Boomers
Don't Retire From Homeownership
Today's
baby boomer population is shattering common stereotypes and perceptions
of retirement. America's boomers – born between 1946 and 1964 – typically
are not retiring from professional careers and homeownership in favor
of Social Security checks and lazy days. Instead, many boomers are
opting for "active retirement" and buying homes that suit
their mature needs.
Boomers
Buy and Stay Put
There's
a new glimpse into boomers' outlook on retirement and it's prompting
many in the housing industry to rethink commonly held beliefs. The
AARP* study, Fixing to Stay Put, revealed that nearly one-third of
boomers are seeking homes they can stay in throughout retirement.
With over 30 million Americans making up the boomer population, according
to Census estimates, there's an enormous buyer segment looking to
you to find the perfect retirement home. The National Association
of Home Builders®* says new-home elements that your baby boomer
clients will ask for include:
* Master bedrooms and bathrooms on the main floor of the residence
* Home offices or workspaces complete with Internet hookups
* Minimal steps and wide hallways
* Large bathrooms with safety features
* More light switches and better lighting
Boomers
Stay Busy
Active
retirement – the trend for baby boomers to continue working, earning
and enjoying recreational activities during retirement – is what today's
retirees yearn for. The
New Retirement Survey*, conducted by Merrill Lynch, Internet-marketer
Harris Interactiveand the boomer-research firm Age Wave, found that
41- to 59-year-old boomers don't want to retire from their busy lifestyles.
In fact, a whopping 76 percent of boomers intend to stay employed
and earning in retirement, and 42 percent will cycle between periods
of work and leisure. And when they're not working they want to spend
time on recreation, not home maintenance. Find homes for these buyers
with:
* Low-maintenance perks where domestic chores, such as lawn care,
snow removal and other upkeep necessities are contracted out
* Locations close to recreational and cultural activities
* More living space for things like home offices and hobby rooms,
and less property
Boomer
Women Make More Decisions
In
addition to changing how they retire, baby boomers are also at the
forefront of shifting the gender roles of retirement. The New Retirement
Survey indicated that because boomer women are educated, more independent,
and have mastered juggling a career and raising a family, they're
six times more likely to share financial responsibilities with their
spouses than their mothers were. They're also seeking an active retirement
that's peppered with opportunities for career development, community
involvement and continued personal growth. So consider tailoring your
presentation techniques and selling strategies to emphasize how the
homes you're presenting will help them meet these goals.
Boomers
Can Be a Continued Force
The
changing mentality of retirees-to-be is becoming quite apparent in
every facet of the housing industry. As the largest home-buying population,
according to the NAHB, baby boomers are changing housing ideals and
causing the market to adapt to meet their mature housing requests.
Read
more at: http://realtors.countrywide.com
