As Nashville’s “It City” status grows, more and more homeowners are settling into houses across our area’s vibrant neighborhoods. The Wills Company partners with homeowners to ensure their cherished spaces and places are beautifully designed, constructed, and maintained, so they can focus on the personalizing and accessorizing of their personal retreats.
Wills Company Offers Insights for Accessorizing Your Nashville Home
When it’s time to add special touches to your home (perhaps after a Wills Company renovation project), reference this list of home decor stores located in and around Nashville. These are just a few of the unique gems those of us in the residential design scene are excited to welcome into the evolving mix of options in our fair city.
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Look for more “At Home in Nashville” lists to come in future blog posts.
The Wills Company is your Nashville source for design-build, home renovations, and handyman services. Our experienced, talented craftsmen are experts at designing, building, repairing, and maintaining residential spaces⎯-both inside and out. As part of the Nashville community for generations, we understand the unique sensibilities of longtime locals and Nashville newbies alike. Turn to us for home solutions that you and your family can live with beautifully for years to come.
Did you know that exterior updates can provide the biggest return on investment for homeowners like you? Recent “Cost Vs. Value” reports reveal that you can get the biggest bang for your buck by focusing on exterior updates for your residence. This is helpful to know if you’re deciding how to direct your efforts and budget for any upcoming home projects.
Of course, “exterior updates” is a broad topic that could encompass items such house painting and landscaping—and so many other things in between. So, what types of exterior update projects should you target? With our perspective from the professional handyman industry, here’s our list of suggestions to help you know where to begin—and when to call the handyman for help!
– Front Doors: Whether your front door needs painting or replacing, you’ll be well served to address your door’s status during exterior updates. Did you know replacing steel entry doors may not only enhance the look of your home, but could also bring nearly 86% ROI when it comes time to sell? Of course, simply painting your front door can give your whole house a face lift, as well.
Call the handyman to manage front door replacement or painting if you have no experience dealign with such tasks. An experienced pro can handle new door transporting and installation with great efficiency; likewise, that pro will know the ins and outs of on how to paint doors to look good long term, as well.
– Siding: If your home has siding, you should inspect often to make sure it’s holding up and looking good in spite of constant exposure to weather and outdoor elements. Power washing helps to keep siding looking its best, as it removes grime, mildew, and build up. Of course, at some point, siding will need replacing, as maybe indicated by warping and staining that can’t be cleaned or repaired.
Call the handyman to get an expert inspection and diagnosis for the best method to keep siding at its best. Power washing may seem simple enough, but differ to the handyman’s experience if you are uncertain of completing the job yourself. If it’s time to replace siding, definitely call in the pro to manage the project for ease of mind.
– Details, details, details: Give your entire home’s exterior a review a few times a year, being sure to give the once-over to walkways, decks, and patio areas. Look for cracks in concrete, dents in gutters, compromises in wood trim around doors and window frames, overgrown bushes or vines. etc.
Call the handyman to eyeball the exterior once a year, in supplement to your own inspections. The trained eye of a pro may catch issues earlier on or see things you may not even notice. Often, the handyman can address issues at first stages (caulking small cracks, repairing loose trim, spot painting), sparing you more costly renovations or replacements down the road.
Find a range of ideas for maintaining your home’s exterior over on our Houzz account (and while you’re there, share a comment or review; we’d love to hear from you!).
The Wills Company is your go-to for handyman projects of any scale. We have a staff of trusted professionals who are highly trained, capable, and experienced in home maintenance, repairs, and updates. We are on the ready to help not only when problems arise, but we’re also here to support you in preventative upkeep and overall home improvements as well. We’ll help you keep your home performing and looking its best—from the inside out! Our “Call the Handyman” blog series is designed to help you make smart, efficient choices about obtaining professional help around the house.
It’s likely that your home will be one of the largest investments you ever make in your life. This investment is far more than financial in nature; studies show that 56% of people between 65 and 74 years of age and 63% of those 75 years or older believe their homes’ value is more emotional than monetary, and 89% of Americans 50+ state the desire to stay in their current homes long term. Regardless of the emotional factors, the financial impact of where you live into those golden years is potentially massive, making it imperative that you think ahead. The monetary benefits of being able to remain in your home and forego institutional care (retirement homes, assisted living facilities) as long as possible are incredibly compelling.
Let’s look at the dollars and common sense of planning ahead to “age in place,” stay in your home for the long term.
Potential for mortgage-free or cost-contained living: By the time you reach retirement age, you may have already paid off your home. A 2013 Zillow study found that 39 percent of people aged 65 to 84 own their homes outright. Certainly, many people who reach retirement and have owned their homes for a long while have smaller mortgage payments and increased equity. Minimal monthly living expenses during retirement years is empowering, as it frees funds for other priorities.
Ability to manage long term care more affordably in the home: Generally speaking, nursing home costs are three to five times more expensive than non-institutional care that’s provided in home or medical office settings. In the mid-2000s, a study revealed that the median monthly payment for non-institutional care was $928 compared to $5,243 for nursing homes. And costs for institutional care are perpetually on the rise. In 2012, the average private room daily rate increased 3.8 percent, exceeding the inflation rate. In short, it’s more affordable to stay in your home and receive the care you need there.
Other cost savings: By staying in your house through all of life’s stages, you’re in a much better position to contain a range of expenditures much more effectively. Food costs, lodging expenses for visiting family members, even various rates for monthly bills can be better managed in a self-contained, residential environment. Also, people who stay in their homes often see slower degeneration of health and emotional/mental status, and that can equate to fewer costly medical issues, less need for prescriptions, etc.
