I am a proud REALTOR® and baby boomer! Baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964), form nearly a quarter of our population. We may be getting older but we are still very active!  We have in the past and continue to make a significant impact on the U.S. economy as whole, not just in the housing market. Working far longer than previous generations, we desire a lifestyle with quality… and housing that supports it.

The fact that boomers often work past the age of 65 often means that we are working from home and so expect our homes to have an office. Along with the office comes more technical characteristics that spill over to the entire home, such as wireless home networks, remote lights etc.  In anticipation of future needs where we might be in a wheelchair, we expect wider doors and hallways and single- story buildings with bigger bedrooms. A preference for low maintenance homes and flexible living spaces is prominent too.

We boomers are not adhering to the traditional retirement patterns of our predecessors. Divided into two groups when it comes to our housing needs, we either want more space, or look to downsize. Desiring this change of lifestyle, both groups are discerning buyers and know exactly what our needs are. Recently, developers are meeting this challenge head on and are constructing homes that suit this second largest group of boomer home buyers, those looking to downsize.

As I mentioned, I am a boomer. It’s easy for me to relate to other boomers’ needs and stay abreast of the options we have available for one of the most important aspects of our lives, where we lay our head at night. I stay aware of new developments for boomer housing in the Chicagoland suburbs.

Speaking of new developments, there is a townhome development that recently broke ground, right here in nearby Palatine. It’s called Newberry Lane and will offer 16 spacious units with first floor master suites. I’d love to share more about this exciting development with you, as well as answer any questions you have about downsizing or making a housing change.

Get in touch so we can pow-wow, one boomer to another!