First floor master bedroom

[Anonymous]

I figure that it will be less expensive in the long run to have a house that works for us as we age. In the mean time, I could use it for my parents.
I am trying to find a house in MD with such accommodations, but no such luck. I will probably have to add onto an existing home, but I still need the right size yard to do this.
I want handicapped everything with the hopes that I will be able to die there.
Has anyone tried to get this done?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I figure that it will be less expensive in the long run to have a house that works for us as we age. In the mean time, I could use it for my parents.
I am trying to find a house in MD with such accommodations, but no such luck. I will probably have to add onto an existing home, but I still need the right size yard to do this.
I want handicapped everything with the hopes that I will be able to die there.
Has anyone tried to get this done?

I have a handicapped child and have been looking for houses with ANY bedrooms on the first floor for several years. They are few and far between and small and atrocious. Generally when they are advertised they turn out to be bedrooms that are actually in the basement or all purpose rooms. Or small ranch houses with three bedrooms in very few square feet.

The best bet appears to be retrofitting, working with an architect, even installing elevators. If you are serious, I can put you in touch with friends that have done this, working with architects that specialize in handicapped retrofitting.

[Anonymous]

I am astounded that we have requirements in housing developments for low income families, but not for handicapped and the elderly. I wish that a certain percentage of homes were built to suit these needs.

[Anonymous]

We have been looking for one story house, like a rambler or a patio house. Not too many in our neighborhood in NoVa. We will probably have to buy a tear-down property and have it custom built. It will be more expensive, but totally worth it in the end.

[Anonymous]

You need the yard space for the foot print that will be bigger.

[Anonymous]

When I think about it, unless we die suddenly, we will all be disabled at some point, so there is a real need in every home.

[Anonymous]

For exactly those reasons instead of moving we are now in process of doing a renov./addition that includes a 1st floor bedroom & universal access bath.

For me when i have to do a knee replacement in 10 or so yrs.; for my mother short term for visits while she's still around;and for both of us (moving the laundry to 1st floor too) since we plan to stay in the house another 15-20+ yrs. ( 56 & 51 now).

[Anonymous]

I remember seeing a few models in Crosspointe (Fairfax Station) that had masters on first levels. I plan on building w/ this in mind for my parents who are only in their fifties , but it is inevitable

http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW05464/four-bedroom-spanish-revival

hopefully my mom and mil won't need assitance at the same time otherwise it'll look like that scene from Charlie and the chocolate factory w/ all the grandparents in bed together :/

[Anonymous]

There is a lovely one on the market on Merrick road, in Bethesda, with the master suite on the first floor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I figure that it will be less expensive in the long run to have a house that works for us as we age. In the mean time, I could use it for my parents.
I am trying to find a house in MD with such accommodations, but no such luck. I will probably have to add onto an existing home, but I still need the right size yard to do this.
I want handicapped everything with the hopes that I will be able to die there.
Has anyone tried to get this done?

I have a handicapped child and have been looking for houses with ANY bedrooms on the first floor for several years. They are few and far between and small and atrocious. Generally when they are advertised they turn out to be bedrooms that are actually in the basement or all purpose rooms. Or small ranch houses with three bedrooms in very few square feet.

The best bet appears to be retrofitting, working with an architect, even installing elevators. If you are serious, I can put you in touch with friends that have done this, working with architects that specialize in handicapped retrofitting.

Well, you either haven't looked very hard -this was a very popular option in new homes/McMansions that went up over the years. Also ramblers - they have bedrooms on the first floor.

[Anonymous]

So do cape's. We have a 4 bedroom cape with 2 bedroom's up and two down. There is also a full bathroom downstairs. We could knock down a wall between the two first floor bedroom's to make a master suite.

Re the elevator - if you decide to build the best/cheapest thing to do is include an elevator shaft in the architectural plans. You don't have to put in an elevator right away but it makes it more affordable in the long run.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I remember seeing a few models in Crosspointe (Fairfax Station) that had masters on first levels. I plan on building w/ this in mind for my parents who are only in their fifties , but it is inevitable

http://www.homeplans.com/plan-detail/HOMEPW05464/four-bedroom-spanish-revival

hopefully my mom and mil won't need assitance at the same time otherwise it'll look like that scene from Charlie and the chocolate factory w/ all the grandparents in bed together :/

I'm in my fifties. Just curious as to why you think they will live with you or is this just for a guest room.

[Anonymous]

I sometimes think that the builders have a deal going the retirement communities to make it so that we can't stay at home. Families throw cash away to the assisted living corps because grandma can't wheel into a shower?

[Anonymous]

We just sold my MILs house in Annandale (Willow Woods) -- 1960s brick. Most houses in that area have everything on the main floor, with a full, finished basement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I figure that it will be less expensive in the long run to have a house that works for us as we age. In the mean time, I could use it for my parents.
I am trying to find a house in MD with such accommodations, but no such luck. I will probably have to add onto an existing home, but I still need the right size yard to do this.
I want handicapped everything with the hopes that I will be able to die there.
Has anyone tried to get this done?

I have a handicapped child and have been looking for houses with ANY bedrooms on the first floor for several years. They are few and far between and small and atrocious. Generally when they are advertised they turn out to be bedrooms that are actually in the basement or all purpose rooms. Or small ranch houses with three bedrooms in very few square feet.

The best bet appears to be retrofitting, working with an architect, even installing elevators. If you are serious, I can put you in touch with friends that have done this, working with architects that specialize in handicapped retrofitting.

Well, you either haven't looked very hard -this was a very popular option in new homes/McMansions that went up over the years. Also ramblers - they have bedrooms on the first floor.

I'm guessing OP and others are hoping not to be forced into the hinterlands and tacky new construction. Most homes close-in are older.