What is desirable for a home? and things to watch out

Builder Magazine came out with a list of its top 10 new home features. Topretirements took the liberty of adding and substituting some of our own favorites, making it a top 15 list:>>

1. Radiant-heated bathroom floors. No longer are water-filled pipes required under your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom floors – pre-made mats make installation much simpler and less expensive than the last time you might have considered them.
2. On-demand water heater. The Rheem Pronto is a good example of an on-demand heater that mounts in the wall and helps you avoid wasting energy for hot water stored in pipes and tanks.
3. Glass tiles. Now available in colors, they let the light in and brighten up your home.
4. Dual flush toilets. Can save 6000 gallons a water per year for a family of 4.
5. Low-flow showerheads. Use just 1 gallon per minute vs.3.5 for standard showerheads. Yet performance feels the same.
6. Water re-circulator. If you don’t upgrade to an on-demand heater, a re-circulator gives you instant hot water – no more jumping jacks while you wait for the hot water to arrive through your cold pipes.
7. Folding patio-door. Lets you easily open up an entire wall(s) to your deck or patio – instantly.
8. Central vacuum. One of our favorites. Stop lugging a heavy vacuum around, just plug the head and hose into convenient wall outlets. Doesn’t cost much more than a deluxe vacuum cleaner if installed in a new home.
9. Excellent insulation. One of the invisible upgrades worth checking out. Check the spec from your builder to make sure your ceilings are well-insulated.
10. First floor master bedroom. This is a no-brainer, yet we are astonished at how many homes built for the 55+ set have 2nd floor bedrooms.
11. Built-in Trash/Recycling stations. A built-in big kitchen drawer with multiple compartments for trash and recycling makes your kitchen more attractive and simplifies collection.
12. Solar hot water heating. Much more efficient and cheaper in most climates than photovoltaic systems. Payback in 6-8 years if new Obama proposals are approved.
13. Small wind turbine. New, quieter systems like those from Swift can save money if installed properly in a location with good wind potential. Use this wind potential calculator to evaluate your address.
14. Large, open shower. A shower that isn’t claustrophobic and opens or is windowed to a private garden makes bathtime a lot more of a pleasure.
15. Second sink in kitchen. Makes entertaining a lot easier.

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AARP
and i added like a few into here. mostly is from AARP designs

Bathroom Checklist
• 36-inch-wide door for easy access, or pocket door; wheel-chair assessibility
• Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
• Lever handle, anti-scald faucets on sink, bathtub, and shower
• No threshold walk-in or roll-in shower with minimum dimensions 5 feet by 3 feet (4 feet preferred)
• Hand-held, adjustable-height showerhead with easily operable controls
• Maneuvering space that accommodates a 60-inch turning radius
• Toilet centered 18 inches from any side wall, tub, or cabinet
• Toilet seat 17 to 19 inches off floor for older persons, lower for children
• Grab bars or wall-blocking for future installation in tub, shower and near toilet
• Knee space under sink for seated users
• Easy-glide drawers that close automatically
• Countertops with rounded edges
• Bright, non-glare lighting
• Reduced-slip tile or non-skid floor
• D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer handles
• Full-length and/or tilted mirror that can be used seated or standing
• Towel bars, soap and toothbrush holders 48 inches off floor
• Sink bowl mounted close to front edge of vanity for easier use while seated
• Integral transfer seat in tub and built-in bench or shower chair in shower
• Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
• Lights on showerhead indicating hotness or coldness of water
• Non-slip mat in bathtub
• Bathtub can have a door so the person can just walk in instead of raising legs which increases the chance of slip or injury

Bedroom Checklist
• 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors
• Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
• Closet with multi-level or pull-down shelving and clothes rod
• Avoid bi-fold or accordion closet doors, which can be difficult to open and close
• Electrical outlets 18inches off the floor
• Extra electrical outlets to accommodate technology or future medical-equipment needs

Kitchen Checklist
• 36-inch-wide doors for easy access or pocket doors
• Multi-height, rounded-edge countertops to enable residents to work standing or seated
• Color-contrast front edges on countertops to help prevent spills
• Clear counter space next to sink and all appliances
• Space for a chair under sink or cooktop for seated users
• Easy-access storage, such as pull-out pantry or adjustable-height shelving
• Stove-top water access to fill pots
• Bright, non-glare task lighting over sink, stove, and work areas
• Anti-scald faucet with lever-style handle
• D-shaped or pull-style cabinet and drawer handles
• Easy-glide drawers that close automatically
• Drawer-style dishwasher or raised platform under dishwasher to reduce bending
• Easy-access side-by-side refrigerator/freezer or under-counter, drawer-style refrigerator
• Front-mounted appliance controls that are highly visible or can be operated by touch
• Built-in storage space for easy-access and removable recyclables and trash
• Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
• Extra electrical outlets for small appliances; some outlets located under countertops for easy access
• Rocker-style light switches, 42 inches off the floor
• Easily accessible garbage-disposal switch
• Laundry on main floor
• Front-loading washer and dryer, stacked or on raised platform to reduce bending, with accessible controls on front
• Laundry sink and countertop no more than 34 inches above floor with knee space below for seated users
• Bright task-lighting in laundry
• Wall-mounted folding table that lies flat when not in use
• Non-slip flooring

