Kephart Living

New Report Confirms Multigenerational Living is on the Rise

2010-04-06T08:32:00.003-06:00

This great article ascertains that demographic changes are the main catalyst driving the return of the multi-generational housing trend. Sidekick Homes are one of the solutions to meet this increasing housing need.

Have you thought about your own family dynamic changing now or in the future?

http://pewsocialtrends.org/pubs/752/the-return-of-the-multi-generational-family-household

Life in the Green Lane

2010-03-31T10:06:00.002-06:00

Sustainable and Eco-friendly thinking has surpassed trend status and has become a way of life for many of us. Have you made the switch in any of your habits or in the way you live? Consider these simple ways to encourage longevity of the planet and support sustainable living

1.) Get moving. Walk instead of driving. Walking will help keep you fit, save you money and reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere. Use public transport when you have to travel or start a carpool with neighbors.
2.) Insulate. Insulating your home will quickly pay for itself in lower heating bills. Find out about grants in your area towards installing new or thicker insulation made with green materials.
3.) Repurpose. Restyle, recover or makeover furniture that is no longer to your taste before throwing pieces away. Learn how to make slipcovers for furniture from a library book or the Internet, or invest in a staple gun to easily recover headboards or reupholster dining chairs painted to suit your new look. Use your imagination and save a bundle.
4.) Buy loose. Choose unpackaged foods and goods whenever possible. Not only is this usually a much cheaper option than branded goods, it saves on all that unnecessary packaging. Select the refillable, reusable container over the disposable, throwaway one.
5.) Become an arborist. Plant a tree or several if you have the space in your yard. Better yet, plant fruit trees and you can enjoy the produce as they clean up carbon dioxide from the air.
6.) Detox your space. Use eco-friendly cleaning and disinfecting products or make your own from the recipes at http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/galavoie/ENVIRO.HTM. Seventh Generation also offers an affordable line.
7.) Go by way of the biodegradable. Try to use recycled and natural products whenever possible. Avoid plastic as much as possible, as it accounts for a large amount of landfill waste. If you must buy plastic containers look for those with a label 1 or 2. These are much easier to recycle than those numbered 3 to 7.

Small Town Active Living

2010-03-16T18:15:00.001-06:00

Two thirds of the boomers would prefer to live in a rural location or a small town, according to recent surveys by the National Association of REALTORS.

Young adults leave town after high school or within a few years to seek work in a larger city with a stronger job base and greater career opportunities. Some rural towns have changed and survived by finding livelihoods other than agriculture. Perryville, Missouri, my hometown, has been able to entice small industries. Madison, Georgia is rich in southern history, Eureka Springs, Arkansas has grown around the big business of Christian “Passion Plays”, and other rural towns have the good fortunate to be located near attractive scenic areas.

Active Adults is a term commonly used to describe people over 55 who have lots of living left in them. They are healthy, productive and energetic. Where to retire now that the kids are gone, is paramount in people’s minds. Historically, as many as 50% of people move to a new home sometime in retirement. The desire to stay near the familiar is powerful, but is eventually outweighed by the promise of adventure, and an easier, relaxed lifestyle.

Active Adult Communities are specifically designed to offer the fun, adventure and the new relationships with like-minded people that young retirees want. Sun City in Arizona, created in the 1960’s, continues to attract thousands of active adults in communities around the country. An active adult community typically has something for everyone, sports galore, fitness and wellness services, and special interest clubs for any interest.

Small towns can offer all of this in a more authentic package. The people are friendly and they include children and young adults, as well as others our own age. Most of us nearing retirement age enjoy the spirit of young people and the inspiration they give us to enjoy each day. Look outside your big city, small towns still abound within a short drive of the city. One of those may be the perfect Active Adult Small Town.

87% of Denver Homeowners left out

2010-03-03T10:31:00.001-07:00

Denver’s new zoning ordinance is nearly complete after several years of hard work by citizens and staff. The code is a form-based model, a revolutionary approach introduced by Peter Park, Manager of Community Planning and Development. There remains much to review and debate before the City Council adopts the code by their vote in Feb. or March 2010.

