Angie's Baby Boomer Blog

The new Indian Land library will have 'organic' décor

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:43:00 GMT

In many ways, the new library, under construction on Hwy. 521 near Sun City Carolina Lakes, is intended to be a home away from home for all county residents.

Carpet, wall colors and cabinets are all details and have painstakingly picked out for the "Indian Land's Living Room." Chosen are colors commonly found outdoors, mimicking the hues of grass and red clay. The entryway floor will be made of cork, and the main carpet in the library has a subtle leaf print.

The next step is choosing furniture, hoping to stay in the Carolinas for those purchases, making sure as much local merchandise as possible is used for the facility.

Construction on the library is expected to be complete in November.

Donations for the library project continue to trickle in, but more money is needed.

In total, $381,000 has been received in donations from companies, grants and individuals, but $400,000 more is needed to completely furnish the library.

Recently, the Lancaster County Partners for Youth donated $20,000 to the Del Webb Library at Indian Land, to be used for creating study rooms.

The project, along with a new county courthouse, could become part of the capital needs bond referendum the Lancaster County Council is considering.

The Indian Land library is just going to be an arm of the main branch in Lancaster. It's wholly dependent on the main branch. It doesn't all end when our doors open. The health of the Indian Land branch is very dependent on the health of the main branch.

Also see www.Carolina55andBetter.com

PROFILE OF ACTIVE ADULT AND THE 50+ HOUSING MARKET

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 22:16:00 GMT

'ACTIVE ADULT COMMUNITIES'

They're called “active adult” communities, and they're one of the hottest parts of the Charlotte area housing market. Some carry age restrictions, others don't. But they're all designed for buyers 55 and older who are ready to downsize their home but not their lifestyle. Prices often range from $200,000 to $500,000.

Typical features:

Homes usually are on one floor, or at least have the master suite, laundry room and main living spaces on the first floor.

Exterior maintenance is often covered by owners' fees.

Amenities include recreational facilities – pools, tennis courts and walking trails.

PROFILE OF THE 50+ HOUSING MARKET

It might seem as if a larger proportion of active adults – those 55 and older – are downsizing to condos and patio homes, but the numbers say otherwise. Just 5 percent of the folks in that age group move each year, according to a study by the National Association of Home Builders, and that's held steady for a decade.

Here's more from the study, “Profile of the 50+ Housing Market,” by the association's 50+ Housing Council:

Half of all movers 55 and older stay in the same county.

Second homes are more prevalent among older households. Sixteen percent of 55- to 64-year-old households own second homes, the peak ownership.

Three years ago, 350,360 households were in age-restricted or “age-qualified” communities, while about 897,000 were in “other” communities designed to appeal to active adults.

In order from most important, age-qualified buyers rank their preferences this way: recreational facilities, open space within a half block, services provided, gated community, water within a half block, waterfront home.

Design matters. More of those 55 to 64 years old rank design (33 percent) higher than proximity to family and friends (22percent).

These buyers shop multiple neighborhoods and look at more than 10 homes on average.

The median price in age-qualified neighborhoods is $330,000; in “other” active adult communities, the median price is $300,000.

SOURCE: Profile of the 50+ Housing Market, by the NAHB's 50+ Housing Council

Also see www.Carolina55andBetter.com

Baby Boomers Seeking to Downsize—But Not By Much

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:37:00 GMT

NAHB Study Finds Design, Desire to Be Near Family Drives Decision to Move

By 2014 the 55-plus population is expected to exceed 85 million and the nation's home builders have been increasingly catering to the unique needs and interests of mature homebuyers, according to a new study that was released last week by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in conjunction with their International Builders' Show ® (IBS) in Orlando, Fla..

According to the data compiled by NAHB's 50+ Housing Council, more than a quarter of a million people will opt to buy new housing in communities specifically built for those ages 55 or better, and more than 100,000 units constructed in 2008 will be targeted to this growing niche market. The report, Profile of the 50+ Housing Market, also dispels some common perceptions about the older home buyer: first, "downsizing" is a relative term and, second, the vast majority of these buyers won't be relocating to the Sun Belt.

The report found that homes in age-restricted active adult communities were only slightly smaller than other homes purchased by 55+ home buyers in both square footage and the total number of rooms, including bedrooms and bathrooms, but were less likely to have a specialty room such as a den or library. In addition, the majority of age-restricted housing buyers (59 percent) indicated they felt they were moving into a better home than their previous one, although fewer than half (41 percent) said their new home cost more than the old one.

