Boomers Redefine 'Dream House'

By: Cecily O'ConnorRedwoodAge.com

Baby boomers' idea of a dream home doesn't hinge on a warm climate or proximity to healthcare professionals.
They are more concerned about designing abodes with home offices, broadband access and other features that enable them to be active and in touch, according to a study by the Internet Home Alliance Research Council.
About two-thirds of survey respondents - adults over the age of 50 who have moved in the last four years - said they have offices in their new homes. Seventy percent of residents in active adult communities and 65 percent who live in "typical neighborhoods" have broadband Internet access. Meanwhile, about 45 percent of active adult community residents and 51 percent of typical neighborhood residents have WiFi access.
Adults "are designing homes and choosing upgrades that will let them stay fully engaged with friends and family," said council vice president Tim Woods. "Hubs of activity, whether in the form of a gourmet kitchen for entertaining or a home office with broadband or wireless technology, are essential.”
As a result, more consumer product and service companies are recognizing the value of the baby boomer market due to its size and buying power. One-quarter of all U.S. residents - approximately 80 million consumers - are aged 50 and older, according to MetLife’s Mature Market research. Of that 80 million, half are baby boomers between the ages of 51 and 64, and half are older.
Respondents interviewed for the study included 600 homeowners over the age of 50 who bought a new home within the last four years, and selected its features and amenities. Some 390 respondents live in an active adult community, while the remaining 210 live in typical neighborhoods with people of all ages. The study was released at the National Association of Home Builders’ 50+ Housing Symposium. Members of the council include the NAHB, Whirlpool and other companies targeting the home technology market.
Trading spacesNinety-one percent of respondents said retirement or semi-retirement is the main reason they moved into a new home. Few moved into a new house as a result of a health condition or a job. Only 25 percent and 23 percent of active adult and typical neighborhood residents, respectively, said they chose to move to a new home because of its warm location.
Among those who sought housing in a typical neighborhood, nearly half did so because they sought a home with a better layout or design that included kitchens with premium cabinets or luxurious bathrooms with "his and hers" areas. About 60 percent of respondents moving into active adult communities chose that option because they want to be near people their age who had similar interests.
No matter the neighborhood, several themes rang true for all respondents: cool design features and lots of options. Virtually all homes have laundry rooms and about half boast gourmet kitchens. Ten percent of homes had home theaters, while 8 percent came equipped with exercise rooms. Central audio was put into 29 percent of active adult community homes and 40 percent of typical neighborhood homes. However, about 40 percent of respondents who opted against audio wiring initially said they would chose it if they could make the decision over again.
Not all respondents were prone to second-guess their decisions, however, especially when it came to aging independently. The survey found that respondents over the age of 65 worried less than younger homeowners about independent living matters such as feeling secure in their home, using the bathroom independently, seeing a doctor on short notice and staying connected to family.
“Older seniors may be realizing that the aging process is taking less of a toll on them than they expected," Mr. Woods said.
About 43 percent of boomers said they plan to age-proof their homes in the future by adding grab bars in the bathroom, or ramps and handrails in entryways.