Everyone writes about what Millennials want, but we forget that Baby Boomers are still a very large and formidable generational cohort. Boomers have a few distinct preferences when it comes to their home, according to a recent survey by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Boomer homebuyers overwhelmingly preferred to live in the suburbs compared to other age groups. When asked about community features, Boomers wanted to be near shopping. They also had a strong preference to live in a pedestrian-friendly community with trails and a park area. Compared to Millennials, playgrounds and swimming pools are not popular community features for Boomers.
Older buyers prefer a smaller house with high-quality finishes and amenities compared to Millennial homebuyers. Boomers prefer a one-story home, while Millennials prefer two-stories.
Nearly half of older homebuyers consider a full bath on the main level essential, compared to less than a third of younger homebuyers. A significant percentage of older homebuyers do not want a whirlpool tub, skylight or dual toilets in the master bath, while younger buyers do express a greater preference for these features. Specialty rooms, like a media or game room, appeal less to Boomers compared to Millennials.
Although most homebuyers in each generation consider energy efficiency an essential or desirable home feature, this preference increases significantly with age. A majority of Millennials (76 percent) want ENERGY STAR-rated windows in their homes, compared to an overwhelming majority of Boomers (91 percent).
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