Tag Archives: home

News

Bye bye Boomer – why Brits are refusing to play the generation game

  • Eye-opening stats shatter myths around age stereotypes
  • Calls for Brits to ditch “potentially harmful” generational labels
  • Rising demand for closer, multi-generational living as Brits think twice about care homes

Facebooking grannies, knitting millennials and teetotal teens – the latest data shows that generational labels, such as Baby Boomer, Millennial and Generation X, and their associated stereotypes, could soon become a thing of the past.

Research conducted by leading granny annexe developer iHus has revealed the new hobbies and habits of generational Brits that are challenging traditional perceptions.

The research shows that pensioners are slowly becoming the dominant demographic on platforms like Facebook, which was initially launched for students, while hobbies like bingo and knitting are being discovered by youngsters:

  • Facebook users in the UK aged 65 and over more than doubled between 2019 and 20201, while the number of 12–34-year-olds on the platform has fallen dramatically
  • Bingo is proving more popular with Millennials and Generation Z than ever before, with 40 locations across the UK hosting sell-out events geared towards young people in 2021
  • 30% of 16-to-24-year-olds class themselves as “non-drinkers” and are choosing to abstain from alcohol4
  • TV programmes like The Great British Sewing Bee have led to a spike in young knitters, with one online shop reporting a 235 per-cent increase in sales during the pandemic5
  • Nearly two-thirds (65 per-cent) of Brits aged 65 or over now own and regularly use a smartphone, compared to just 3 per-cent ten years ago6

The eye-opening trends are supported by a growing demand from Brits for multi-generational living, with an increasing number of families choosing to provide care for ageing parents either in their own home or in an adjacent granny annexe.

Research conducted by iHus7 shows more than one in five (22 per-cent) Brits now prefer to provide care themselves to an elderly relative, while just 16% say they’ll place them in a care home.

The results are backed up by a recent report from Aviva8, which shows that one in three UK households are now multi-generational, equating to 9 million homes in total.

 

iHus founder Trevor Smeaton, who has helped hundreds of British families discover the delights of multi-generational living, is calling on Brits to think twice about generalising Brits through the use of generational labels.

He said: “While labels like baby boomer and millennial are often used in a light-hearted way, stereotypes associated with age can be potentially harmful and create lines of division in society that ought not to exist in 2022.

“Our research and own data shows that Brits are turning their back on silly stereotypes and discovering new hobbies and ways of living not typically associated with people of their age. It also shows that they want to be closer to their parents in later life.

“We’ve seen first-hand the joy created by bringing generations together, while promoting independent living, and a spirit of individuality that is no longer bound by old-fashioned perceptions.”

Healthcare News, News

Waiting in GP queues could be a thing of the past with 61% of people preferring to manage health at home

But almost half of UK consumers (43%) don’t know their vital signs, and 1 in 3 don’t know their ideal body temperature

Kinetik Wellbeing launches health campaign to help educate the nation

Redhill, UK; 29th March 2022: A survey of 2,000 consumers by Kinetik Wellbeing has revealed that the majority of people prefer to measure their health at home (61%) rather than a healthcare setting.

However, when asked about ideal blood sugar and blood oxygen levels, 43% don’t know the answers. More concerningly, a third of us (35%) don’t know the ideal body temperature

1 in 4 people reported that they had been recommended the use of home medical devices by their GP, a growing phenomenon since the pandemic.

When it comes to how the perceptions of home healthcare have changed in recent years, 76% believe home health monitoring to be more important since the pandemic. 68% are more likely to purchase a home healthcare device now compared to a few years ago.

Dr. Katie Stephens, Resident GP at Kinetik Wellbeing, added: “Having done NHS GP work both pre- and post-pandemic, I can vouch for the reasons in-person appointments now take up much more time and need to be reserved for patients with conditions that can’t be managed remotely. The good news is that getting people interested in taking ownership of their health monitoring at home can actually be a good thing and doesn’t necessarily need medical expertise. By empowering people to actively monitor things like oxygen levels (especially during a Covid-19 infection) or blood pressure, we can help detect problems even before symptoms occur, leading to better outcomes for the individual and potentially reducing the strain on the NHS at the same time.”

