10 Feb What Baby Boomers Want (and Don’t Want) In a Home

Some trends come and go – like paint colors or fixture colors and finishes. But, some home preferences have more staying power – like what certain generations are looking for in a dream home. 

We pay close attention to these studies, as they allow our team to be mindful of layouts, features, and amenities when we’re planning and executing new home builds. 

So, today, we wanted to share with you some of the top (and bottom) items from the baby boomers’ list. 

Recently, the National Association of Home Builders surveyed 3,996 home buyers. This pool included those who recently purchased a home within the last three years and those who were thinking about buying a home within the next three years.

And, here’s what the results showed… 

Number one on the list was a laundry room – with 94 percent of respondents saying this was crucial. 

The next few items came in a close second and third. 

• ENERGY STAR Rated Windows – 91 percent said this was an essential feature
• ENERGY STAR rated appliances – 89 percent said this was an essential feature

While the baby boomer generation’s needs and wants didn’t deviate much from the needs and wants of the broader home buyer pool, there was one interesting discovery – baby boomers know what they want and aren’t afraid to say it and also have a much greater interest in having a full bath on the main floor. 

Now, let’s look at what this important group of folks doesn’t want in a home. These are items that would deter them completely from purchasing a home with these features. 

• Elevator – 74 percent said this was an undesirable feature
• Wine cellar – 69 percent said this was an undesirable feature
• Two-story family room – 59 percent said this was an undesirable feature

From an area perspective, 72 percent of baby boomers said that it was essential to be near retail space. Being close to walking or running trails came in a close second, with 66 percent of respondents saying this was essential in their home buying decision. 

At Dahl Custom Homes, our goal is to ensure we couple form and function to develop homes that our clients love!  

If you are interested in building a custom home in Marion, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City or have questions about our services, please get in touch. It would be our absolute pleasure to assist you! 

Please feel free to share!