- No Stairs - Single story homes, first-floor master suites and /or personal elevators. As baby boomers age, they'd rather not do stairs .
- Fireplaces - they've always wanted to have one. "It's a reward for their station in life:
- Low maintenance surfaces - such as granite, quartz and Corian.
- Pedestrian friendly communities - with walking trails and amenities conductive to fitness and social interaction in the neighborhood.
- Emphasis on quality and detailing - more than square footage. It's the McMansion theory in reverse. Baby boomers are willing to trade some space for (better) features.
- Flexible floor plans - Rooms and spaces that can adapt to changing needs and circumstances, that are multi-functional, perhaps with sliding doors and movable partitions.
- A keeping room - Living rooms are giving way to great rooms, a keeping room provides and intimate space for families to gather near the kitchen are. "You can put a sofa and a couple of chairs in there and a fireplace.
- Private outdoor space - this could be a deck or patio, "Someone coined the phrase, "Does it pass the smooch test?"
- Accessible storage - Cabinets and shelves placed at heights that can be reached without a stepladder and that have pullouts, lazy susan's and shallow shelving to keep them within easy reach.
- Ample wall space for photo gallery - of all the kids, grandkids, siblings, and parents who may have passed away is helpful.
- Radiant floor heating - Baby boomers may have more health issues like asthma or emphysema. "Forced air becomes problematic - you don't want dust blowing around."
Professional Builder surveyed six experts - architects, home industry trend experts, and real-estate brokers and designers - to get their take on the must-have features for today's home buyers.
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