82% also admit to benefiting from access to more information about their readings. The top ways users understand their results currently include user manuals (65%), Google (44%), YouTube and other videos (33%), and social media (6%). To tackle misinformation and ensure that everyone knows their numbers, Kinetik Wellbeing is building a content and resource hub to empower users to understand their levels and what the results mean.

James Grover, Director at Kinetik Wellbeing, commented: “It’s great to see people taking a real interest in their own health rather than relying on the public health services. However, if the numbers aren’t meaningful, then how can they do something about their findings? That’s why we have come together with leading medical practitioners to provide education and content to help people understand their readings. This will help to close the UK’s knowledge gap and empower people to self-monitor their health.”

When asked why they were more likely to purchase a home healthcare device now, the top answers were the pandemic (59%) and existing health issues (22%). “The pandemic has undoubtedly made more people aware of the importance of monitoring their health at home, but knowing your numbers is important for everyone, whether they have an existing medical condition or feel fit and healthy” Grover concluded.

To learn more about Kinetik Wellbeing, click here: https://www.kinetikwellbeing.com/.

News

The Most Popular Songs For Working From Home, Revealed

From buying comfortable office chairs to using planners and creating playlists, we’ve tried it all this year to keep our minds focused and productivity high while working from our homes.

 

Music is known to boost morale and sometimes even increase concentration, so it comes as no surprise that people have created over 1,000 work from home playlists covering 187,450 songs throughout 2020. Noticing this trend, smart home specialist, Somfy, has decided to deep dive into the data and find out which are the most popular songs people have been listening to during their working hours.

 

Although workers are now slowly returning back to the office, for many this will be combined with a long-term work from home agreement, so it may not be time to ditch the home playlists just yet.

 

THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR SONGS FOR WORKING FROM HOME 

 

  1. Shape of You, Ed Sheeran
  2. Dance Monkey, Tones And I
  3. Blinding Lights, The Weekend
  4. Closer, The Chainsmokers
  5. Sunflower – Spider Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Post Malone and Swae Lee
  6. Someone You Loved, Lewis Capaldi 
  7. Señorita, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
  8. Bad Guy, Billie Eilish
  9. Say You Won’t Let Go, James Arthur
  10. Perfect, Ed Sheeran

 

Both the top 10 and top 50 songs are heavily dominated by male artists, with the likes of Lewis Capaldi, Shawn Mendes and Post Malone making an appearance. Ed Sheeran is also the only artist with two singles in the top 10 – the chart-topper “Shape of You” being the most popular song in the data collection and “Perfect” being no. 10, giving the list a little symmetry.

Smash hits from great female artists such as Bad Guy by Billie Eilish, Senorita and Havana by Camilla Cabello were also popular choices overall, with both appearing in the top 10.

Whilst previous studies have shown that mellow ballads, with roughly 60 beats per minute, are the perfect music to increase concertation when working1., perhaps surprisingly most of the top songs revealed here are more energetic pop songs, proving that over a turbulent year, most of us have needed fast paced music to keep them motivated.

Whilst the data reveals that most people opt for upbeat pop songs crossed with a few romantic anthems, the research also found a few humorous choices people have included in their Work From Home playlists. The perfectly ironic “Work From Home” hit by Fifth Harmony was found in a staggering 143 playlists, however it didn’t make it into the Top 10, only the Top 50. Other funny and ironic songs frequently included in working playlists were “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton, “Stressed Out” by TwentyOne Pilots and “Stuck with U” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber.

 

HUMOROUS AND IRONIC CHOICES

 

  • Work from Home, Fifth Harmony 
  • 9 to 5, Dolly Parton
  • Stressed Out, TwentyOne Pilots
  • 10,000 hours, Dan +Shay and Justin Bieber
  • Stuck with U, Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
  • No Scrubs, TLC 
  • FourFive Seconds, Rihanna with Kanye West and Paul McCartney

 

Whether you remain working from home or are looking to transition back to the office, Somfy has combined the top 50 most popular songs into the ultimate WFH playlist, to help keep you motivated. You can listen to it here:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uNMLCC4QUttVgut8BQK3o

News, Property

Must-have home improvements for COVID working and living

Homeowners looking to adapt spaces for the current and potential future lockdowns and optimal home working during the COVID-19 pandemic can look to suggestions from property experts.

