If the area’s baby boomers are echoing national demographics, they are either already enjoying retirement or are preparing for it. But for soon-to-be seniors, that word retirement has taken on some new connotations. Today’s seniors may be headed to a retirement with some major differences.

Taken as a whole, boomers remain a markedly active group — one less likely to consider a 65^th birthday the end marker for their working life. Yet for those buying a home in Evansville that will make their senior years as comfortable as possible, their choices are bound to differ greatly from those they’ve made in years past. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the 76-million-strong boomer generation is already registering some new preferences:

• Home offices

Semi-retired is the new retired. Instead of giving up on work completely, many retirement-age homeowners choose to start small home-based businesses to supplement their income (or follow up on their passions). The home office is also a fine command center for researching vacation ideas, running household affairs — or whipping up the next Great American Novel.

• Large windows

Big windows and superior lighting not only bring home a cheery look, but that light makes everything easier to see and navigate around. Accidental fall prevention may not be the top priority for a member of the 55-plus group who’s buying a home in Evansville, but if the health statistics are correct, it ought to be a major consideration.

• Wide hallways and doors

Chances are increasingly good that a typical boomer will live a long time, but that also means arthritis and age will come into the picture, as well. Buying a home with wider doorways and halls mean buying a home that’s potentially wheelchair-friendly!

• Unified technology

Future retirees have an increasingly sophisticated relationship with technology, so in addition to Internet access, remote-controlled lighting and alarm systems are becoming more commonplace.

Whether or not you are approaching retirement, when you set about buying a home in Evansville, it’s my job to help you find one that will fit your needs for the long term. Contact me today! You can reach me on my cell phone 812-499-9234 or by email Rolando@RolandoTrentini.com

Baby boomers who make more than $100,000 a year are the most likely to say they plan to buy a new home during retirement. For boomers who plan to purchase a new home, the most important factors cited in a home for retirement included:

• Smaller home (40%)
• Near medical offices or hospitals (39%)
• Different climate--perhaps warmer (30%)
• More affordable home (25%)
• Being closer to family (15%)

About 10 percent of baby boomers said they will search for a new city to relocate to that offers more services for them in retirement. Only 8 percent of baby boomers surveyed say they want a larger home for retirement, the poll finds.

However, more baby boomers say they don’t have any plans to move after they retire, mostly due to a drop in their home values as well as a drop in their personal investments and retirement plans the last few years, the poll finds. About 53 percent of baby boomers polled say they plan to delay retirement until they recoup some of their investment losses. In the poll, only 9 percent of the baby boomers expect they’ll be able to live comfortably in retirement.

Source: “Many Boomers in Poll say They Won't Move for Retirement; Those who will Seek Affordability,” The Associated Press (Oct. 26, 2011)

• Don’t miss out on the $6,500 move-up tax credit.
• Consider a short-distance move if it provides savings and convenience.
• Anyone moving out of state should figure the tax consequences in their new location.
• Consider a property that offers features allowing Boomers to age gracefully.
• Think about sharing space with a younger (or older) family member.
• Insist on good security in the new property.
• Look for homes that don’t require a lot of maintenance.
• Go green. It will pay off down the road.