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<p data-block-key="rbluk">It’s an emotional time for everyone when mum and dad decide they’re selling the long-term family home and moving on.</p><p data-block-key="1kjh">But there’s also joy in helping your parents choose their next home; much smaller but where the grandkids can still come over and stay, and mum can still cook that tuna potato bake everybody loves. Christmas might be a bit more cramped, but a new home is an opportunity to make new memories.</p><p data-block-key="40erg">We spoke to <a href="https://zango.com.au/agencies/lj-hooker-kippax/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LJ Hooker Kippax’s</a> <a href="/agents/jeremy-julian/">Jeremy Julian</a> about what to help your parents look for in a property when downsizing.</p><h3 data-block-key="51r4s">Opt for a single-storey home.</h3><img alt="66-house-circuit-banks-act-2906-100474-image-0-20240503103142668154-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/66-house-circuit-banks-act-2906-100474-image-0.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="cpru1">“The biggest concern for people as they grow older is accessibility and mobility,” Jeremy says.</p><p data-block-key="46api">“Look for single-storey properties or those that have the essentials like a kitchen, bathroom and even a bedroom on the ground floor.</p><p data-block-key="cqvp1">“Features like ramps, wide doorways, and grab bars in bathrooms and hallways can reduce the risk of accidents.”</p><h3 data-block-key="8ebkc">Safety features to look for.</h3><img alt="1-32-smeaton-circuit-banks-act-2906-99523-image-0-20240505221636566614-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-32-smeaton-circuit-banks-act-2906-99523-imag.width-800_pzp7ZJx.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="ckt11">According to Jeremy, homes with non-slip flooring, well-lit pathways, easily reachable light switches should go to the top of the list.</p><p data-block-key="15nq9">“Emergency alert systems or smart home technology that can provide assistance in case of emergency can be installed as well.”</p><p data-block-key="ansih">But safety also includes emotional wellbeing, so choose a home that fosters a sense of belonging, security, and comfort.</p><p data-block-key="9mhj0">“Consider factors such as proximity to family and friends,” Jeremy says.</p><h3 data-block-key="5mrt4">Close to a town centre.</h3><img alt="shutterstock_2103694835" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_2103694835.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="5j627">In older age, you need easy access to a GP, a chemist and a supermarket.</p><p data-block-key="93upp">“Access to recreational activities, parks, and social opportunities can also contribute to a fulfilling lifestyle,” Jeremy says.</p><p data-block-key="81aoq">“If there’s a park nearby or another recreation facility that’s awesome.”</p><h3 data-block-key="58gks">Low maintenance indoors and out.</h3><img alt="5-8-patton-place-banks-act-2906-97879-image-0-20240319034720684376-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/5-8-patton-place-banks-act-2906-97879-image-0-.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="3bg00">Unless they’re obsessed with gardening and want to do a couple of hours of landscaping every day, you should look for a home with a very low maintenance yard or courtyard.</p><p data-block-key="ev38o">“Features like vinyl siding, composite decking, and drought-resistant plants can reduce the need for regular maintenance but they also look great,” Jeremy says.</p><h3 data-block-key="eo4n1">Finally: is the home future-proof?</h3><img alt="5-8-patton-place-banks-act-2906-97879-image-0-20240319034722804133-thumbnail-1920x1920-70" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/5-8-patton-place-banks-act-2906-97879-image-0-.width-800_q4f0mbf.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="4438b">Think about how the home will meet the needs of your parents over time, Jeremy says.</p><p data-block-key="b4cj">“Are any modifications or renovations necessary to accommodate changing mobility or health conditions?</p><p data-block-key="nr68">“Your real estate agent is the first person who should put their hand up to help with this, as they’ll know from experience.”</p><p data-block-key="dipv7">Flexible floor plans, adjustable countertops, and easily modifiable spaces all get massive ticks from Jeremy.</p>

