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The largest American generation is either retired or quickly nearing retirement
age. Baby boomers, the generation born between 1946 and 1964 and who count more
than 76 million, may be getting older, but they are definitely not ready to
head to the retirement home!
The boomer generation is more active than generations past, has a more
sophisticated style and wants options and choices in their homes. Whether they
are selling the homes where they raised their children and heading to sunnier
pastures, or staying put and redesigning to accommodate their retired
lifestyle, boomers are making an impact on new housing trends.
Features that home builders and remodelers are seeing as they begin to cater to
the boomers include:
Home Offices – Some boomers are choosing to work past the age of 65. As they transition from a
traditional 9-to-5 job, however, they want home offices for flexibility. A
second career or part-time employment often eliminates the hassle of commuting
while keeping them active and bringing in supplementary income.
Tech/Media Centers – The tech-savvy boomer generation wants top-of-the-line amenities for their
homes such as a media room with surround sound and central control systems,
which manage all media sources in one location. The house may include a
wireless home network (Wi-Fi), remote control lighting and security
features.
Wider Doors and Hallways – As a person ages, there is a likelihood that use of a wheelchair might become a
necessity. Designing a home that is livable now but can transition and be functional as the
occupant ages is important in ensuring that the home will be a good long-term
investment. Wider doors and hallways are useful for moving larger furniture
today, and will also be wheelchair accessible tomorrow.
Better Lighting/Bigger Windows – The need for more lighting usually increases as we grow older. To accommodate this, builders are adding more windows and making them larger to
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let in more natural light. They are also adding more light fixtures in areas
including under cabinets and in stairwells. Multiple switches to reduce the
number of trips and dimmer controls to eliminate glare are other options.
First-Floor Bedrooms and Bathrooms – More than 40 percent of new homes have master suites downstairs, a 15 percent
increase over a decade ago. Boomers not wishing to go up and down stairs with
bad knees and aching backs have helped fuel this trend. The bedrooms are also
bigger, with larger walk-in closets and bathrooms that have a separate tub and
shower and dual sinks.
Easy to Maintain Exteriors/Land scaping – Yard work, painting and other landscaping chores may no longer be enjoyable to
aging homeowners. People who move to a new home when they retire may opt for a
maintenance-free community. Those who choose to stay in their homes might make
improvements to exterior surfaces such as installing stucco, brick or
low-maintenance siding. Lawns are being replaced with living patios, decorative
landscaping or flower beds, which can be a hobby for gardening enthusiasts.
Flex Space – “Flex space” has become more prevalent in both new homes and remodeling. Flex spaces are
rooms that take on the purpose of the present home owner’s needs but can adjust with changes as they occur. What may have once started
out as a guest bedroom can be redecorated to serve as a hobby room or library.
This allows homeowners to stay in their homes longer as it continues to serve
their needs throughout life’s stages.
To find a designated Certified Active Adult Specialist in Housing (CAASH) or
Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) builder or remodeler, contact the
GHBA at 281-970-8970.
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