With government guidelines tightening restrictions, it is important that homeowners and potential buyers consider the viability of future lockdowns and home working and adapt in the best ways they possibly can to be safe and comfortable at home.

From converting unused spaces, to developing outdoor areas, the property experts at North Sands Developments, share top considerations for adapting homes for COVID working and living.

James Hartley, director at North Sands Developments, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has tested everyone, and with government restrictions tightening, there are many important learnings that we can take away from this time, to safeguard our futures in terms of creating a more comfortable, secure and optimised living and working environment.

“From zoom-proof rooms, to pet proofing, good internet connection and ensuring access to open plan and outdoor spaces – whether you are looking to purchase a new home or have an existing home that requires improvements, we have compiled a list of considerations for reference, to help homeowners and potential buyers thinking about living arrangements during the pandemic.”

1. Outdoor space
When spending large amounts of time at home, outdoor space is vital for health and wellbeing, whatever the weather. To make the most of outdoor spaces – home and garden improvements such as extending the size of the garden, improving decking and patios, adding a fire pit for use during the cooler weather, adding a balcony to bring fresh air into the home, and swapping patio doors for new ones such as bi-folds, to connect the home with the garden to accentuate the space is worth the investment.

2. Zoom-proof rooms and spaces
Working from home and juggling family life isn’t always easy and it can be disruptive when important virtual meetings are interrupted with noise. Creating a zoom-proof space in the home is very much an essential when it comes to peaceful working. The ideal zoom space will be as sound proof as possible, with a simple fuss-free backdrop, away from busy areas of the house to avoid any disturbances. If in an open plan home, organise a space in a quieter area of the room, with a divide to hold calls.

3. Convert unused spaces
Converting unused spaces in the home such as a garage, loft or cellar, can provide much needed extra room in the household. The spaces can be used for a new home office, relaxation zone, utility area or a play room, but it is important to ensure that a property possesses comfortable living areas, should another lockdown be enforced. Extra spaces can also significantly boost the value of a property, especially if extra bedrooms and bathrooms are added. Most conversion projects do not require planning permission as it qualifies as a ‘change of use’ to the property, which is another great reason to consider a home improvement of this kind.

4. Add an annexe or garden
Increasing the space in your home with a build project is a great alternative to moving house completely. Adding an annexe or extension to a property, is a larger investment and one that could significantly improve a living environment and add value to a property. Adding a room that is completely separate from the rest of the property, can create the ideal environment for undisturbed home working, or a quiet and tranquil space for relaxation. It will also be a place for extra family or members of a support bubble to stay and visit that isn’t in the main home. If not an annexe, it’s worth converting any loft space to ensure all space in the home is utilised.

5. Divide your open plan spaces
A cost-effective way to create separate zones for different functions is to divide existing open plan areas. Installing partition walls or sectioning off areas with the careful placement of furniture are just two ways to create segregated space, allowing members of a household to live together without getting on top of one another. Freestanding shelves act as great temporary partitions that also provide storage space for any home office essentials.

6. Good internet connection
A commonly overlooked home improvement is a stronger and more efficient internet connection and good WIFI is essential when working remotely for virtual meetings and conferences. This can be as simple as installing extenders to boost internet signal, or may mean changing internet providers altogether for a connection that supports working activity and home living. Before switching provider, it’s sensible to do research online to check which company has the best service in the area.

7. Get a pet and pet proof your home
In terms of overall happiness and wellbeing – pets can certainly provide comfort and company for the long term. Getting a pet is a great life choice for lockdown and beyond, but furry friends need appropriate flooring and space to run around, so it’s important to ensure a home is pet proof by opening up spaces if possible and replacing carpet with floor tiles which can make managing a regular house clean easier.

Home Improvements, News, Property

Six considerations for creating your perfect ‘forever home’

Homeowners or buyers wishing to settle down in a ‘forever home’ can look to these six simple considerations when creating a house to call a home.

