Floorplans are one of the most important aspects for homeowners and often the driving factor when making a decision about what kind of home to buy or build. The 55-plus population is still active and often retirement is delayed. Convenience and maintenance-free living are attractive amenities after years of raising children. Floorplans that include aging in place are also a key feature for many in this “still-active but eyeing the future” group.
Many in this group are downsizing and reducing their footprint from 3,000, 5,000, 8,000, or more square feet to smaller, more modern and exciting homes with two bedrooms instead of three, or three bedrooms instead of six. Flex space is another key component with bedrooms being converted to home offices or other uses. To meet these changing needs, homebuilders are offering more styles, options, designs, and floorplans than ever before with an eye on the changing needs of the 55-plus demographic.
Andrew Dreyfuss, Nova Triad Homes, points out that low maintenance homes with HOAs for handling landscaping is a big draw for 55-plus homeowners. “Our floorplans have optimized square footage on the main level perfect for retired homeowners,” says Dreyfuss. “Our customers also want oversized patios, single level living and flex space (rooms that can be either a den, a home office, or something else entirely.”
“We do not have age restrictions but our homes are not designed for families with small children,” he continues. “Our communities draw in retirees who like to live near other retirees. It provides an immediate sense of community and group of friends, which is helpful for homeowners new to the Triad. Dreyfuss makes the argument for new construction versus an older home “it is simple,” he says. “A new home is one that this age group ‘deserves’ and they want one that is new to avoid maintenance such as older roofs. Many people expect to age in place so they want to have the home that they need and have always wanted.”
Nova Triad Homes builds award-winning Epcon floorplans, which are renowned for their livability, private courtyards, and shear elegance of design.
Eastwood Homes serves communities throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. The Enclave at Hidden Lakes is 55-plus gated HOA community on the banks of Hidden Lake near the town of Wake Forest. “The community has a lakefront amenity center with outdoor pool, pickle ball court, dock, fitness center, card room, and large activity space,” added Kirsten Dunton, New Home Specialist.
The Enclave at Hidden Lake offers residents over the age of 55 a unique opportunity for maintenance-free living in a gated, intimate enclave of homes, nestled along the banks of the 75-acre lake at the heart of Hidden Lake. Homes offer first-floor living with options for sunrooms, flex spaces, offices, and more. Six floorplans offer one and two-story options with square footage from 1,732 up to 2,162.
Eastwood Homes’ Enclave at Hidden Lakes has an over-the-top amenity package to complement their thoughtfully crafted floorplan designs.
D.R. Horton is the largest home construction company in the U.S. Their Freedom Series offers low-maintenance active-adult living communities with new homes that are designed for those 55 and over.
Quarry Hills – Freedom Series offers new construction homes in Swepsonville. Quarry Hills is an Active Adult community designed for ease of living for those 55 and over. This single-family home community features ranch style homes up to 1,883 square feet with three ranch style floorplans (two- three bedrooms, 2 baths and two-car garages).
The single-level models are specially designed with the 55+ crowd in mind. The homes are low-maintenance with all exterior maintenance taken care of by the HOA, freeing homeowners to spend their time living life
D.R. Horton also has a series of plans called the Cali that it builds in a number of their communities that are not 55+ designated communities but are neighborhoods that provide a variety of floorplans and styles creating a blend of homebuyer demographics from young professionals to families to empty nesters. The Cali Plan particularly appeals to the latter demographic. The Cali Plan has numerous variations and was developed after a great deal of market research to determine buyers’ wants and needs.
D.R. Horton is the largest home builder in America, and they have harnessed that power to develop floorplans that offer ease of living at exceptional price points.
Renting Luxury
For many in the 55-plus group, renting is the way to go.
The Retreat at Fuquay-Varina and The Retreat at 68. The name “Retreat” is no accident – these properties make you feel like you’re living in a resort. “The 55 & older group is our ideal demographic,” said Alix Horton with Berkley Hall Management. “Not only are they wonderful residents, they tend to stay for a long time,” she said with a smile. “They are often empty nesters that are downsizing from larger homes and relocating to be closer to family.”
At both Retreat Communities, 2-bedroom, 2-bath floorplans are the most popular with this demographic. The second bedroom is often used as an office, den, or guest bedroom. This plan fits the budget, it has an open-concept, and there is much less upkeep. Folks move to these communities intentionally because they want maintenance-free living with no repairs or costs associated with the upkeep of a traditional home.
The Retreat properties, The Retreat at Fuquay-Varina and The Retreat at 68, are popular with retirees due to their wonderful amenities included (5-days a week trash pick up, pest control, high-speed Internet, on-site 24-hr. fitness center) which make the price even more attractive. Their design features that are most popular are the open-concept floorplans, chef-inspired kitchens, and tons of available storage space.
“This demographic has already owned homes and want to be ‘mortgage free’,” said Alix Horton. “They’re not at the point that a retirement community is in their sights, so we build these properties that allow them to live the life they want. I think the 55-plus group is an untapped market.” The Retreat at 68 is adding a second phase starting in late summer, with convenient elevator access.
The Retreat at Sixty-Eight and The Retreat at Fuquay-Varina, as the name implies, offer a retreat to luxury, with amenity packages that create a resort lifestyle and a very hip vibe that permeates the community.
BSC Holdings rental communities further demonstrate that the rental world is not what it used to be, as today’s rental communities are elevated to resort-style living. One to three bedrooms are available, multiple square footage options, and modern design features with updated flooring and appliances make these wonderful and modern spaces feel like home. “We have unique features and multiple floorplans with a variety of options that make these communities desirable for the 55-plus group,” said Amanda Williams, “and, all our communities are pet friendly.”
BSC Holdings’ rental communities elevate the rental model to great new heights with exceptional new homes surrounded by a bevy of resort-style amenities.