What do you feel that the “baby-boom” generation is really looking for in terms of housing?

Question: We have been in the building industry in Summit County for the past 5 years. We want to keep abreast of what the demand is in terms of new housing. What do you feel that the “baby-boom” generation is really looking for in terms of housing?

Answer: The baby boomer generation is continuing to lead the way in the homebuying market, and homebuilders are scrambling to understand their needs and respond to them. The problem is that their needs are constantly changing. Five years ago, builders believed that aging baby boomers were looking to downsize their homes, but today's surveys indicate that baby boomers actually want larger homes with modern facilities.

The booming housing market has allowed many baby boomers to sell their older homes at a much higher price than when they were purchased, which enables them to afford larger and more expensive homes.

In fact, industry experts have pinpointed baby boomer preferences. Among them: design that provides value; exercise and fitness rooms; homes equipped with new technology; the desire to age in place, meaning the house's space must be flexible; and unique home designs to avoid the cookie-cutter effect. Other trends include universal designs, attached housing, variety in color, single-story homes with master suites, and retirement housing that allows them to remain in the area where they currently reside.

Of course, not everyone wants a larger home, and the submarkets that exist within the baby boomer generation present a complicated situation for builders. Del Webb has been one of the more successful homebuilding companies in terms of catering to this generation. Its size has put it in a better position to offer the diversity craved by the baby boomers, and as a result its communities feature a variety in age, amenities, and home design. Ó2008 Information.Inc.