When seeking to purchase a home in a new community, buyers ages 55 and older are keen on sites near amenities such as shopping, dining, medical services and entertainment, with affordability and open layouts also coming in strong. That according to new research by the real estate media firm Hanley Wood and national homebuilder and developer Taylor Morrison, which includes findings from a focus group held with buyers who are ages 55 and older as well as a separate survey gauging the values, preferences and attitudes of recent homebuyers in the same age group.
“Information gleaned from the focus group helps set the stage on what the 55-plus homebuyer desires in a new home and how the industry should be building its homes,” said John McManus, editorial director of Hanley Wood’s Residential Group. “These influential buyers want a fresh start in a vital, connected, accessible new-home environment.”
Key findings uncovered in the research:
- The top three factors that influence the purchase of a new home include area/location (50.2 percent), price/affordability (37.4 percent) and the layout of the home (19 percent).
- When building or shopping for a new home, quality of construction (9 percent), a safer neighborhood (8.4 percent), better floor plans (8.2 percent) and architecture/overall design (8.1 percent) led the way.
- The top three most important rooms or areas in a home included the kitchen (82.8 percent), master bedroom (59.2 percent) and a great room (36 percent).
- Technology also is important to Baby-Boomers, including wireless security systems (7.1 percent), lighting that senses and adapts to you (6.3 percent), and integrated home technology such as smart thermostats and lighting controlled by a smart phone (6.2 percent).
Based on their findings, Hanley Wood and Taylor Morrison are set to unveil the NEXTadventure Home at the 2017 International Builders Show Jan. 10-12 in Orlando, Fla. Crafted with the help of some of the industry’s leading architects, designers, thought leaders and manufacturers, the 2,268-square-foot home will include outdoor living features (including a pool, fireplace and summer kitchen), along with a large kitchen island, super shower, beverage center, secondary bedroom (called “a snore room”) and walk-in pantry.