One of the early promises by the Blueprint Denver Committee at the outset was to include Granny Flats, officially known as Accessory Dwelling units, or ADUs. These small homes would be allowed in the backyards of single-family homes for the purpose of housing Denver’s rapidly aging population, at little cost to the city. Family incomes could also be supplemented by renting an ADU, or they could be used as guesthouses, Nanny Quarters, or studios.

The code drafters have included ADUs, in the written book in several single-family zones, but those particular zones are only shown on the proposed zoning map for 13% of the total single-family area in the city, according to the Denver planning office. This give and then take policy is ultimately unfair. On one hand, the city can tell citizens that want ADUs that they are written into the zoning book in many zones, and on the other hand they can tell the opposition, that ADUs will not be allowed in their neighborhood. I admit that the planners are in the middle of neighbors having a disagreement, but can our council people continue to play this game or will they do what’s right and give every single-family property owner the same opportunity.

Neighbors concerned about the impact of ADUs on their property have mentioned the following issues: overcrowded street parking, Design compatibility with existing homes, shading of adjacent yards, lack of open space, poorly managed rental units, noise created by young student renters, the increase in neighborhood population. These are legitimate concerns, and most can be managed by regulations that address each particular concern. If a homeowner cannot comply with the regulations, then they cannot build an ADU in their backyard.

Newly Published! Building for Boomers: Guide to design and construction

2010-02-23T17:59:00.001-07:00

The day has finally arrived; our book is now officially published. Judy Schriener and I have had our heads immersed in the details for the last several months, capping off more than two years of research and writing, and now it’s time to step back and review our work. Although there have been radical changes in the housing market recently, those changes must be viewed in the context of the powerful changes the Baby Boomers have been responsible for over the last 64 years since they began to come upon the scene. And they aren’t done yet!

We reviewed our work late in 2009 to see what had changed in the marketplace that we needed to include in the book and found only the obvious; the market for housing was dangerously depressed. The dreams and wishes of Boomers hadn’t changed. Yes, new home purchases are being delayed and smaller homes may be considered, but the housing preferences of Boomers have not fundamentally changed. We acknowledged the extraordinary market conditions but felt our book was solid in its reporting on the lifestyle choices of Boomers.

You can find the book on Amazon.com and other national retailers. You can also go directly to the publisher, McGraw-Hill Construction. We hope this book will find its way to reference shelves in Architectural offices, in Development Companies, in Schools and on your shelf as well. As the subtitle says, “it’s a guide to design and construction”.

Mike Kephart AIA

Between the Sea and the Land

2010-02-15T18:02:00.000-07:00

In a couple of weeks I plan to return to Andros Island in the Bahamas for a week of fishing with a few friends, as I try to do every year. We fish in pairs with a guide to help locate our primary prey, the bonefish. The following is something I wrote two years ago on my way home from our annual trip to either the Bahamas, The Turniff Islands off the coast of Belize, or Ascension Bay on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.

Saltwater flats are neither sea nor land. Life there includes water creatures from sharks to shellfish, plus diving pelicans and other flying predators, who compete with the barracuda and sharks for fish, especially the bonefish. Sting Rays occasionally shake loose the sand covering their bodies, move away from our approaching feet, and again nose into the bottom to hide from the sharks. Seemingly unafraid, a larger Manta Ray drifts slowly by. The rising tide draws dark schools of bonefish from the depths onto the flats in search of crabs no longer protected by the shallow water. Bonefish appear from nowhere pushing a nervous mound of water in front of their advance, or pause, tails in the air, to search for crustaceans in the sand. They sense danger from everywhere and, at the least provocation, disappear as quickly as they appeared. A lone dark fin above the water traveling quickly in a straight line traces the passage of a single permit, the elusive fish’s mirror-like body invisible, except for that fin. A loud splash means death for something and a meal for a barracuda. The ever-present wind, a friend at my back and a foe in my face, conspires with the low angling sun to render my target either invisible or impossible to reach with a weightless fly. With luck, a fly placed in front of the moving fish and retrieved in slow jerks will catch the attention of one in the school. A bump on the line is answered with a solid pull, a slow rising of the rod tip, and line screams from the reel. Sharks gather and the barracuda wait to see how tired the soon to be released fish may be. Time passes quickly, and all too soon the fish follow the falling tide, and I am left alone with the crabs, the setting sun, and the wind, finally at my back.

