A forever home is one you can enjoy for decades, and a few features make that much easier. This checklist covers what to look for when you shop and what to plan for later. You do not need every item, and many are simple to add.
At the entrance
- A no-step or low-step entrance, or a spot where a ramp could go.
- A covered, well-lit entry with a place to set packages and groceries.
- Door hardware with lever handles that are easy to use with a full hand.
Living areas
- Single-level living, or a main floor with a bedroom and a full bath.
- Wide doorways and hallways with room to turn.
- Floors that are non-slip and level, with few thresholds and loose rugs.
- Good lighting, with switches at a comfortable height and light in halls and stairs.
Kitchen and bath
- A walk-in or low-threshold shower with a seat, and walls ready for grab bars (blocking added in the wall makes it easy later).
- A comfort-height toilet, and a vanity you can use sitting or standing.
- Kitchen storage in drawers and between waist and shoulder height, and appliances with front controls.
Safety and support
- Handrails on both sides of stairs and good lighting.
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and a clear way out.
- Space for a caregiver or live-in family: a bedroom and bath on the main floor or an accessory dwelling unit on the lot.
- Outdoor areas that are easy to maintain, with level paths.
Resources
- AARP's HomeFit Guide walks through a home room by room.
- Many occupational therapists and contractors with aging-in-place training, including the Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credential, can do a home assessment and suggest changes.
The numbers
- What will upkeep cost over the years? The long-term cost of owning calculator and the home maintenance planner show it.
- Thinking about a smaller home? Try the downsizing calculator, including the Proposition 19 property tax transfer for homeowners 55 and older.
- Compare homes by commute and monthly cost: Compare Two Homes.
Talk to a lender. Rates, loan programs and approvals come from lenders, not from websites or real estate agents. Talk to your own mortgage broker, or use our preferred lender, Point Mortgage Corporation (NMLS #231073), at (619) 475-4095. You are always free to choose any lender you like, and you can verify any lender’s license at nmlsconsumeraccess.org.
General information, not legal, tax or lending advice. Rules, schedules and programs change, so confirm current details with the official source.
More guides
- The Best Time to Buy or Sell in San Diego, Month by Month — Charts and numbers show which months San Diego homes sell most, when prices peak and when buyers have the most room to negotiate.
- Printable Neighborhood Sheets by ZIP Code — A one-page, printable snapshot of any San Diego County ZIP code: typical values, rent, days to sell, income and the age of homes.
- Questions to Ask a Mortgage Lender Before You Choose One — A printable list of questions that help you compare lenders on equal footing, and what to look for on the Loan Estimate.
- HOA Dues and Mello-Roos Taxes: What They Are and What to Ask — Two costs that sit outside the mortgage and change what a home really costs each month, with the documents to request before you buy.