Greetings to all,

Times they are a changing and guess what? The new and improved CAPS classes are finally here! The new names are Marketing and Communication Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I) and Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II). I had the opportunity to teach both new classes at the end of October and I was quite pleased with them both. There were a wide variety of professions (remodelers, architects, new home builders, and OT’s) in the classroom and the new courses covered all bases. Both courses reach out to a broader market than just remodelers and they cover a lot of material that wasn’t addressed in the initial coursework.

CAPS I gives a broad overview of the marketplace, rather than the statistics as in the old course. It does a good job of identifying the three different market segments, explaining how to find data and analyze it, showing you how to access and to sell to the different market segments within the aging-in-place market. The ‘selling’ section will be helpful to everyone-great tips and reminders of some of the basic things we all can do to improve our close ratios.

CAPS II discusses the aging-in-place market with some basic data, addresses contractual considerations which fully explain HIPAA and other clauses one needs to be aware of in this area of the marketplace. CAPS II discusses four categories of design and various building standards that are available for reference. It also discusses the assessment and recommends various other professionals to partner with on a project. The design solutions section addresses each area of the home. The final sections give an overview of estimates and schedule considerations and finally executing the job.

If you are an instructor, I suggest you get your new materials as soon as possible. I highly encourage everyone to retake both CAPS courses to update your skills. For you old school guys, you may find something useful that you forgot you knew. The good news is if you retake the courses they will count towards the required University of Housing hours for recertification.

Merry Christmas to all of you from the bottom of my heart and may you all have a blessed New Year.

See you in Orlando at the International Builders’ Show and Winter Board meeting!

Cindy Knutson-Lycholat ,CGR, CR, CAPS [ return to top ]