Get Ordinized! Your City and Accessory Dwelling Units

2010-02-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Accessory dwelling unit legislation can be in your city and your neighborhood, but it will take some time and energy on your part to deliver the message to your neighbors and city officials. The city of Arvada, Colorado introduced new legislation a year ago and had their ordinance in place within a year with little to no fuss. The following is a six (6)-point process we recommend that you follow to ensure your best chances of success.

1- Build your story. You should read everything you can on the pros and cons of backyard cottages. We believe you will find that the idea is very family friendly. It’s where family meets neighborhood that needs care in crafting. If opposition develops they will become students of the history of ADUs as well and it’s best to be able to address all real problems.
2- Find an advocate on the city staff. Young planners are often the ones who write these ordinances for consideration of their superiors and politicians.
3- Find an advocate on the City Council or Board of Commissioners who will be willing to carry the legislation to the rest of their peers for consideration.
4- Talk to neighborhood leaders. Actually this should be done before anything is written or submitted for review to the city. Your neighbors are your friends and you should engage them in the drafting of the details of the ordinance. If you fail to take this step you risk making enemies of the very people who will benefit from this legislation.
5- Start with a good model code. Use the AARP model which is on their website, or use a local one from a neighboring city if their experience was positive.
6- Don’t rush it and be certain that everyone is heard. Misunderstandings on the subject are common and should be clarified.

Imprints

2010-02-01T15:49:00.003-07:00

Imprints are strong emotional experiences in our lives that have “imprinted” themselves on our brain to become part of the tapestry of memories that shape our responses to ideas in our living environment such as: comfort, safety, social status, happiness, fun and connections with others. These “imprints” come into play when we think of the home, of our childhood neighborhood or when we first experience a space new to us, such as a renovated Loft in an urban setting or a new model home in suburbia. Our reactions, influenced by our imprints are gut level or instinctual rather than the reasoned analysis of: location, home size, and/or cost. Imprints can be either positive or negative.

If our imprints from the past were largely positive ones from an experience of rural living, we might have a difficult time seeing that contemporary downtown loft as an attractive place to live and the suburban neighborhood, full of tightly spaced homes, could be as unappealing to us as well. Changing our current imprints is difficult, so our reactions to experiences will not easily change, but new imprints are being formed every day as we learn and grow and these replace those old imprints over time.

You can see why people often choose lifestyles similar to their parents and are slow to turn to new ideas and forms of living, like lofts, or in the case of someone who grew up in a city apartment and couldn’t imagine living in a single family home much less a small town. It takes time to learn to accept change and imprints, or the lack of them. Imprints may cause us to design our homes ever so slowly, and new ideas are greeted more with suspicion than acceptance. That’s how it’s been with my neighbors and their suspicion of accessory dwellings. They say they are concerned about parking, the potential shading of a neighbor’s garden, or the design compatibility of the new additions to the neighborhood architectural fabric. That’s what they say, but they may be reacting instinctively to old imprints they still harbor within themselves. Part of our job is to give people a reason to develop new positive imprints with beautiful efficient non-intrusive backyard cottages that they can point to with pride.

Las Vegas show highlights Backyard Cottages

2010-01-24T14:12:00.001-07:00

During the week of January 19 the huge National Builders’ Show and Building Products Exposition was the talk of Las Vegas. Homebuilders, Architects, Community Planners, Realtors, new home sales and marketing companies, and building product manufacturers attend this yearly event. Dozens of seminars and presentations are given educating the diverse crowd about the newest and best ideas and practices in home design and building.