Hopefully—no matter your age today, you’re saving for retirement, investing a percentage of your current income so that you may live well in the future. Now is the time to factor your home into your retirement planning; by prioritizing aging in place updates today, when you’re still working and earning, you’ll be in a position of strength in the future. It will serve you—and those who love you—very well to make certain your home is updated and designed to accommodate whatever age or stage of life you’re in. Over the long haul, this approach adds up to real savings and valuable common sense.
A Few Smart Solutions from the Wills Company to Help Homeowners Age in Place
Look for specific ideas for making your home future-ready in upcoming articles in the Wills Company Aging in Place blog series.
The Wills Company specializes in providing design-build, remodeling, and handyman services that can help homeowners like you stay in current residences for years to come. When you’re ready to make your home ready for aging in place, we’re here to create a safe, accessible and comfortable home that blends universal design elements with visual appeal to make your house a home for a lifetime!
Once upon a time, you loved the in-ground pool in your backyard. It was your family’s oasis and recreation, as well as a great place to entertain. However, the tides have now changed. Perhaps the kids have grown and moved out. Maybe you want to travel more often and splash in the ocean instead. Or possibly, you now have little ones around, making safety a bigger concern. Maybe you’re over and done with fighting the pool cover, scooping leaves, and emptying baskets.
If your love for your inground pool has dried up, you need a smart solution. There’s no sense going off the deep end, dealing with upkeep and maintenance issues for what has become nothing more than a large hole, aka “a money pit,” in your backyard.
It’s time to consider filling in the pool.
This is a supremely smart solution for the long term. By having your pool professionally filled in, you’ll reclaim your yard and transform it into usable space, and importantly, you’ll rid yourself of the costs and effort associated with pool maintenance.
Case in Point: We managed what turned out to be a beautiful in-ground pool fill-in project at a home in Nashville. The client came to us, weary with the burdens of the family’s dated and unused pool. Working closing with our client, we reimagined the space that was swallowed by the pool, focusing on the homeowner’s priorities. The family wanted space to entertain, relax, and basically extend their living area to the outside.
From the professional fill-in process to the creation of a stunning hardscape with water feature, fire pit, and patio area, we helped this homeowner rediscover the joys and benefits of the home’s backyard. We maximized the space to make it truly livable—and extension of their interior living room. The house seemed to double in size as a result.
Does a pool fill-in seem to the smart solution you’ve been looking for? Remember these key points as you make a decision to move forward to reclaim your backyard.
– Seek professional project management. An in-ground pool is a cavernous hole in your backyard, and it must be dealt with expertly to avoid drainage and structural/stability issues that may arise long term.
– Determine your goals and priorities. Decide what you want to replace the space currently dominated by the pool. Flower beds, lawn, a patio—make sure your choice is right not just for the moment, but the future, as well.
– Invest for the best. Planning and budgeting for a pool fill-in project can bring gains going forward. Not only can you better enjoy your yard, but you may actually boost the home’s resale value as the presence of a pool can actually detract from a home’s value depending on current market preference.
The Wills Company specializes in providing design-build, remodeling, and handyman services that can help homeowners like you maximize the enjoyment of your home’s exterior and interior spaces. When you’re ready to fill in that in-ground pool and create a usable backyard oasis, we’re here to design and manage the project for best results!
Have you heard the phrase “aging in place?” It’s a term referring to the ability of homeowners to remain in their houses throughout all stages of life. As the U.S. population is living longer, we’re hearing this phrase quite often in the design-build and remodeling industries—and we’re increasingly called to help clients modify their residences to accommodate the needs of their advancing years. Many homeowners would rather plan to stay in the houses they love than plan to move to a retirement or assisted living facility.
Hard though it may be to fathom, aging in place should be a consideration even if you’re relatively young—still climbing the corporate ladder and raising a growing family. Decisions you make now regarding your house can circle back around to affect your future self and family.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll take a look at ideas to help you and your loved ones age in place here on The Wills Company blog in a special series of articles. Today, we start by providing you with an Aging in Place Checklist to help you begin to assess the future-readiness of your residence.
Neighborhood & Community
rate of growth in your area
ease of navigating area by car and on foot
proximity to family and friends
proximity to conveniences, commerce, worship and community facilities
Home Exterior
length of driveway and turnaround area
configuration of entrances into home, use of stairs
garage or covered parking
safety features and exterior lighting
amount of green space requiring maintenance
required, ongoing maintenance of exterior building materials
Home Interior
configuration of entire household with special attention to location of master suite
number of steps throughout and nature of thresholds
cabinet heights in bathrooms and kitchen
accessibility of key features in baths and kitchen, e.g.- knobs, switches, shower entry
lighting throughout, including access to switches and plugs, lighting types, etc.
use of technology, including climate controls, entertainment considerations, etc.
configuration of closets and storage areas
width of hallways and doorways
The checklist is just the beginning. Come back to our blog soon to learn more about the many ways you can stay in your home-sweet-home long term.
The Wills Company specializes in providing design-build, remodeling, and handyman services that can help homeowners like you stay in current residences for years to come. When you’re ready to make your home ready for aging in place, we’re here to create a safe, accessible and comfortable home that blends universal design elements with visual appeal to make your house a home for a lifetime!
