KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Repairs shouldn’t be overlooked, or they’ll become major hurdles in the future.
- Your home should have features that will help you when you get old.
- Energy-efficient solutions are necessary to save up on electricity bills.
- If a home is well-maintained, its market value increases significantly.
Everyone dreams of retiring one day from their job and living the life they’ve always wanted to. But it’s not that easy, as you’ll have to start saving very early if you want to retire and live off completely. For example, in the U.S., most people retire at the age of 60. Would you do the same?
I guess not, because by that time your body would be done for, so you might want to retire early. While you are saving money, it’s important to maintain your house as well as over time, and by the time it won’t get better from minor repairs.
So, in this article, I’ll mention why starting home improvements early is key to your ideal retirement lifestyle. A must-read.
Aligning Your Home with Your Financial Plans
People only think about pensions, 401(k)s, IRAS, and other vehicle-related things while making their retirement plans. They often forget the house they live in is a valuable asset, and over time, its price can go up and put some extra cash in your pocket, and can also become your biggest expense.
Over time, your house needs some major repairs. If you are getting that done, then you are preparing your house for retirement. However, if you are not doing so by the time you retire, the house price will drop significantly.
If you do things side by side while still earning, it will maintain your place, and the costs of retirement will be significantly reduced. Roof replacement, plumbing updates, or accessibility improvements shouldn’t be avoided; and taken care of immediately.
Creating a Comfortable, Accessible Living Space
Our bodies never remain the same as we age. There are certain changes that can’t be avoided, and that’s why you need to set things up accordingly, a start home improvements early.
Start incorporating universal design elements so that, with time, independence, and comfort can both increase. Let’s be honest, as you grow old, you’ll find tasks like navigating stairs, stepping into a tub, or reaching high shelves quite challenging.
This is why features like wider doorways, no-step entries, walk-in showers, lower countertop heights, and improved lighting are must-haves and can’t be compromised.
Avoiding the Rush and Enjoying the Process
Yes, I get it that renovations can be very stressful, and just think if you’ll have to get them done when you are old and gray. That’s why, while you still have the energy and time, get things done without wasting any more time.
Research about the contractors, get things in order, and make thoughtful decisions. It’s up to you which improvement should be considered a priority and which can be done later. Based on those, set the budget.
Just know that when you get old, you are only supposed to relax, and if at that time you take up renovation or any such thing, it would just mess with you.
Increasing Energy Efficiency to Save on Future Costs
Energy bills can pile up real quick, and for the elderly, it can become a source of draining their savings. That’s why, while you are getting your home renovated and making changes, do things that are energy efficient and can decrease your bills.
Install better insulation, replace old windows and doors, invest in energy-efficient appliances, and switch to LED lighting.
These are budget-friendly and sustainable, making them perfect for the household. Solar panel is also a great way to save on electricity bills, along with smart thermostats and water-saving fixtures. Below, you can see the must-have upgrades to save on energy usage.
Boosting Your Home’s Resale Value and Marketability
It’s true that people often indeed on growing in their first house. It carries a lot of memories and sentimental values. But life is unpredictable and sometimes things don’t go according to the plan.
But even if something goes wrong, and you have, a well-maintained residential place will get you a great price that can help you in the long run. On the other hand, if it’s just an old place with no proper maintenance, you would be offered below the market price.
Make it appealing so anyone who looks at it will become instantly attractive. Early improvements boost marketability, giving you more flexibility and negotiating power.
DID YOU KNOW?
Hire a professional who’ll take a look at your whole house and can suggest what repairs you should be getting!
Creating the Retirement Lifestyle You Envision
We all have a plan for what we want to do after retirement, some might want to take on gardening as a hobby, host grandchildren, travel the world, and whatnot. But no matter what you do, your retirement house should reflect those dreams and lifestyle.
With early improvements, you can make changes that would create an environment aligning with your goals. Go get your room designed, add new things to the kitchen, create a beautiful lawn/ backyard, etc.
It’s not like you don’t have enough time, you do, but that’s the thing the more time you have, the more things will get delayed. So, don’t wait around for a tragedy to stuck before you make your move. Start today!
Why is it important to start early when planning for retirement?
If you start planning early, you’ll have enough savings that would give you a comfortable life after retirement. Same with maintaining your house, the earlier you start, the better it’ll be.
Why might retiring early be the best thing you ever do?
You’ll still be in better condition physically, which will give you more time to travel, health benefits, and if you want, you can start a new career as well.
Does retiring early make you happier?
Yes, in most cases, retiring early does make you happier as you get the freedom of living the life the way you want.