Mike Kephart, Owner and designer of Sidekick Homes by Kephart Living, and Founder of Kephart, community, planning, architecture, was featured in two of those seminars along with other notable architects, Don Evans, Michael Medick, and Ed Hord. Judy Schriener, Mike Kephart’s Co-Author on their recent book, Building for Boomers, Joined Mike in one of those presentations. They revealed some of the myths and misunderstandings about the huge population segment called Baby Boomers, most importantly, that Boomers are much more complex than any attempt to stereotype them as a single group can capture.

A segment of those Baby Boomers still have school age children at home, and are considering bringing an aging relative or two in with them as well. They’ve been dubbed, “The Sandwich Generation,” because of their situation. These are the families that can benefit most from the simple addition of a Carriage House or Granny Flat in their backyard, and they are the population that Sidekick Homes was created to serve. An additional independent home is perfect for an adult child or two, a guest suite, or a home for mom or dad who feel safer by being close by. In most cases that dwelling can also be rented to supplement the family income.

Accessory Dwelling Units, (ADUs) the official zoning name for carriage houses, are an old idea being revived in this time of stress on American families. They were popular and plentiful in the first half of the 20th century and are a new and improved idea for today. This recycling of old ideas is common in life and it’s usually because those ideas are fundamentally sound.

Smaller is Greener Part II

2009-06-12T16:05:00.001-06:00

Location
Smaller is greener can also be seen in how we choose our places to live, our footprint on the land, to use the language of today. The family that chooses to buy a home in a location requiring long commutes often does so because the home costs less than buying one in town closer to work. That simple decision, multiplied by the thousands of similar decisions, has unintended consequences that negatively affect all of us. This is sprawl with its obvious consequences. The road building and maintenance needed to serve all these commuters requires additional taxes to fund the costs. Sprawl gobbles up additional land and resources, and the fuel consumed to power all the cars needed to travel the longer distances hastens the end to our oil reserves. Consider the empty nester couple that finally realizes their lifelong dream of owning a second home in a vacation setting. Their presence chips away at the very wilderness they love and we all treasure. That second home, combined with the original home, also uses twice the number of trees, and double the quantities of minerals and rock, often mined from our mountains, to make the concrete for the foundations.

When second homes sit unoccupied for most of the year they are a burden on local communities without the benefits of the personal contributions permanent residents provide such as volunteer efforts and input in the political process. They are also not contributing to the local economy, by shopping and dining, as a permanent resident would.

I met a nice couple from Kansas one night in The Alpine Lodge restaurant, in the foothills of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains southwest of Westcliffe, Colorado. I was enjoying a steak dinner before I set out the next morning for a week of backpacking and fishing the high lakes. Some years ago this couple had purchased a 35-acre “ranchette” in the valley near Westcliffe and, nearing retirement, they were making plans to move to the valley permanently.

It was an exciting time for them and they were celebrating. These nice people, along with their fellow Kansans, Texans, etc., have carved up former ranches and forested slopes, Privatizing great quantities of open space for very few people and restricting access to the wilderness areas for the rest of us - me in this case. Similar decisions made daily by each of us are the actions that create the market for the Wal-Mart we love to hate, the sprawl we revile, and the traffic congestion that diminishes our quality of life. We make these decisions with our blindfolds firmly in place regarding the consequences because we have other priorities at the time of making of each decision.

Wal-Mart’s prices are the lowest in town, and that new house 30 miles from work is less expensive. Walking isn’t an option, but buses are slow and inconvenient and carpooling is way too much trouble. SUVs are comfortable, safer and obviously roomier than small cars. If we care more about these things than the resources these behemoths consume, and can afford the equally large price tag, then the deal is done.

