55+ Age Group Accounts for 20% of New Home Sales

According to a story earlier this year in the Chicago Tribune, people ages 55 or more will account for 20 percent of this country's new home sales. The information comes from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The article points out some other surprising facts. Most people would assume that the 55+ crowd is in a downsizing mode, but the truth of the matter is that often 55+ buyers who make the move into an age-restricted community are actually looking to buy a bigger home and better quality.

Other new home features that are important to buyers in active adult communities include:

* Wide open floor plans
* Many opportunities to customize plans
* Gourmet kitchen options
* Extra space if their children or grandchildren come to visit
* Clubhouses
* Swimming pools (for themselves and to entertain the grandchildren)

And last, but not least, they are looking for a place where they really feel they are part of a community. While the rest of the country might be experiencing a housing downturn, it appears that the active adult community marketplace is going strong. People in this age group have waited a long time to get what they want. More than likely, they aren't going to let temporary housing market vagaries stand in the way of their dreams.