Mum and dad moving out of the family home? What to look for in a downsizer

<p data-block-key="vbwr2">Welcome to four listings that have completely blown us away this week - former government houses that have been completely transformed.</p><h3 data-block-key="civde"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">9 Foley Place, Holt</a></h3><img alt="9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-20220518054706546626-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-2022.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="1ucu9">It’s got the typical ‘Pizza Hut’ roof of government housing in the 1970s but apart from that, there is very little left to remind you of this home’s former life.</p><img alt="9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-20220518054707217148-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-2022.width-800_PcmispI.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="9bg5f">Extended from three bedrooms into four and with the addition of a laundry, expanded bathroom and an ensuite, this home is proof that small homes in stunning locations can be the best blank canvases.</p><img alt="9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-20220518054708674240-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187-image-0-2022.width-800_J87ltVE.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="b2gr">We’re especially in love with the galley-style kitchen, the bathroom sinks and the mirrored robes.</p><p data-block-key="ecd6c">9 Foley Place will be auctioned digitally on Wednesday 8 June 2022 at 6pm.</p><p data-block-key="4f16o"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/9-foley-place-holt-act-2615-58187/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="1m12t"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">7 Boronia Crescent, Queanbeyan</a></h3><img alt="7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-image-0-20220515234814998664-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-imag.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="fnrde">There’s a massive trend in the Queanbeyan area of Karabar of first home buyers buying ex-government houses and renovating them into modern, beautiful homes.</p><img alt="7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-image-0-20220515234813732232-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-imag.width-800_rseoi2k.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="at2e9">This three-bedroom gem, close to Karabar High School, comes (literally) with a white picket fence and a low maintenance garden featuring a beautiful big backyard, common for the blocks of yesteryear.</p><img alt="7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-image-0-20220515234814398827-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807-imag.width-800_rJAeQra.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="63ecv">We love the sage-coloured kitchen, the outdoor area out the back just <i>waiting</i> for a footy grand final and the chandelier in the hallway.</p><p data-block-key="e38hb">7 Boronia Crescent, Queanbeyan, will be auctioned at 6pm on the 1st June.</p><p data-block-key="8nmi0"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/7-boronia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57807/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing</a>.</p><h3 data-block-key="5te9q"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029/?fbclid=IwAR3msvjK9ybWvAx8zE2ygs0HmD_0Y4BuB7sgvwRXRafE-qL4hD6Nvv1M-_U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4 Wilari Place, Giralang</a></h3><img alt="4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0-20220510230141724005-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="3su0b">This could be the ex-govvie makeover to end all ex-govvie makeovers. From the hidden laundry and the charming fire pit out back to details like the kitchen splashback and <i>that bathtub</i>, there are way too many things to add to the list of ‘What we love’.</p><img alt="4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0-20220510230136488267-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0.width-800_gYDfpqE.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="7ju1p">According to sales agent Sally Strang, the house was built in the 1970s in a boom of government housing in the suburb.</p><img alt="4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0-20220510230138502716-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029-image-0.width-800_BJznptO.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="4rcs1">An extension to the side of the home has added a bedroom, complete with its own mini deck. It&#x27;s the stuff the original owners could only have dreamed about.</p><p data-block-key="eep16"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/4-wilari-place-giralang-act-2617-57029/?fbclid=IwAR3msvjK9ybWvAx8zE2ygs0HmD_0Y4BuB7sgvwRXRafE-qL4hD6Nvv1M-_U" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">4 Wilari Place, Giralang</a>, was sold by home.by holly last weekend for $1.04 million.</p><h3 data-block-key="eshk5"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">10 Cassia Crescent, Queanbeyan</a></h3><img alt="10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-image-0-20220517231635408995-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-imag.width-800.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="9nul8">Okay, so this one - also located in Queanbeyan’s Karabar region - is more of a blend of the old <i>and</i> the new. The bathroom wall tiles are very retro but in a colour and style that’s certainly made its way back in.</p><img alt="10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-image-0-20220517231635785096-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-imag.width-800_cWoJKEV.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="8j18u">The lounge room is sizeable and still features the original wooden door and window frames - definitely features of the 1970s that add character and are also back en vogue.</p><img alt="10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-image-0-20220517231636621755-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324-imag.width-800_Sb4EoWk.jpg" width="800"><p data-block-key="749s5">We love the original Hills Hoist in the backyard (!) and the Florida-style feature pillars on the front verandah.</p><p data-block-key="bs3s6">10 Cassia Crescent, Queanbeyan, is for sale between $639,000 and $679,000.</p><p data-block-key="c6beb"><a href="https://zango.com.au/sale/10-cassia-crescent-karabar-nsw-2620-57324/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">View the full listing</a>.</p>

2 news articles with tag jeremy-julian

Mum and dad moving out of the family home? What to look for in a downsizer

The most stunning ex-govvie transformations on the market right now