Rethinking Home
After
spending so much time at home during this pandemic, you’re probably seeing all
the flaws in your house. Sure, there’s the normal stuff, including that
dripping faucet, the cracked bathroom tiles, and that carpet that needed
replacement years ago.
But
there are often bigger issues. Maybe the house no longer fits your needs,
especially if you anticipate spending vast amounts of time at home even after
the stay-at-home orders expire.
Others
also have noticed their homes’ shortcomings, according to a REALTOR.com survey
(https://bit.ly/2WulKIN). It looked at consumer
preferences and how the Covid-19 lockdowns have changed their perception about
their wants in a home.
Though
survey participants were based in the United States, the feelings likely are
shared by people well beyond the U.S. borders, given that so many also have
been hunkered down for weeks or months.
It’s
no surprise that with parks, restaurants, and other gathering places shut down,
people are treasuring outdoor space. That’s reflected in the survey. When
respondents were asked about the features that have gotten more important to
them during the pandemic, a wish for a patio or yard took the number two spot,
accounting for 13.2 percent of responses. A quiet neighborhood topped the list
(13.4% of responses).
One in
five respondents said that more space is the most desired change in their
current living situation. Updated kitchens (13%) and home gyms (11.3%) ranked
second and third.
Wished-for
amenities vary by age, gender, parenting status, and whether respondents were
renters or owners.
For
instance, renters would like a quiet neighborhood, storage, and a spare
bedroom.
Parents
with young kids value flexible space like craft areas, game rooms, a home
office, and workout space. They’re also interested in either an in-law suite or
an accessory dwelling unit (ADU).
Kitchen
updates, house style, and more space ranked higher with those over the age of
55.
With
so many working from home, consumers also say they’d appreciate better
technology like faster WiFi and smart home features.
Respondents
in the 55-plus age group were the most likely to be content with their current
home, yet in a future property, they’d value a bigger house, an updated
kitchen, and better technology.
Getting connected
One of
the most challenging aspects of the stay-at-home orders during this pandemic
has been the isolation and separation from family and friends.
Perhaps
no group has experienced these feelings of isolation more acutely than seniors.
It’s
made worse when seniors’ access to and ability to operate technology is
limited.
Though
jumping on a Zoom (the free video conferencing platform) meeting is a cinch for
younger people, it can be an enormous challenge for some seniors.
There’s
help for seniors who want to learn to better understand and use Zoom.
Planet
Seniors offers a written step-by-step guide in English, Spanish, and
Chinese, (https://bit.ly/2LvclKE) that you can use to walk the
senior in your life through the set-up.
This
video (https://bit.ly/3burNkR) provides simple,
easy-to-understand directions
Visit
the Zoom help center (https://bit.ly/3dIOxz9) for details about getting
started with and navigating Zoom.
Smart ways to invest
$1,200 stimulus check
If
you’re lucky enough to not need the Economic Impact Payments authorized by the
Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) – more commonly
known as the $1,200 stimulus check --
for immediate expenses, treat It like a windfall and use it wisely.
Here
are three ideas.
1. High-interest debt. Pay off all or some of your
credit card debt.
2. Emergency fund. Stoke your emergency fund. It’s
smart to have three to six months’ worth of living expenses in savings.
3. Fund your IRA. Now that the tax filing deadline has been
extended to July 15th, you have until then to add money to your Roth
or Traditional IRA. For those over the age of 50, the maximum contribution is
$7,000 for 2019.
|
Real Estate Matters: News &
Issues for the Mature Market
Coldwell Banker Premier Group 2203 S. Big Bend Blvd St. Louis, MO 63117 Matt Wroughton - SRES, PSA |
 |
|
||
