Thousands of baby boomers call Greater Chattanooga their home, and a recent survey from the National Association of Home Builders shows this group has a few distinct preferences when it comes to home location and features.
The survey asked first-time buyers and existing homeowners across different age groups to rank features based on how essential they are to a home-purchasing decision.
Boomer homebuyers overwhelmingly preferred to live in the suburbs compared to other age groups. When asked about community features, boomers want to be near retail space. They also had a strong preference to live in a pedestrian-friendly community with walking trails and a park.
Compared to millennials, playgrounds and swimming pools are not popular community features for boomers.
The survey revealed different preferences for home size across age groups. Older buyers preferred a smaller house with high-quality products and amenities compared to millennial homebuyers. Only a few older homebuyers in the survey preferred a home with more than one story, compared to a majority of younger homebuyers.
There also were striking differences between age groups when asked about bath and specialty rooms. 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 boomers did not want a whirlpool tub, skylight or dual toilets in the master bath, compared to younger homebuyers. Specialty rooms associated with entertainment, such as 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%) want Energy Star-rated windows in their homes, compared to an overwhelming majority of boomers (91%).
Ready to build, buy or renovate your home incorporating all your favorite features? Visit the online membership directory of the Home Builders Association of Greater Chattanooga at HBAGC.net.