As with health care and retirement funding, the wealthy can afford to take care of themselves. They can buy their own piece of wilderness and big cars to commute to and from the city, but none of us can escape the growing consequences of our combined actions. We can all educate ourselves to the consequences of our everyday decisions, but will we? The truth is that some of us will begin to walk the walk, and others will continue in their old ways. A recently defined demographic group of Americans, called the “Cultural Creatives”, are characterized as; caring about social, spiritual and ecological values, they are; optimistic, uncomfortable with current politics, and try to live within their means. These consumers, who make up approximately 25% of Americans, are willing to pay more for energy efficient homes, and choose locations in densely developed areas of central cities, or close to where they work.† They support mass transportation and will walk to shopping, restaurants or other destinations as often as possible.

These are the people that believe smaller is better. They have read The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka and are loyal followers of her philosophy. They are the market for housing alternatives such as Accessory Dwelling Units, Cohousing Communities, and so called intentional communities. They are willing to make the shift to multi-family homes and their ridership supports new public transportation. All of this makes for a more compact city, a city that doesn’t impose itself so rapidly on the natural environment. Meanwhile, most of us will continue to buy at Wal-Mart and drive as many miles as it takes to travel to and from our big homes in the largest car we can afford. However, we may buy compact fluorescent bulbs for our light fixtures, they’re cheapest at Wal-Mart you know. Even if we are not Cultural Creatives, we can do our part. Being aware that square footage isn’t the true measure of a house’s value is the first thing, and Paying attention to how and where we drive is another. Finding the best house that is close to our job or to public transportation can transform life with more time at home and less time driving, not to mention the money saved. Smaller is not only greener, it can be better.

Smaller is Greener

2009-05-15T16:13:00.000-06:00

The house
Excessive resource consumption in oversized homes is obvious but, until the current recession, our median home size increased every year. What size is “oversized” is open for debate and rightly varies with family needs. A NAHB research report two years ago showed that a 2500 square foot home takes three times the materials of a 1250 square foot home to build, even though the size is only double the area of the smaller one.

One of the most potent drivers of over building is the real-estate value equation that values the lowest cost per square foot above all else. True values, such as: the quality of materials used, superior design, or outstanding craftsmanship are not considered in appraisals. RS Means Company, the most respected resource for building cost data in the United States, shows that, while a 1000 square foot home may cost as much as $215 per square foot to build, a 4.000 square foot home costs as little as $115, a full $100 per square foot less. (1/4 the size but only 1/2 the cost) This is understood most clearly when you choose one cost item, such as a $7,500 water tap fee. These fees are often the same no matter the size of a home. That tap fee contributes less than $2 per square foot to a 4000 ft2 home but adds $7.50 per square foot to the 1000 ft2 home and no real quality. This kind of spread occurs with many things on a builder’s cost breakdown, such as the heating system, the kitchen, or the cost of the electric service. Although expensive on a square foot basis, the small home still costs significantly less, in this example $215,000, while the 4,000 square foot home has a price tag of $460,000 for construction. And yet, we cling to the convention of value by the square foot and teach buyers that the true value in their homes is how cheaply it costs per square foot.

Cities Helping Familes

2009-05-12T14:55:00.001-06:00

Granny Flats, Carriage Houses, Pool Houses, Party Pavilions, Caregiver cottages, Casitas, are all names for an affordable housing choice some communities are making possible for their citizens. Accessory Dwelling Units, or (ADUs) is the term used to encompass these various local and regional names. ADUs are small independent homes placed in the backyard of a larger home. They provide room for an expanding family, an aging parent or parents, a young married couple needing help in their first years together, or an ADU can just be a fun complement to an existing home as a guest suite or office. Some cities also allow ADUs to be rented providing additional monthly income for a family.

The personal stories are numerous and varied, but they have a common theme. Families are moving back together. Sometimes the reasons are financial, other times it’s to be together, or to be close by in order to provide care for one another. According to the latest U.S. Census data, the number of households with three or more generations living under one roof grew 38% from 1990 to 2000, vs. 8% for families with just two generations and 16% for singles. It is also reported that the three-generation households have increased in number by 62% since the year 2000. Some family members are moving into mom and dad’s larger home, while other families are having the kids move to the basement making room for parents and grandparents on the first or second floors. Others are selling their house and their parent's home and using the extra money to purchase a larger single dwelling for everyone or building their own family compound.

