71% of Empty Nesters Will Renovate Their Houses

In keeping with a research by Esri, the median age of an empty nester — a guardian whose kids have grown up and moved out of the household residence — is simply shy of 49 years previous. Contemplating the typical life expectancy within the U.S. is approaching 80 years, that leaves a lot of time for folks to take pleasure in their area with out the youngsters round.

And so they are having fun with it. We surveyed over 1,000 mother and father — some had been empty nesters, and a few had simply had a minimum of one among their youngsters depart the home — to search out out what they’re doing with their properties and newfound additional area after kids transfer out. Unsurprisingly, quite a lot of them had been excited to repurpose all that area to make use of throughout their golden years.

Key takeaways:

• 71% of respondents made some type of renovations after a baby left residence.
• The commonest areas they renovated had been kids’s former bedrooms, loos, residing rooms, and kitchens.
• Most mother and father turned their youngsters’ former rooms into visitor rooms or workplaces.
• Greater than half of empty nesters began renovating inside a yr after their youngsters moved away.
• Practically half (47%) stated the modifications they made to their properties are everlasting — and almost half of fogeys (43%) stated they’d solely permit their youngsters to maneuver again in below sure circumstances, like in an emergency or in the event that they paid lease.

Practically 3 out of 4 Empty Nesters Renovated Their Houses After Youngsters Moved Out

A whopping 71% of respondents stated they made some type of renovation to their residence after a baby moved out. The commonest rooms they renovated had been:

• Their youngsters’ former bedrooms and loos: 30%
• The lounge: 29%
• The kitchen: 26%

The sheer variety of mother and father renovating their areas turns into much less stunning when you ask them concerning the put on and tear they endured with youngsters and youngsters residing at residence. When requested concerning the methods their kids wreaked havoc on their properties, greater than 90% of fogeys stated there was some lasting harm.

• 38% of fogeys stated that they had chipped paint on the partitions.
• 31% stated partitions had been ruined with holes from thumbtacks or nails.
• 29% stated furnishings was broken or stained.
• 19% stated flooring had been scuffed.
• 20% stated electronics had been damaged.
• 20% stated home equipment had been dented.
• 17% stated home windows had been damaged.

19% stated “different,” and listed issues like worn and stained carpet, handprints on partitions, water harm from clogged bathrooms and sinks, and burned spots on kitchen counters. One respondent wrote solely, “it’s difficult” (and whoever they’re, we sincerely hope their home is OK).

The room mother and father stated they had been most wanting to renovate was their youngster’s former bed room, and the commonest means they deliberate to renovate it was by turning it right into a visitor room, adopted through the use of it as an workplace or an leisure room. The highest modifications they deliberate to make had been eliminating muddle, adopted by portray, then refreshing the decor to make it extra grownup.

The room mother and father had been least wanting to renovate was the eating room — solely 3% stated they deliberate to make any modifications there.

24% of Empty Nesters Begin Renovating As Quickly As Their Youngsters Transfer Out

Most empty nesters stated they began renovating shortly after their youngsters moved out. In reality, greater than half (51%) began inside a yr, and 24% began instantly.

For many who waited to renovate, the commonest cause was so they might save up cash. Others stated they waited for his or her youngsters to graduate from faculty. Practically one in 5 (16%) stated they waited to renovate as a result of they missed their youngsters and didn’t wish to change something of their residence.

One frequent means for empty nesters to economize on their renovations is thru DIY. Greater than half stated they did all their renovations themselves somewhat than hiring a contractor.

Moreover, greater than half of respondents stated the renovations they did after their youngsters moved away had been everlasting modifications. 52% stated the modifications had been everlasting, and solely 26% stated they had been momentary.

These renovations could have one thing to do with this: Practically half of empty nesters (43%) stated they’d solely permit a baby to maneuver again in if there have been strings connected.

Most Empty Nesters’ Youngsters Don’t Transfer Too Far Away

Most empty nesters reported that their youngsters didn’t transfer distant after they moved out — however that doesn’t cease them from renovating.

56% of empty nesters stated their youngsters stayed inside an hour’s drive after leaving the household residence. One other 12% stated their youngsters had been lower than three hours away.

And since we’re fairly invested within the self storage business, we needed to ask — and it seems that just about one in 4 empty nesters requires a storage unit for his or her child(s)’s belongings.

Survey Methodology

We surveyed 1,092 American adults who’ve had a minimum of one grown youngster transfer away from residence. The survey was carried out on Pollfish.com between April 14, 2022 and Might 2, 2022.

Respondents had been 45% male and 55% feminine.

• 64% had been ages 35-44.
• 74% had been ages 45-54.
• 62% had been ages 55 and up.