Seniors today have many options…
Taken from the weekly newsletter at Realtor®.org
August 8th, 2010

They can select a home in an independent living community, an active adult community with or without age restrictions or communities that offer continuing care options – as well as all the traditional options available to buyers of all ages. Some may choose to migrate downtown to enjoy the city life for their golden years, while others will want to settle in the suburbs near their families.

While downsizing might immediately come to mind, the truth is some actually desire more space. Another survey conducted by VibrantNation.com found that nearly two-thirds of the female boomers surveyed had one or more of their adult children return home to live, and nearly half of those adult children have brought one or more of their own children with them as well. In addition, 13 percent of boomer women surveyed are living with their parents or in-laws, indicating that downsizing may not be on their agenda. These aren’t the empty nesters of the past, meaning the opportunities to tap into their market have increased tenfold.

There are still plenty looking for smaller homes, and on the whole, homes are generally getting smaller. The U.S. Census recently found the average square footage of a single-family home dropped from 2,541 square feet in 2007 to 2,343 square feet at the end of 2008. A January survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found 88 percent of its members plan to build smaller homes this year. Experts report that what’s on the mind of boomers is well thought-out floor plans that maximize space and are low-maintenance.

Boomers are more active today than in the past, but the preferred activities might not include cleaning a large house or doing yard work. Findings from the 2010 Baby Boomer Survey by Del Webb indicate that many are seeking new activities, and 40 percent of both younger and older boomers have taken up a new hobby or activity in the last few years.

New homeowners focus on finding a place that will fit a growing family or other changing needs, this is no different than working with seniors. “You get involved in peoples’ lives on a different level,” says Lisa A. Thompson with Century 21 S.G.R. Depending on your client’s age, Thompson notes it is important to find a place that caters to a client’s changing health care needs. Many of her senior clients list proximity to health care – particularly their preferred hospital or other health care provider – as an important factor in the decision-making process.

Fifty-five percent of respondents to a 2009 survey by NAHB and the MetLife Mature Market Institute say a home’s proximity to a hospital or doctor’s office is somewhat to very important. In response, builders have considered these needs when building their senior communities.

The Boomer Style…
Taken from the weekly newsletter at Realtor®.org
August 8th, 2010

The amenities, upgrades and home styles that seniors seek are different from younger buyers – as they often desire a simpler way of life as they age. Sixty-three percent of builders responding to the NAHB/MetLife survey say their clients are seeking a maintenance-free lifestyle, while 32 percent are looking for lower living expenses.

Important features for senior housing include access to health care services, a sense of community, maintenance-free living and ranch-style living. Kunicki says other typical amenities include housekeeping, transportation, building security, emergency call services and planned events, while seniors tend to shy away from remote locations, central dining rooms with mandatory meals and places where they have no voice in planned events.

“This age group has been there, done that, so they don’t want to elaborate on everything as they age,” says Linda Metallo of RE/MAX Impact, who often works with the active adult communities developed by Hartz Homes. “[Many upgrades] become not quite as important as they age.”

Like any client, the needs and desires of boomers will vary, and as their agent you must be in tune with what they want. From the VibrantNation.com survey, of those that plan to move in the next decade, 30 percent want to try out a new city , another 30 percent want a house and yard that are easier to maintain and 17 percent want to be closer to their family.

The Appeal of Active Communities…
Taken from the weekly newsletter at Realtor®.org
August 8th, 2010

For seniors seeking such amenities as planned events and maintenance-free living, active adult communities, and other alternatives to the typical retirement community, are great options to consider. Some may resist the notion of senior living, though these active adult communities strive to make boomers feel young and at home.

VibrantNation.com found that Boomer women really want the same things that younger adults seek: parks and green space (24 percent), onsite parking and pet-friendliness (19 percent) and walking distance to shopping and cultural activities (18 percent).

“I think many would be surprised at the way of life in the 55 and over community.” says Phil Hartz, president of Hartz Homes. Hartz says the clubhouse at Lago Vista in Lockport , which features an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a ballroom, fitness room, plenty of recreation space and more, is a major draw for potential residents.
 

  
Are you curious about how your home compares with the national housing figures?
July 21st, 2010

Here is a segment of a very interesting collection of statistics that Mark Brian, Silver Star Real Estate compiled from HUD’s 2009 American Housing Survey (AHS). HUD started this revealing survey in 1973, and it’s interesting to see how homes have changed. Take a look at HUD’s 2009 figures revealing everything from square footage to front porches as home owners have come to expect amenities not standard 37 years ago.
 

  
Want to do something special for your next 4^th of July?
July 8th, 2010
 
Consider visiting San Juan Island , Washington. What a beautiful place San Juan Island is to celebrate the 4^th of July. You have your choice of watching the fireworks at Roche Harbor Marina or in the heart of town in Friday Harbor . Both are great places to kick back with your favorite beverage & people watch.
 
