Add-on or move?

4 years ago

Mother-in-law is going to live with us. Has had a stroke, is able now to get around fine and climb stairs, but we’ve gotta plan ahead. Current house isn’t going to work as it currently exists. Need to decide whether to move or add onto current house. Need to meet with a designer who specializes in this.

Are there web sites / professional search places where I can find a specialist?

I would imagine a well- done Mother-in-law suite would eventually be good for resale (this is a nice house, but not our forever). But the permitting and re-appraisal will raise property taxes.

And if we determine we need to move, it might be really hard to find a house with 2 bedrooms downstairs or a morher-in-law suite.

She doesn’t need her own kitchen. But I remember how horrible it was with my Mom needing a wheelchair and the doorways were too narrow.

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CA Kate z9

4 years ago

last modified: 4 years ago

From my experience:

if your can find an existing home with all that you need then think hard about selling and moving;

but, finding an existing home with disabled facilities, doorways and bathroom will be very hard;

consider the future with your MIL - she won't get any younger or less disabled.

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Comments (7)

dan1888
4 years ago
Sounds like you need more than an add on.
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Joseph Corlett, LLC
4 years ago
I depends upon the desireability of where you live now.
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kempek01
4 years ago
It may be easier to find a different home than a contractor who can make your home what it needs to be.

If you focus on your needs and MILs needs, it will be easier to find a new home for all of you. if you try to make this a move to your forever home, it will be much more difficult.
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Toronto Veterinarian
4 years ago
Since your MIL has had a stroke (i.e. past), you need a place now -- it will be easier and faster to find a new home with what you need for your new household than to find a contractor and go through the expansion/renovation project. That could take years (depending on your location).
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Painted Peggies (zone 6a)
4 years ago
We did this two years ago. It made more sense to move.

We had a septic and the way our property ran, it would have been too costly to tap into the utilities property AND give her an added apartment.

We purchased a home with an existing apartment attached in the same town.
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res2architect
4 years ago
How long have you owned your home? How much has it appreciated in value?

The increase in real estate tax may be similar whether you add a ground floor bedroom or buy a larger house with one.

Where do you live? How large is the lot? Is the school district and neighborhood important to you?

Google architect and your area code. Look for older sole-practitioners.

If building permits are online look for additions by architects.
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