Baby boomers may be scaling back in their home size, but they aren't willing to sacrifice quality. They're still looking for new homes that are well-designed and have many of the latest bells and whistles. "Downsizing' means to them the maintenance that comes with owning the typical home with the big yard.

According to the American Housing Survey data that NAHB's researchers analyzed, most buyers (77 percent) chose a new home in a particular age-restricted community because they liked the home's look and overall design, while the top reasons they chose the community was the design (49 percent) and to be close to friends and relatives (28 percent). More than half of all new buyers in 55+ communities move within the same county as they currently live.

The report also suggests that new home buyers in this niche market are not as adversely affected by the current troubles in the mortgage market. Fewer than half of the customers who bought a new home in an age-qualified active adult community needed to take out a mortgage. Of those who did, the study found, the loan-to-value ratio was under 50 percent. Nearly all home buyers in these communities who made a down payment reported that the down payment came from the sale of a previous home. Senior consumers have substantial equity in their existing homes and greater accumulated wealth. They are discretionary buyers and their purchases are very much driven by a desire for the lifestyle these types of communities offer. Seniors are also buyers who are more likely than other groups to buy a new or custom home.

How mature buyers might be affected by the slower housing market is in the selling of their existing homes. Given the strong demographics of the baby boom generation, the active adult buyer will continue to be a very important housing consumer for a long time to come.

Also see http://www.carolina55andbetter.com/

Soon Sun City Carolina residents can ride their Golf carts to the nearby grocery store!

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 13:26:00 GMT

Charlotte's RED (Real Estate Development) Partners has started work on Carolina Commons, a 180,000-square-foot center adjoining the 1,200-acre-plus active adult community on U.S. 521 in Indian Land, S.C.

By early next year, residents of Sun City Carolina Lakes near Charlotte will be able to drive a golf cart to a supermarket, a drugstore, a bank, a restaurant and medical services.

Harris Teeter will anchor the retail portion with a 53,000-square-foot grocery. Other signed tenants are CVS, BB&T and Wendy's.

Presbyterian Healthcare will occupy 40,000 square feet of a 60,000-square-foot multi-tenant medical office building.

The developer bought its 25-acre site from Pulte Homes, which is developing the Del Webb community of up to 3,400 homes for buyers over age 55.

The residential project was designed with golf-cart lanes on major traffic arteries and parking spaces especially for carting homeowners.

The developer worked with Pulte on providing golf cart access and parking spaces in the center and coordinating the architectural design of Carolina Commons.

They see the center as an amenity to residents, who won't have to venture onto U.S. 521 for basic consumer services.

About a third of Sun City planned homes have been completed and about 1,100 people live there.

Carolina Commons also is providing golf cart access though the center to a public library, under construction on two acres donated by Pulte.

The main entrance off U.S. 521 to Carolina Commons will be on Jim Wilson Road, across from Crosland LLC's planned 142-acre Cornerstone shopping and medical office complex.

Planners anticipate more commercial and residential growth in fast-growing Lancaster panhandle because of it proximity to Ballantyne in south Charlotte and Charlotte/Douglas International Airport.

S.C. officials estimated that Sun City -- about 8.5 miles south of Ballantyne -- will add about 6,000 residents to the county.

Also see Angie's Active Adult Website www.Carolina55andBetter.com

A Study by Sperling’s Best Places: Most Romantic Cities for Baby Boomers

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:56:00 GMT

Sperling’s latest study found the top 10 cities in the United States where romance blooms for boomers--no matter what the interruption.

Top 10 Cities That Have That Loving Feeling

Pittsburgh, PA
Salt Lake City, UT
Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Providence, RI
Charlotte, NC
Hartford, CT
Minneapolis, MN
Rochester, NY
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX

Female Boomers Demand Your Attention

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 22:07:00 GMT

Women control 91 percent of homebuying or remodeling decisions. This finding from a recent Harvard University study caused Doris Perlman, founder and president of Possibilities for Design, a Denver-based home design firm, to delve more deeply into the homebuying habits of female baby boomers (women born between 1946 and 1964).