I started the festivities by watching our local parade with my dog, Brook. If you haven’t watched a local parade, you’re missing something; the energy is infectious. My day continued with our Pig War picnic’s great food, music and more people watching.
 
In the evening I had dinner at San Juan Island Yacht Club. Then I gathered with friends to Rock the Dock with a fabulous band known as the “Time Benders” taking us musically from the 50’s through each decade only stopping when the fireworks started. A great place to dance and, you guessed it, people watch.
 
By now I was ready to head to the dock, sit down with friends and watch one of the best darn fireworks around. Check out sjichamberofcommerce.com for upcoming events and places to stay.

  
Traveling Back Home
May 21st, 2010

When visiting other cities and countries, I’m reminded how truly awesome our island is and how thankful I am when returning home. The San Juan Islands are a destination place that many people come to visit and fall in love with. I can see our island through their eyes and it encourages me to take the extra time to stop and ask if I can help with directions or information.

Visitors are starting to arrive; I can feel their energy. They visit our islands, fall in love with its beauty and find a new place to call home.
That’s why I say……. Come for a visit; stay for a lifetime.

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How Baby Boomers are changing retirement...
May 14th, 2010

Markets and services have changed to adapt to and accommodate Baby Boomers through every stage of their lives: from the growth and expansion of school districts and colleges as Boomers moved through their childhood and youth to housing starts in the 70s when Boomers began forming households. Boomers have also comprised the largest and most educated group of employees in U.S. history. They’ve been the largest and wealthiest consumer group in the U.S. and their choices are influential. Given this background, it is only to be expected that the Boomers will shape retirement in the U.S. to fit their needs and desires.
 
And speaking on the subject of Boomers becoming seniors, there is a myth going around I’d like to discuss: older people are afraid of technology. The reality is older adults are active users of the Internet. AARP research shows an increasing usage of the Internet by seniors and, as technology-savvy Boomers age, that trend can be expected to continue.

To that fact, I’d like to give you a web link to help seniors. www.SNAPforseniors.com
SNAPforSeniors offers a searchable database of listings for over 110,000+ senior service providers in the U.S.
 

 
The Seniors Real Estate Specialist
April 28th, 2010

Not too long ago I received my SRES® designation. The Seniors Real Estate Specialist designation is awarded to REALTORS® who have successfully completed the required education course. SRES® designees learn how to lead senior clients through real estate transactions and draw on the expertise of a network of senior specialists, such as CPAs, estate planners, lawyers, clutter and staging experts as well as community resources and services. The SRES® designation is the only one of its kind recognized by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®. More than 15,000 REALTORS® have earned the SRES® designation.

In my next few blogs I’ll share information that I hope will be of help to you. By the way, I’ve also learned that Baby Boomers hate to be included in the senior category. Perhaps that’s why, as a Boomer, I cringe when called senior.
 

 
A picture is worth a thousand words
April 14th, 2010

When you are putting your home on the market, and your Real Estate agent takes pictures of your home, make sure you have done your homework first. People are moved by emotion, you can have pictures that help buyers visualize your home as theirs.
 
Are the pictures showing your home as the best it can be? It isn’t enough to turn on all the lights and open the curtains to help your rooms look bigger. Pick up your dogs dish, put away your cats litter box, do the dishes, pick up any papers and think of your home from the buyers perspective.
 
Are there special features of your home that you want to highlight such as a special window seat? Put out pillows, open a book to capture the mood of a calm get-away area ready for your buyer to step into.

Spring is approching...
March 27th, 2010

That means it's time to clean up the yard.
Whether you are selling your home or not, with the nicer days ahead take the time to clean up what winter has left behind. Look at your front yard from the eye of a new buyer walking up to your door; does your yard say there’s a lot of work to do here?

Placing potted seasonal plants at your front entrance gives a great first impression. Maybe have a seasonal wreath or dried grasses in the off season.  Make sure entry windows are sparkling clean and your porch swept and have a clean doormat. First impressions are so important.

Cut back, spruce up and watch the fruits of your labor bring a smile to your face. Now where did I put that shovel?
 

Just a word on staging…
March 11th, 2010
 
Question, why is your home not selling?
Too many properties sit on the market for months without buyers walking through their homes or making offers. Why? It could be the home is over priced for this market, or it could be that your home needs to be spruced-up a bit; we call this staging.
 
Walk through your home and visualize how a potential buyer sees the use of space. Do you need to remove clutter, paint a room or clean the yard up? Is the carpet in need of professional cleaning? Look in your cupboards and closets; are they bulging at the seams? If they are crammed, buyers may think there is not adequate storage. Clean it up and clear it out. Rent a storage area for the time your home is on the market for personal items you just can’t live without. 
 
Sometimes it is nothing more than moving your furniture around for better space planning of traffic patterns. Take out that over-stuffed chair and free up some space.