Our Research of the ADU regulations adopted by some 30 cities revealed several similarities:
1- All city or county regulations limit the size of Accessory Homes in some fashion. A typical minimum is 400 square feet and a common maximum is 800 square feet. Sometimes maximum size is expressed as a percentage of the primary home’s size.
2- The number of bedrooms is often limited as well as the number of residents, usually one bedroom and two or three people max.
3- Parking regulations usually require 1 additional parking space in addition to that required for the primary home.
4- Lot size minimums are often established for the inclusion of an ADU.
5- Some simple statement such as “compatible with the primary home” usually regulates design, though some cities require formal reviews.
6- Renting is most often permitted, but some cities do not allow the rental of an ADU.
7- A few communities regulate the concentration of ADUs in a particular neighborhood, but most do not.
8- From there on, one or more municipalities probably include anything you can imagine: full public hearings, revocable permits, height limitations, use restrictions, construction methods, etc.

We took the most common restrictions as guides and designed a line of small homes that can either be constructed in a modular plant, panelized or stick-built depending on the physical limitations of a homeowner’s property. We market the homes on our website and through our national appearances, and partner with a local builder to construct the homes. That way the ADU cost will be comparable to any new construction in the area, from a low of $70 per square foot in the South to over $200 per square foot in California. We are developing a network of builder-partners in the locations that are currently friendly to the idea of ADUs. Each of our Sidekick qualified builders is a recognized expert in Green technology, Universal Design for accessibility, and small infill construction.

If our extensive offering of standard home designs doesn’t quite fit a family’s needs we will soon offer a “Design Your Cottage” page on our website that will let homebuyers design their own ADU and have that design in their hands in less than 5 minutes.

Mike Kephart
Founder of Kephart Living and Sidekick Homes

A house is set

2008-12-11T16:44:00.001-07:00

All of us at Sidekick Homes are pleased to announce that we had a successful house placement at our Quitman site on November 6th. Starting at 10:30 AM a large crane lifted the first of two modules comprising the first floor of the home and effortlessly flew it through the air from the truck it arrived on and deftly placed it on the previously prepared foundation. Each of the three remaining modules followed the first above the spectators and easily found their place in the puzzle. In less than four hours the entire home was assembled and the crane headed home.

The modular process was a definite fit for this site. A narrow parcel on a developed street leant itself to the quick set up and short timeframe that workers spent on the site. Having the final home in place in one day meant the smallest amount of disturbance possible for the neighbors and the owners’ family in the existing small home on the property.

We had a fine turnout to see the house placed though the day was cold. The sun helped warmed about 75 people that came to see the action. We particularly enjoyed chatting with the neighbors and hearing their reactions. People seemed to take the street closure with good humor.

Sidekick was created with the intention to build small homes behind bigger homes to house our aging parents or adult children. Though in this case the process was reversed since the small home was in place and we added the main house. Even then the new home is small as well at 1300 Square feet plus the basement. We plan to follow soon with a small home in a backyard.

Owners: Katie Goff and Hal Scott

Architect: Kirk Stathes

Developer: Sidekick Homes and Kephart Living, Mike Kephart, Renee Babkiewich, and Janet Kephart

Builder: Milestone Construction and Eco-Infill, John Cianci

Sidekick Homes’ First Installation is Scheduled!

2008-10-06T16:15:00.001-06:00

We are thrilled to be able to announce our first installation. The Marion model is scheduled to be placed on site on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at approximately 9:00. Five modular pieces will be lifted into place and fitted together in a few hours.

Our first home is a departure from our initial concept. The Marion will be the dominant structure on the property connected to an existing unit. Here’s how Mike Kephart describes it. “I had decided that model was too big and we were going to discontinue it, and suddenly someone wanted it. Essentially the ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) is already there. There was a little alley house, and we’ve connected the Marion to it. I am learning to every day by getting inquiries from people about what they want and don’t want. We’re going to change and evolve as we go along in the process of the business, and we’re looking forward to it.”