Among her observations:

This target market is looking for practicality and comfort, which translates into demand for wider hallways and stairs, living areas on the main floor, and open-air floor plans with multifunctional spaces.
Both task lighting and natural light are of major importance to compensate for declining vision that many baby boomers are starting to experience.
For aging eyesight, any marketing material in smaller than 13-point type is “retail suicide.”
Seventy-five percent of female boomers will settle for a smaller house if that’s what it takes to get high-quality products and amenities.
Women buyers are looking for strong character in home design, such as cottages with a crisp and clean look, urban enclaves with rich colors and textures, and calming and contemporary Asian influences.
Women are attuned to colors, while men do not seem to care as much. In response, the color trends of 2005-2006 included brown becoming the new black; grayed-out greens; reds coming up orange; classic colors with such new names as Wasabi, Aero Blue and Vanilla; and textural effects suggesting copper, pewter and stone.
Female baby boomers now have more time to relax, engage in social activities and explore hobbies, making “special-interest” rooms an essential feature in their home selection. “Women shop with peripheral vision: They notice everything,” Perlman said.
Women 55 and over are cyber-savvy, and use their computers for ordering and correspondence.

If female boomers are a segment you market to, knowing how they think and act can give you the inside edge on winning their business.

Empty nester trends

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:51:00 GMT

The National Association of Home Builders has identified these trends in housing for empty nesters:

• One-level living. Stairs and aging joints aren't exactly a match made in heaven, so homes geared toward empty nesters are either built on one level or keep the master bedroom and all the primary living areas on the main level.

• Reduced exterior maintenance. Many developers are luring empty nesters by including yard maintenance -- even with single-family homes -- and using building materials that require little to no maintenance.

• Turn-key lifestyles. Active empty nesters like to travel -- they have grandchildren to spoil and dream vacations to enjoy -- and want to be able to turn the key and leave without worrying about security or maintenance.

• Down-sizing doesn't mean skimping on amenities. Empty nesters who give up square footage still want open floor plans, gourmet kitchens and large master suites.

More at www.Carolina55andbetter.com

Featuring a new Active Adult Comunity "Glenmore Garden Villas"

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:43:00 GMT

Location: McKee and Kuykendall roads in south Charlotte, five minutes from Interstate 485, three minutes from Providence Road. Size: 71 two-story townhomes in 21 buildings on 16 acres.

Prices: Starting at $389,900 for a three-bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2,899-square-foot unit including large downstairs master suite.

Features: 10-foot ceilings downstairs, flex room, upstairs office, 16-by-10 foot outdoor dining patio, two-car garage, granite counter tops in kitchen, 42-inch maple cabinets.

Options: Outdoor living package, ventless gas fireplace, Viking and Bosch appliances, wet bar in flex room.

Amenities: Pool, cabana, gardens, fountains, landscaped grounds.

Ask Angie Adams SRES for more details! Also see www.Carolina55andbetter.com

"You Tube" and Sun City Carolina Lakes

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 00:55:00 GMT

I was just made aware of someone making home movies on "You Tube". If interested you can watch them here Sun City Carolina Lakes on "You Tube" . I thought that one was pretty neat Flight over Sun City Carolina Lakes

Maintenance-free living at Lake Wylie

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:06:00 GMT

Harpers Green, featuring 97 townhomes on 20 acres along S.C. 557, will open its sales center near Thanksgiving, with the furnished model completed by February. Priced in the mid- to high-$200s, Harpers Green will provide a gated community with maintenance-free living and lots of space -- especially for townhomes.

"We could have put almost 200 homes there, but we wanted to keep it smaller and provide a privacy that is usually not associated with townhomes," the builder said.

Other amenities include an open-air picnic pavilion, play park, putting greens and bocce ball. All homes range from 2,000 to 2,500 square feet with master bedrooms on the main level and come with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and a two-car garage.

"We feel like this will appeal both to the empty nester and the young professional," the builder said. "It's close to everything."

More at www.Carolina55andbetter.com

Best Neighborhoods to Retire, by CNN Money

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 19:35:00 GMT

Charlotte, NC, Best place to retire: Uptown

Pros: Low cost of living and property taxes, buyer's market, new light rail line

Cons: Construction - of the twenty condo tower projects, only two are complete.

Real estate: One survey found an average condo price of $440,000, but basic one-bedrooms still go for under $200,000. Rent an Uptown two-bedroom with a garage for $1,500. Read more Best Places to Retire!

Also see www.Carolina55andBetter.com

New Gated Community with Patio Homes near Lake Wylie

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:50:00 GMT

Shoppes at the Landing will include a Gated community with 25 Patio Homes ranging from $350,000 to $450,000. Ask Angie for more info or go to www.Carolina55andbetter.com.

Work on Commercial and Retail Center near Sun City Carolina Lakes will begin soon!

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 19:54:00 GMT

If you were originally looking into Sun City Carolina Lakes and you were did not like the price, or you feel it is too far from retail, there is exciting news:

A 25 acre commercial and retail center at Sun City Carolina Lakes will begin early this Summer and will include a Harris Teeter grocery store, a large CVS pharmacy, banks and other retail shops. There will also be a medical office and a library. It should be completed in 2 to 3 years.

