The topic of “universal accessibility” will play an increasingly important role in the US residential real estate market for decades to come, due to a confluence of long term trends:
Rise of Multigenerational Households: Growing due to economic pressures, caregiving needs, and cultural preferences. In 2021, about 18% of US households (roughly 24 million) were multigenerational, quadrupling from the 1970s, per Pew Research. In 2024, 17% of buyers sought homes for three generations, per the National Association of Realtors.
Increasing Preference to Age in Place: 77% of adults over 50 prefer to stay in their homes as they age, according to AARP. By 2038, 34% of households will be headed by someone over 65, up from 26% in 2018, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
Greater Mobility and Safety Needs: Approximately 61 million U.S. adults (1 in 4) have a disability, with mobility issues being common, especially among seniors, with 1 in 4 having a falling incident annually, per the CDC.
We prefer to categorize accessibility design needs under the broader umbrella of Universal Design (UD), as UD encompasses three key needs of residential design from both the perspective of property owners and residents:
Flexibility
Adaptability
Wellness-Focused Aesthetics & Functionality
An underlying advantage of Universal Design is that short-term preferences (e.g. open floorplans, minimalist spaces), can also effectively serve future needs, such as when mobility issues arise, be they temporary or permanent, (e.g. floating vanities; wide hallways and doorways; zero-threshold entrances; etc.).
Related to UD is the popular aspiration of building or purchasing one’s “Forever Home”. Though we empathize with the passion around such a goal, we sense that too few homebuyers realistically understand the necessary traits for a literal “forever home”. For example, here are two related topics important to consider for any long-term "forever home": one-story floorplans and in-home elevators.
Leveraging the flexible traits of Universal Design along your homeownership journey will be an invaluable practice for your current and future health and happiness.
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Assistive Technology can provide additive functionality to Universal Design, transforming residential living for not only persons with disabilities, but persons of all ages and capabilities.
Learn why detached zero lot line homes are becoming increasingly popular, especially with retirees, and what you need to know if considering this type of property.
Universal Design also needs to be complemented with healthy lifestyle choices as we age. See Trend #21 Blue Zone Mentality that includes examples of age-friendly communities.
Median property taxes in the U.S. rose by an average of 10.4% from 2021 to 2023 (the latest year of available data), according to a recently released LendingTree report.
Transform your indoor and outdoor spaces into safe, quiet and convenient fitness areas with Rubber King's Interlocking Gym Floor Tiles made of recycled rubber. This versatile flooring solution is designed with ease-of-use in mind, making it simple for anyone to install and enjoy. Whether you’re setting up an indoor or outdoor home gym, a play area for kids, or a comfortable music studio, this high-performance flooring provides the durability and safety you'll need.
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That's it for this week's newsletter. We hope you enjoy our latest content and find it helpful in your journey to become a resourceful and fulfilled homeowner. Stay tuned for more updates, and reach out to us if you have any questions or suggestions for future content topics!