A ‘forever home’ is a property that suits requirements in the short and long term – so it needs to be a flexible space to fall in love with. Whether future plans are growing a family, downsizing and retiring, or making a return on investment, it’s important to consider how a living space can be shaped to meet specific needs and goals.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown has prompted many to consider whether it’s time to move to a new house or start improvements on current properties. When it comes to making your home work for you, the property experts at Stormclad have shared their thoughts on achieving your ideal ‘forever home’.

John Evans, managing director of Stormclad, said: “With everyone spending more time in their own homes, now is the ideal time to either carry out exciting upgrades on existing properties, or search for your next home, to improve your quality of living.

“Here at Stormclad, we have more than 20 years’ experience in helping our customers transform their houses into dream homes. Whether it’s deciding what can be done to a current property now, or assessing whether a new property has the potential for extensions and improvements in the future, we wanted to share our tips on ways you can add value and quality features to your home, that will last the test of time.”

Here are six things to consider for your ‘forever home’:

1. An extension to create space
Adding an extension is undoubtedly one of the biggest changes you can make to your home – whether you’d like to extend the kitchen, add a utility or study room, or an extra bedroom – there is plenty of scope for you to enhance your home with the additional space an extension provides.

An extension will almost always add value to a property, so it is well-worth the investment once you have done your research and secured planning permission.

If you are looking to buy a new home, consider whether there is potential to extend the house at some point in the future. Local estate agents will be able to offer you advice, and you can also look to other properties in the neighbourhood to see whether they have benefited from an extension, so you know that you have the option, if you decide it’s something you want.

2. Maximising the space available
For the interior of your home, consider where you can create spaces of value for yourself and your family. In these uncertain times, with many people staying at home and working remotely, it is important to create suitable, comfortable spaces for yourself and your household to ensure a good living quality for everyone. Quiet, tranquil spaces for relaxation and reading, a study for working, and a well-maintained garden are just a few suggestions when considering how to ensure your property is a ‘forever home’.

3. Outdoor space
An often under-utilised area of the home is the garden – whether you’d like to transform it into a children’s play area, a space for your pets or an alfresco dining and relaxing spot, there are easy ways you can improve your outside space for the long run.

If you want a dry outdoor space for your summer barbecues or winter fire pit, then consider adding a veranda to your property. Whatever the British weather has to throw at you, adding a veranda to the exterior of your home provides a stylish shelter from the sun and the rain.

4. Invest in upkeep and quality appliances
One of the easiest ways to ensure your house is a ‘forever home’ is to commit to a regular maintenance regime to keep everything running smoothly and looking and feeling fresh.

Adding a new layer of paint, deep cleaning carpets and investing in new blinds or stylish shutters are just some of the ways you can update and refresh your home quickly and easily, so that it remains a place you enjoy being. If you’re moving into a new home, these are simple steps you can take to stamp your own personality on a property straight away.

It is also worth investing in quality fixtures in the home – appliances and electronics such as ovens, fridge freezers, tech, heating controls and dishwashers are worth spending a little extra money on as their quality means they will last much longer than cheaper alternatives.

5. Money-saving double glazing
Windows are one of the areas most prone to heat loss in the home, with single paned windows capable of emitting around 84% of a room’s heat. To safeguard your home for the future, consider investing in double glazing to retain heat in your property and save money.

Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double-glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further.

Older windows can look outdated, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium, will transform the look of your home outside and in and continue to look smart over time.

6. A spacious conservatory
A brand-new conservatory extension is a great way to add a light and airy room to your home. The versatile space is ideal for a whole host of uses, and can function as a dining room, playroom, living area or home office.

This option may suit you and your family more than choosing a traditional extension, as it provides a space with a different feel to the rest of the home and helps to bring the outdoors in with plenty of natural light.

News, Property

SMART Balustrades expands product range as demand for outside space soars following lockdown

Due to an increased demand for outside space from home owners and house builders, handrail and balustrades specialist SMART Balustrades has expanded its services – adding the installation of platform balconies to its portfolio.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic began, Staffordshire-based SMART Balustrades experienced an increase in enquiries for its bespoke installations, particularly from home owners and house builders looking to add outside space and new living areas to existing properties.

A recent report by YouGov found that 14% of home buyers now see a balcony as more important following the pandemic*.

Steel frame platform balconies are subject to planning, but can easily be attached to the walls of properties and are a cost-effective way to add additional space and value to homes.

