendly. Too many stairs and too narrow doorways.
1st option. Extensive remodel with possible footing repair and additional rooms on main floor for 1 floor living. This would mean new master br, larger bath, expansive craft room, possibly expanded kitchen. This is a major undertaking and would require much disruption over months and months, something neither of us want to live with. If not planned and done correctly, we could end up with major renovation and still not be able to live in it as we age. I don't know if this house is worth pouring money into.
2nd option. Move. We don't want to live in town/city. We moved rural 25 years ago and enjoy our seclusion, peace and quiet. The deer and turkey wandering through the yard don't hurt the ambience either. Settings this good are few and far between in this neck of the woods.
3rd option. Set a manufactured house on this site (25 timbered acres) and then tear down this house rather than try to fix it up. Haven't priced such, but suspect we could do this for about the same price as a major overhaul of this house.
Although money is always an issue, this is something we can manage regardless of our choice.

I'm looking for a local expert to look at our situation and help us see the advantages/disadvantages of these choices, as well as possibly offering other suggestions. Who do I call? Contractor? Realtor? Architect? All the above? Any suggestions you may want to offer will be appreciated.

We are in our early sixties and looking at retiring in about a year and a half. Living on the big city in a two story. Looking to build a one story with walkout in northern Clarke county. Wife had a knee replacement two years ago and sent her to a rehab center after being released from the hospital. Told them I didn't want her home until the physical therapists could be satisfied she could go up and down 13 stairs without help. That was the eye opener. We have plans to build the new home with ADA regulations in mind. Everything on one floor, doorways ground level with no stairs. Room in the garage for ramp to house floor level.

The suggestion to build new and rent the other has some merit. Clarke county is still fairly lenient on zoning restrictions. I found that out seven years ago when I built a polebarn on the acreage. It seemed like if they felt you were following all the rules, they didn't bother you with the little things.