Active Adult Housing Trends -
“Lifestyle without Maintenance”
The
50+ market is the fastest growing segment of the
housing market and is expected to account for over 100 million by 2012. In Pennsylvania the 55-74 age group accounts for 17% of state population and it is the 4th highest in US.
Our
active adults are well informed, well educated, internet savvy and value conscious.
Some of the key reasons
“Active Adults” consider moving to a
“Life Style Community” are: relief of
home owner maintenance, to simplify their life and to have freedom to leave for a trip or a vacation without worry.
Most of the year my first contact is a motivated wife, but about the time the leaf racking and snow removal come around, I get more husbands to make that first call, send that initial email inquiry or visit my Open House.
In our further conversations most often we arrive at the same additional reasons why they wish to move: To simplify their life, to be able to “Lock and Leave” or “Pick up and Go” without much preparation or complications.
Baby boomers are not like the previous generations, they are continuing to update and to renew. They are growing and trying new things; still full of wonder and curiosity; continuing to re-invent themselves; love new adventure and thrive when forced to have a new beginning.
Baby boomers are the
“sandwich generation” who move when urban sprawl forces them, or when their neighborhood no longer reflects their lifestyle. It is often that
baby boomers convert their second home into their first; they move to simplify life.
Baby boomers move for family and also they stay for family. They still move for work and health reasons and they do move for “Lifestyle reasons”; many wish to “right size”which does not necessarily mean down size.
When my
active adult clients ask for a home most of the time they have clearly defined expectation. In addition to a good value and all financial consideration they wish to have access to a health and fitness facility; an easy access to tennis, walking, running, nature trails, swimming facilities, natural recreation areas and they wish to have the freedom of a worry free lifestyle, to have the ability to pick up and go.
Many
55+ Buyers wish to be in a close proximity to their present location and look for “green” life style as it relates to the value.
This is a discretionary purchase and the decision is made carefully with the advice of the right professional who will assist them through a maze of protocol and procedures and make the process simple and safe. Survey shows that most satisfied “
Active Adults” or “
Life Style Buyers” are those who have been represented by a well trained, informed and reputable Senior Specialist
Realtor.
Branka Doych
Realtor,
SRES Senior Real Estate Specialist