David Hough, managing director of SMART Balustrades, said: “With housebuilding in the UK at a 30-year high and the impact of Covid-19 on our lifestyle choices, there is now a significantly increased demand for home improvements including expanding or adding outside space.

“As platform balconies are not part of the structure of a property, they do not eat into the internal space of the home, but rather create new living areas – ideal for outdoor living, entertaining and simply additional storage space.

“I think following the year we have had we are all a little more appreciative of our environment and nature, and the need to access fresh air when we can. Because of this people are looking for ways to create their own outside space at home – or even if they have an existing garden – a space they can access directly from a lounge or bedroom.

“These products are popular with both private home owners as well as developers of residential schemes; as they add coveted outside space but also increase sale value.

“Myself and the SMART Balustrades team are pleased to now offer platform balconies as part of our services and are already busy installing them on sites across the country.”

SMART Balustrades provides a range of bespoke glass and stainless-steel balustrades, as well as glass Juliet balconies, which are manufactured at its Burntwood production facility. The firm is part of the Unitech Group and its portfolio includes luxury hotels, universities, retail and leisure facilities, housing developments and private dwellings.

 

Homeowner Advice, News

Working from home again? Four smart home improvements to keep your home insulated

It’s starting to look like we will all be spending a little more time at home again over the next few months and with the colder weather approaching, it could be a costly time for home owners.

With more people working from home once again and curfews being introduced, it’s an opportune time to invest in insulating your home – not just to keep it cosy – but also efficient in terms of heat retention and cost savings.

John Evans of home improvement specialists Stormclad, said: “Over the last six months we have all spent more time at home than usual, and our homes now more than ever play a vital role in keeping us safe and secure as well as being the backdrop to home working, home schooling and everything in between.

“To ensure the home remains a pleasant place to be for all the family, temperature plays an key role and as it begins to get colder outside, it could be the perfect time to make home improvements to increase the homes thermal efficiency.

“There are a number of simple modifications you can make to your home to reduce heat which can be installed in a matter of hours, days or weeks.”

Draught-proofing

There are countless gaps in our homes that we usually never even think about. However, these are letting out the warmth from, and letting the cold inside. Often you can fill all the gaps and holes yourself with some simple DIY.

Internal doors are a good place to start when trying to cover drafts. You can buy removable draft excluders such as the classic sausage dog, or have a draught excluding door seal fitted underneath the door. Ensure you keep these shut as often as possible to retain the heat in each room, and to stop draughts coming through.

Replace windows with modern double glazing

Windows are one of the most prone areas to heatloss in the home. An old single paned window will emit around 84% of a room’s heat into the cold air outside so it is definitely worth the investment.

Installing double glazed windows will retain the heat in your home by trapping a layer of air between two panes of glass which stops the air from circulating, resulting in a decrease of heat loss across the window. With modern double glazed windows, the space between the panes is often filled with denser argon gas which will slow down heat loss even further.

Older windows can look outdated and deteriorate quickly, so replacing them with a durable frame such as aluminium will transform the look of your home outside and in.

External door replacements

Older doors are prone to holes and gaps which allows draughts to enter the home. Doors can often become warped and unsettled in their existing frame, which means its time for an upgrade.

Solid wood doors are a popular choice as timber is a natural insulator, absorbing and retaining heat, as well as composite doors, which are a thick door made of a combination of timber and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) – a robust thermo-plastic door skin.

Top tip: Ensure your door is fitted with a quality letterbox flap or brush, to reduce the amount of heat loss from the letterbox.

Conservatory refurbishments

Do you avoid this room in the winter because it’s too cold? Could this be your new home office? Making changes to your old conservatory can vastly reduce the amount of heat lost and make the space welcoming and usable all year round.

Older conservatories are often made with plastic polycarbonate roofs which have very little thermal insulation. Replacing the roof with high performance glass, a solid roof or a combination of the two, is one of the most effective improvements you can make to increase a conservatory’s thermal efficiency, which not just affects the conservatory but the whole homes thermal efficiency.

News, Property

Seven considerations for ensuring a property is a ‘forever home’

Homebuyers looking for properties with a ‘forever home’ appeal can look to these seven simple considerations for finding and ensuring a happy home for life.