Den & Living Room Checklist
• 36-inch-wide doors for easy access, or pocket doors
• Level flooring throughout the house
• Easy-touch, rocker-style light switches 42 inches off the floor
• Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
• Seating at least 18 inches off the floor
• Extra electrical outlets to accommodate future technology or medical-equipment needs
• Rearrange furniture and remove any clutter to allow for clear, wide passageways

Stairways & Halls Checklist
• Handrails on both sides of stairs, interior and exterior
• No open, see-through risers on stairs
• Deep stair treads, to accommodate entire foot
• Contrasting color at front edge of steps, to provide visual orientation, or non-slip adhesive strips
• 4-foot-wide stairway to accommodate future chairlift
• Bright, non-glare lighting in hallways and stairwells
• Easy-touch, rocker-style light switches at top and bottom of stairs, 42 inches off floor
• Electrical outlets 18 inches off the floor
• Replace or remove any worn or torn carpeting

Entrances and Exits Checklist
• At least one no-step pathway into the house
• Ample and level maneuvering room, 5 feet by 5 feet, in entryway
• 36-inch-wide entry door with lever-style handle
• Zero-threshold doorway
• Covered entrance to protect from inclement weather
• Shelf near entrance to put packages while opening and closing door
• Bright lighting inside and outside entries
• Lighted doorbell at an easily reachable height
• Easy-open door locks, such as keyless locks with remote or keypad codes
• High-visibility house numbers
• Handrails on both sides of steps
• Railings on porches
• Slip-resistant walkways and entryways
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These are some Common ADA Errors in Wheelchair Accessible Construction:
http://www.mobility-advisor.com/wheelchair-accessible-construction.html >>

Parking
~ The built-up curb ramp projects into the access aisle.
~ The accessible parking space and access aisle is not level in all directions.
~ There is no accessible route from accessible parking to an accessible entrance.
~ No van accessible spaces are provided in the parking area.
~ The pedestrian routes on a site from public transportation stops, accessible parking spaces, passenger loading zones, and public streets and sidewalks to the accessible entrance(s) are not accessible.
Curb Ramps
~ Curb ramp that is located across a circulation path has steep unprotected side flares.
Ramps
~ Landing areas where ramps change direction (e.g., switchbacks or 90° turns) are too small.
~ Parts of an accessible route with slopes that exceed 1:20 lack required features including handrails and edge protection.
Stairs
~ Handrail extensions are not provided at the top and bottom risers.
Doors
~ Adequate maneuvering clearance is not provided at doors, including doors to accessible toilet stalls.
~ The shape of the door hardware requires tight grasping, pinching, and twisting of the wrist to use.
Circulation Paths
~ Objects protrude into circulation paths from the side or from posts.
~ Objects that overhang circulation paths do not provide clear headroom.
Toilet Rooms and Bathrooms
~ Where toilet rooms or bathrooms are provided, not all public and common use toilet rooms and bathrooms (including locker rooms and toilet rooms for employee use) are accessible.
~ Toilet rooms with 6 or more toilet stalls lack a 36" wide "ambulatory" toilet stall.
~ The door to the toilet room swings into the required clear floor space at accessible fixtures, controls, and dispensers.
~ When a transfer shower is used, it is often larger than the required 36" x 36" size.
Signage
~ Where permanent room identification signage is provided, it is mounted in the wrong location.
Visual Alarms
~ No visual alarms are provided although an audible alarm system is installed.
Drinking Fountains
~ All drinking fountains are mounted with the spout at 36" A.F.F.
Restaurants
~ Food service queuing areas are too narrow and do not provide adequate clear width for turns.
~ Condiment or utensil items are placed above the reach range or are not located on an accessible route.
Transient Lodging
~ In hotels, motels, or other lodging facilities of 50 or more sleeping rooms, no rooms with roll-in showers are provided, or the roll-in showers that are provided lack a fold-down seat. ~ Wheelchair-accessible rooms are not equipped with visual alarms and notification devices.
~ Doors into and within guest rooms that are not accessible guest rooms do not provide at least 32" clear opening width.