If you don’t have any interest in Sun City there are several new patio home communities coming up nearby. The Builder is Standard Pacific homes, and these are Ranch/Patio homes that are maintained with a clubhouse and pool. Call me to get on the list if you have any interest. Prices start at $240,000

Pulte Homes has a mainstream community across from Sun City and they have a separate section with maintenance free patio homes (private wooded lots) starting at $217,000. They also have a clubhouse with pool.

Epcon communities is building all brick pinwheel type one story condos in Tega Cay, SC in walking distance to retail and Lake Wylie. Call me for more info. They start in the low $200,000

Call Angie Adams, SRES for more info toll free (866) 561-6396

See website: www.Carolina55andBetter.com

Charlotte Active Adult and 55 plus Communities

Angie Adams SRES REALTOR Broker — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 01:39:00 GMT

Some Baby Boomers, now entering their 50's consider the purchase of a home at an Active Adult Community, where it takes only one person per household, aged 55 or older, to qualify to live at these a resort-style neighborhoods. Already having experienced "empty nest" syndrome, hundreds of builders across the nation are targeting marketing campaigns towards to live the cruise-ship lifestyle at their newly created "active adult" communities.

The most notable reason for the emergence of so many 55-plus Active Communities is the much-touted "Graying of America". Baby Boomers are the largest-ever single age group to hit the demographic charts in many years and this group tends to be more active, healthier, wealthier and more educated than any previous generation. More and more Boomers are choosing an "early out" or semi-retirement opportunity, compared to those in previous generations who marked time for social security and retirement income.

Under Federal Fair Housing laws, these resort-style communities, restricted to those 55 or older, are permitted to be built only if the developer can furnish facilities and services targeted for that population, with the designation of at least one person per household of that age or older. Until recently, the only geographic areas to offer retirement communities attractive enough to relocate for were located in Arizona and Florida, the Sun Belt regions of the U.S. Now in North Carolina, Charlotte is on the list of the most popular places for retirement starting with the recent grand opening of Del Webb Sun City Carolina Lakes and other Active Adult communities to follow.

Builders have recognized that these adult communities, whether on a small scale or built into large golf course-oriented master planned resort areas, flourish near larger metropolitan areas. Needless to say, communities like these are literally popping up everywhere in the North Carolina. Greater Charlotte has indeed much to offer: The Symphony, Concerts, Theater Plays, Sports, Shopping and Restaurants, NASCAR and Non-stop flights to National and International destinations.

Active adult community builders try to gear everything they can; the design of their communities, the location of them, the activities offered, and, of course, the homes themselves. That is a more formidable task than one would think. Baby Boomers want a small-town atmosphere, but don't want to be far from the action and larger metropolitan areas. Their friends have now become almost as important as their families, so a social structure is extremely important. Mature Adults are coming together to enjoy a lifestyle free of tricycles and baby strollers on their sidewalks, but aren't beyond forming Harley-Davidson clubs and improving their tennis games.

Another phenomenon is the amount of money mature adults will spend on amenities in active adult communities. Now is the time they may feel secure financially enough to order those gleaming polished granite kitchen countertops, top-grade carpeting and "surround sound" entertainment systems. I think this population is the fastest growing computer-literate group and require high-tech wiring in their homes. Indeed, "tech centers" with high speed modems and structured wiring are a common request in the active adult home. Requested is more natural light, using transoms and skylights, front and back covered patio and porch areas, and the creation of intimate entertaining space, both indoors and out. These are a few of the options not easily found in traditional new home designs. With a focus on the abundance of well-earned free time, the 55-plus set may now have the luxury of entertaining friends and family, making options such as these even more attractive. The "Great room" concepts are especially popular, with the elimination of the underused formal living room area. A formal dining room is still incorporated into the list of popular floor plan designs, however, used for increasingly cherished family holidays.

For those of us in our forties and early fifties, the thought of living within what used to be considered a "retirement" community" may still send thoughts of denial up and down our spines. The truth is, now the average newcomer is in their late fifties and early sixties, with the trend getting younger every year. Why would such "young folk" choose these neighborhoods? Some want all the amenities a resort has to offer, others just want to have fun and enjoy the spoils of their labors on the golf course, lounging around the pool, getting together with people at the same blissful stage in life, or do some traveling around the world. Read more on Angie's Active Adult and 55 plus Communities website www.Carolina55andbetter.com