Empty Nesters Enjoying Their Homes

As parents, you've worked hard to provide a loving and supportive environment for your children. Now your youngest child is graduating from college and getting their own apartment. Congratulations on becoming empty nesters! There are exciting (and scary) changes ahead for you and your child(ren). It's time for them to leave the nest and take that next step into adult life.

For you, there's more time and money to fulfill the dreams you've been putting off for years. You now have time for traveling, visiting friends and enjoying hobbies new and old. This transition time after your kids move out and while you're still working, is important. Retirement will be more rewarding when you have hobbies you're passionate about, to fill your time and give you satisfaction when you're finally able to stop working. 

Empty Nesters – Deciding to Stay or Move in Retirement

You'll want to take time to decide if you're going to stay in your current home or relocate to be closer to grandchildren. This is a huge decision and we're here to help you consider your options as empty nesters. Some home owners decide to right-size, selling large, 4 bedroom homes and moving to a community where they don't have to worry about exterior home maintenance.

Many baby boomers keep their homes, updating them to support personal hobbies like turning a spare bedroom into a quilt studio or model railroad city. Others, especially those living in cold weather states, buy a second home so they can spend the winter where it's warm. The choices are complex so take 

Empty & Full Again – Sharing Your Home With Extended Family

At the same time we recognize that life happens, and once empty nesters is no guarantee of a peaceful home forever. There are many reasons why children come home again, and it's common enough that it's known as the “boomerang generation”. Fear not as both my sons came home for 1 to 2 years, and then they left and now I have to get on an airplane to visit my granddaughter.

Other home owners find themselves taking on roles supporting elderly parents. Before you make these commitments, consider all available options. Experts warn against having parents move in unless you have separate space for them as privacy for each family member can be an issue.

Home owners joining the “sandwich generation”, taking care of parents and children need to assess their needs. It is possible to modify your home to create an in-law apartment or second master bedroom suite by adding on a room, finishing the basement or converting a family room into a bedroom.

Here are articles to help you research the key decisions home owners consider once their children leave home. With today's economy, things are changing rapidly so be sure to check back for more articles and we'd love for you to share your homeowner story here at Home Tips for Women. 

• Deciding When to Stay in Your Home Versus Moving – You love your home, your neighborhood and can't imagine leaving behind the memories. Realistically though you need to balance these against the budget to maintain a 2,200 sq ft home, an acre of landscaping and more. Get tips here to assess your home choices.

• Evaluating Retirement Communities and Condominiums – If you're considering a move, you need to understand the choices out there. With a focus on homes that don't require any exterior maintenance on your part, we'll give you a quick overview of today's retirement communities, condominiums and more.

• Vacation Homes: When to Buy and Why – Maybe you're worried about the snow and cold winters or lots of your friends are moving south? Let us help you identify why you want a vacation home, what your expectations are in a vacation home and how to find one that will give you the lifestyle you're looking for.

• Creative Home Remodels for Sharing Your Home – What if you're considering bringing a parent to live with you, or worried about a child moving back home? Let's take a look at the most common approaches to stretching your home to give everyone their own privacy, along with shared space like the kitchen.

• Universal Design Tips for Independent Living – Whether you're remodeling or moving to a new retirement home, it pays to learn about new building guidelines and products for senior safety. Here is a quick overview of home and product designs for accessibility and ease of use, i.e. wider doorways and lever handles.

• Redecorating for Your New Life – With your children gone, you can review the home improvement projects you once considered. Maybe you've been wanting a screened porch? You can redecorate a bathroom or turn a child's bedroom into a home office. You'll want to keep important mementos but now is the time to rid yourself of broken furniture, unused items and make space for new memories.