The young couple currently living in the existing smaller house will move into the new Sidekick Home on the front of the property and their parents will either rent or sell the little house. Eventually the entire family may move into the two houses to bring everyone together in one location.

Anyone in the Denver area on that day is invited to stop by for coffee. We will be at 4200 Quitman Street from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on October 21st. We’d love to meet you!

Where does the money come from?

2008-08-20T16:01:00.002-06:00

When considering adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your property, or any home addition, one question which should be addressed early is where does the money come from? There are several potential answers to this question.

Construction Loans - First, consider your primary banking relationship, the place where you keep your checking and savings accounts. You have a trust level built in with this institution and they know you as well. Ask your bank if they do construction loans or home equity lines of credit. This is a great place to start exploring your loan options. Ask your bank for their list of requirements for starting the loan process. Keep in mind that many lenders require a set of plans for a construction loan which will often mean an upfront investment from you to your builder or architect to create these plans.
Retirement Plan Loans - Another attractive option is any investment funds you have contributed to over the years, a 401(k) plan or IRA. Often you can make a loan from these funds to yourself. The benefits include a ready source of funds, a reasonable interest rate, and the fact that you may be paying yourself over time in interest.
Refinancing - If you have substantial equity in your home, you can also consider refinancing your first mortgage. In today’s credit climate, refinancing may be an easy way to access the equity that is in your home at a fixed interest rate. There is a possibility that Fannie Mae could raise the amount of conforming loans, which come at a lower interest rate, from the $417,000 loan limit to as much as $625,000 in November of 2008. This may also open a door for accessing your equity.
Your Relative’s Home - If you are building your Sidekick for an aging relative, their current house may be a source of funding for your project, whether through its sale or tapping into its equity.

When you are looking at possible financing for your secondary home, it is important to consider your options as a first step toward completion of your project.

Quality of life

2008-07-30T10:23:00.000-06:00

[ encyclopedia definition:
“Quality of life is the degree of well-being felt by an individual or group of people. Unlike standard of living, quality of life is not a tangible concept, and therefore cannot be measured directly.”]

We make many decisions to improve or maintain our quality of life. We exercise, eat right and go to the doctor to stay healthy. We do crossword puzzles, have spirited conversations, and expose ourselves to beauty in nature and art to stay sharp. We strengthen our connections to family and friends, give back to our communities, and do the things we love to stay engaged.

Another decision many older adults make to maintain their quality of life, sometimes with fierce determinations, is to stay in the family home. Having our own personal space gives us freedom and control over the basics of day-to-day life - when we eat, when we sleep, what we do. One of the hardest conversations a caregiver may every have to have with an older adult might revolve around needing more help than living in that home can afford.

With some creativity, however, changes in living arrangements can add to quality of life. Staying on the property in another more suitable residence in the rear could suffice for some. For others, having family members move in with them after renovating the home to be more age-friendly could be an answer. A move to an adult child‘s home if they have their own living quarters might work for some. This again could be a small cottage in the garden. As long as freedom, independence and control over one‘s life are respected, a move from a beloved home can be seen as a change for the good!

Why Sidekick Believes in Universal Design

2008-07-07T08:07:00.001-06:00

At Sidekick Homes all of our models are designed following the principals of Universal Design. That means:

designing homes that are easier to live in and more comfortable to use for all people regardless of physical stature, strength, age, or physical mobility;
gently sloping walks or ramps, free of steps, lead up to the entry door;
there are no steps within a home, except for stairs to a second floor;
elevators are provided in all two-story homes;
doors and hallways are wide, and there is room to move freely throughout the home;
lever door handles, on all doors, are easier to use than knobs;
bathrooms are large to allow the full use by those who require a wheelchair or other mobility aid;
at least two windows in each home open with an easy to use casement crank or are power operated;
light switches and electrical outlets are in easier to reach location;
kitchens have: easy to access lower storage cabinets, few or no high wall cabinets, and pantries where space allows.

