Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I’ve always been intrigued by home elevators and done properly they don’t detract. Just imagine someone sprains an ankle. Or bad kneed grandparents are visiting. Or your old dog gets a ligament issue. Or laundry is on a different floor. Or you’ve blocked offthe bottom of the stairs to keep the toddlers from climbing up but want to go up quickly yourself without undoing the gate.
Yes it might cost as much as a master bathroom redesign. But it’s sometimes a convenience, it’s fun, and it’s cool. Adds flexibility.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,206,701 times
Reputation: 57821
You have really answered your own question, by saying that you would downsize in a couple of years. Almost all of the people needing an elevator are going to be older, and not in need of a 5,000 sf house. For a large family it's not a necessity nor even desirable, especially if they have young kids. You may luck out and find a family with a handicapped parent or child but even then I doubt that the sale price is going to cover the cost. Ugly or not, you could get the stair lift and when selling offer to cover the cost of removal as a credit to the buyer.
My in-laws just retired and downsized but despite mobility issues bought a 2 story house. They installed the stair lift, and yes, it's ugly, but also really slow.
Not exactly true. We just bought a new ranch home as I am disabled and stairs are the bane of my existence. Until we get the stackable W/D in the kitchen, I still have to trudge the steep basement steps to do the laundry.
If they had elevators, I'd have considered a two story house. My only concern is getting stuck if the power goes out!
OP: If you DO put in an elevator, BE SURE it has battery back-up if the power goes out.
I think you should be able to recoup about 75% of the cost...why? because more and more people I know are looking for such in a house taller than one story, like me. I wish we had one now to the basement!
I love the idea of an elevator but I'm a bit paranoid of being stick in one ....and no way out
I love the idea of an elevator but I'm a bit paranoid of being stick in one ....and no way out
+1
I feel the same concerns, only more so and I don't even like the idea of an elevator in a home.
To me, an elevator would be an absolute deal-breaker. But that's OK, I will always live in a single story home with no stairs, as I do now. Personally I see no reason for me to ever buy a single family home with an elevator.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