The concept of the ‘forever home’ means finding a space that suits your needs, is flexible and can adapt with you in the future – so it’s important to consider a number of things to ensure what you’re looking for is right and can grow with you.

From location, to interior, scope for improvement and quality of fixtures – the property experts at North Sands Developments have shared their top considerations for finding the ‘forever home’.

James Hartley, director at North Sands Developments, said: “Whether you are new to the property market or have moved multiple times, finding a home can be difficult, especially somewhere you would like to stay for the long run. It’s important to take into account a number of considerations when looking for the ‘forever home’, to ensure it’s a space that can suit and evolve with you.

“In these uncertain times – we can learn a lot about how to safeguard ourselves and our families by future proofing our homes and livelihoods, so these considerations talk about the importance of ensuring our forever homes include spaces to accommodate remote working and ensure comfort, if spending a lot of time in the home.

“At North Sands Developments, we design homes with futures and families in mind, and it’s important to consider the needs and priorities of your family and how finding a home may change your lifestyle and family dynamic for the better. From looking at its location near schools and good commuting routes, to checking the viability of extensions, we’ve put together a list of seven simple considerations to keep in mind whilst you’re searching for the ‘forever home’.

Here are seven considerations when searching for a ‘forever home’:

1. Location
Undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of finding a ‘forever home’ is finding the right location. This is crucial to the needs and priorities of everyone in the household now and in the future. Consider the property’s location in regards to school catchment areas and do some research into how those schools are performing and how well they would suit your children.

Whilst a garden is a wonderful feature, it’s also important to ensure that there are nearby outside locations for you and your family to enjoy outside of the garden – whether that’s parks, woodland, walking or cycling trails or any nearby countryside where you can enjoy fresh air and exercise with family and pets.

It’s also important to ensure that transport links are convenient for getting to your place of work and to the nearest city or town centre and nearby major motorways for commuting, so be sure to do your homework.

2. Budget
Having a ballpark budget figure in mind will allow you to search for homes, but dependant on what you find, it’s always important to keep money aside for sprucing up the interior and for future extensions. It gives you a good guideline as to what you can realistically afford and what you need to compromise on, but don’t forget additional fees on top of the deposit for the cost of solicitors, mortgage booking fees, arrangement fees, valuation and surveyor fees, as well as lender/broker fees if you choose to use them.

3. Interior
From the quality of fixtures and fittings, to the size and placement of rooms – the interior of a home is obviously a very important consideration. Consider the internal layout of a home to ensure it works for your family’s lifestyle and provides plenty of space. Again, ask yourself some questions about your preferences: is the kitchen the heart of your home? Would you like an open plan living space? Do all the bedrooms need to be the same size? Will you need all bedrooms moving forward, or will you need more?

4. Spaces with value
Based on the interior of the home – think about where you can create spaces of value for yourself and your family. In these uncertain times, with many having spent time at home, living and working remotely, it is important to ensure that your property possesses suitable spaces to ensure that your living quality is good should a pandemic arise in the future. Quiet, tranquil spaces for relaxation and reading, a study for remote working, and a good-sized garden are just a few suggestions when considering how to ensure your property is a ‘forever home’.

5. Quality appliances and electronics
Once you’ve decided if a property and its spaces are a good fit for you – to keep your home running smoothly it’s important to choose quality appliances and electronics to improve your quality of living. Do your research online, ask trusted friends and family and choose a good standard of main appliances and electronics – such as ovens, fridge freezers, internet, tech, heating controls and good WIFI, should you need to work remotely. The better the investment, the longer these will last, so it’s worth paying out for quality.

6. Scope for extension
It’s also a good idea to consider if the property has potential to be extended in the future, providing you with further space that will help to raise the value of your home. Increasing the space in your home with an extension can be a great investment for your family, and is another option to consider rather than moving to a larger house and paying stamp duty.

It’s worth looking into the viability of whether a property can legally be extended and dimensions for any potential works before saying yes, so you can have an idea of what you can do with the property in future.

7. Future plans
A property is one of the biggest purchases of a lifetime, so it’s important to think about what the future may bring as this decision will affect the entire family. For example, a growing family might need more space in years to come while a family with older children may wish to downsize after retirement.