Why do we believe this is important? Because no matter who lives in our homes, we want them to feel comfortable and competent in their home. We want them to be able to use the kitchens and bathrooms with ease, to be able to move easily from room to room, and for light switches and outlets never to be out of reach. We want our homes to be places where people feel they are in control of their surrounds and not the other way around.

Beautifully Green

2008-05-08T15:22:00.001-06:00

Toyota’s “Prius” and Honda’s “Insight” hybrid vehicles have distinct looks—you can’t help but notice when they drive by. Why do some automakers ignore the special qualities their hybrids offer and camouflage them within an old familiar skin? Is this what buyers want—new technology presented in the same old wrapper? Look at Apple’s “I-Pod”. Or Whirlpool’s new energy star “Duet” washers and dryers in cool metallic grey, mounted on a pedestal for ease of access. These new technologically advanced gadgets have a distinct look that is different from their older counterparts. Can homes express their energy efficiency, comfort and durability in beautiful packages too or are they destined to look like every other house in the neighborhood?

While green design is heavily related to technological advancements, there are natural modifications that can be made. NAHB has included many of these in their newly released Green Building Guidelines. Having windows face south, for example, makes a big difference in keeping a house warm during the winter. The low winter sun angle is available, but since many windows are facing the wrong side they are unable to reap its benefits. Planning the orientation of homes on lots could be done in a more efficient manner; many neighborhood plans and home designs fail to consider the characteristics of the environment in their region. Instead, “traditional” styles continue to dominate in today’s new home market in spite of their lack of adaptability to solar orientations, window locations, shading, prevailing winds, views, yearly rainfall and landscaping.

With the invention of Freon refrigeration, home air conditioning opened up the housing market in places that people once avoided, like Arizona. Up until now, these air conditioning systems were heavy energy users, but in the near future photovoltaic collectors built into homes will be cheap enough to use the sun to generate electricity to run them. All of this is done in defiance of Mother Nature telling us that it is way too hot to live in Phoenix in the summer. Because of technological advancements, however, we can live just about anywhere we want. In fact, Phoenix continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in the country.

Let’s put an end to the square box two story houses with windows scattered indiscriminately around the four compass points ignoring the path of the sun and providing no shade for windows in the summer. Longer rectangle-shaped houses with most windows arranged along the long south elevation will do a better job of collecting the sun’s heat in winter. Shading the windows in the summer will keep the heat out better than high performance glass alone. We need new land planning lot patterns that will facilitate the ability of builders to orient their new homes to the sun. With a little planning and creativity, green homes can be designed to be beautiful, efficient and smart.

Small Town “Active Living” Concept

2008-05-01T16:07:00.000-06:00

Active Adults is a term commonly used to describe people over 55 who have lots of living left to have numerous experiences and accomplishments. They are healthy, productive and energetic, and their children have embarked on their own lives. The couple is now alone in a house bigger than needed and demanding time and maintenance than they want to spend.

During this moment of reflection and questioning, the idea of retirement is considered. Where to retire is paramount in people’s minds and the choices are unlimited. Historically, as many as 50% of people move to a new home sometime in retirement. The desire to stay near the familiar is powerful, but is eventually outweighed by the promise of adventure, new relationships, the fun of retirement and an easier, relaxed lifestyle.

Active Adult Communities are specifically designed to offer the fun, adventure and the new relationships with like-minded people that young retirees want. Sun City in Arizona, created in the 1960’s, continues to attract thousands of active adults in communities around the country. An active adult community typically has at least one 18-hole golf course, tennis, bocce ball courts, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, ballrooms, fitness center, wellness programs, walking and bike trails, and a variety of special interest clubs and meeting spaces. Many of the amenities are assembled in a grand community center that serves as a focus of the community.

Small towns can offer all of this in a more authentic package. The people are friendly and they include children and young adults, as well as others our own age. Most of us at this age enjoy the spirit of young people and the inspiration they give us to enjoy each day as the start of a new life.