Flickr Creative Commons: Moyan Brenn

Baby boomers are defined as those people who were born between 1946 – 1964. According to PRB, there are about 76.4 million baby boomers. This generation experienced a great amount of social, educational and economic change, which influenced their lifestyle. They prefer to lead active and healthy way of living, and they seem to enjoy different activities from yoga to workouts. Baby boomers are very particular about new products and experiences, so they expect them to be emotionally and spiritually satisfying.

More and more baby boomers are getting closer to the retirement and will be for another decade. It is believed that this generation is not scared to spend money. They are also believed to be the richest age group. Marketers predict that baby boomers will greatly influence future housing market. They are buying resort/second home properties and most still prefer warmer weather locations, and they like to buy vacation homes and rent them out for several years until they retire and move in themselves. As more boomers age, developers and marketers will have to adjust to their needs.

Flickr Creative Commons: Dennis Beentjes

Baby boomers are very particular not just about their lifestyle, but about their homes as well. Some prefer to downsize, some do not, but they all want a home that is easy to maintain and fits their needs.

So what are some features baby boomers are looking for?

Walkable Neighborhoods. Since this generation is all about active and healthy lifestyle, it is important for them to be able to walk to grocery stores, restaurants, coffee places, parks and trails. They also want to stay close to friends and family.

Low Maintenance/Convenience. First-floor masters are now more and more popular among boomers. They are looking for open concept floors with a lot of storage. They prefer newly built homes, and for some, home association responsible for lawn and exterior maintenance is a must.

Luxury Home Amenities. They want granite countertops, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, media rooms, etc. They want a full amenity home but on a smaller scale. They also like to personalize and renovate to add some charm, comfort and style to their new homes.

In-home Office. To keep themselves active and to have a supplementary income, many baby boomers are planning to keep working after they retire. That is why they prefer to have in-home offices for flexibility and, also, to avoid commuting every day.

These are just some of the many general things baby boomers look for in their homes and, of course, individual preferences vary. Either way, this is something for developers and real estate investors to consider in the future.