This home is perfectly nestled against the hillside overlooking the Crane Creek Golf Course.

The light-filled living area is protected from the direct glare of the morning summer sun, and the hill to its back protects it from the hot late-afternoon sun, yet the sunlight slides through the windows in the winter to make it perfectly cozy.

The southeast positioning, blown insulation (even in the interior walls) for warmth and soundproofing, and the efficient heating system mean the utility bills in the winter are barely higher than during the summer.

Yet the design of the home is open and airy. Bob Flood and his wife, Jeannette, were inspired by the Old English style, and the rooms flow easily one into the other, yet large archways still offer some separation. Other than the unique entry, there are no hallways to interrupt the flow and ease of the design.

"I wanted all the space out here," Flood said.

It is a beautiful area for entertaining, the decks are inviting, and it is easy to take care of. The library - with fireplace - becomes a sunroom in the winter yet is not closed off from the rest of the home. And the kitchen is easily accessible, but it does not dominate the large living and entertaining area the way it does in so many of today's homes. (That's one thing that is different from Old English design, which usually had the kitchen tucked in back, out of the way.) The high ceilings add to the elegant ambiance and help the home stay cool in the summertime.

But Flood, now in his mid-70s, had much more in mind when he finished his home back in 2000.

He was retired - and a former hospital administrator - and he began wondering what would happen if they got sick. And conversely, what would happen if they didn't get sick.

Windermere Realtor Jody Hinton was recently qualified as a Seniors Specialist by the National Association of Realtors. She said more and more people have been asking those questions in recent years.

"It has become a necessity, because the majority of the population is at an age to think in those terms," she said. "And boomers are independent thinkers. They're not willing to just relegate themselves to assisted living. And it's more cost-effective to remain in your home."

Thousands of boomers turn 65 every day, and more than one-fifth of all homebuyers are 55-plus. The AARP has discovered that 70 percent of those older than 45 have made at least one modification in their home to enable them to continue to live there.

Meanwhile, builders have begun to apply aging-in-place and universal design principles into new construction.

But Flood was already thinking about those issues more than a decade ago.

The entire living space of his home is roomy and all on one level.

The lower level is dedicated to a garage space and workshop. The workshop itself practically looks large enough to build a small cabin or boat. It's a spacious, dream workshop for anyone who likes to spend time building things.

"I built a home on top of my workshop," Flood said.

There is room for several vehicles (and golf carts). A dumbwaiter simplifies getting groceries to the kitchen, and a laundry chute makes life easier when accessing the washer and dryer.

The wide stairway from the garage to the main level is fortified to allow for the addition of a wheelchair lift, if needed. The entire house has been plumbed and wired for future needs. And, if needed, the laundry room can be moved to the upper level. Workshop or storage areas can be modified into an extra bedroom for larger families or a live-in caregiver.

The house is totally flexible.

"And that's the point," Flood said.

It's a house prepared for whatever a person's future needs may be.

"And you don't need to change it till you need it," he said. "But it's all plumbed and designed."

Hinton says we will see more and more homes like this in the market. There are certain features that will help a property sell more quickly, and builders have finally started to realize what those needs are going to be.

"With homes built in the '90s, it is rare that you can find a main-level master bedroom," she said.

But this home has two main-level master bedrooms.

And there are numerous other elements that make this home attractive. The heated walkway stairs and porch, for example, finally got some use this winter. There's also a secluded spa on a private deck that gets used every day.

"You've got to keep doing that if you're 75, and you want to keep golfing," Flood said.

And how about that golfing?

What good is living next to a golf course if you can't just hop on your cart and roar down to the clubhouse?

That pathway is convenient, and Flood has used it many a time. In fact, you might want to ask him sometime about his holes-in-one and his hole-in-one insurance.

If you lived in this home - designed for current and future needs - you would be able to take advantage of all the features Flood has put into place, but when it comes to holes-in-one, you're on your own.

Go ahead and look. The Treasure Valley is loaded with beautiful homes for sale, and if you've ever wanted to peek inside, this is your chance. This Treasure Magazine feature allows all of us to explore a current property listing.