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	<title>55Places.com Blog &#187; Home Design</title>
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	<description>Find 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities</description>
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		<title>The Pros and Cons of Condo Living</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/pros-and-cons-condo-living</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/pros-and-cons-condo-living#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 07 Oct 2011 14:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bill Ness</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lists]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[While active adult communities commonly feature single-family homes or attached villas, some developers also include the option of apartment-style condominiums. Designed as mid-rise or high-rise buildings, with features like elevators and underground parking, these thoughtfully-designed condos provide benefits which appeal to many active adults. Yet, condos in age-restricted communities also come with some drawbacks. ]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
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		<title>If a Man Designed the Perfect Home, It Would Include&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/if-a-man-designed-the-perfect-home-it-would-include</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/if-a-man-designed-the-perfect-home-it-would-include#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Sep 2011 14:00:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Bill Ness</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lists]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[A few weeks ago we did a post on "If A Woman Designed the Perfect Home, It Would Include..." We got an overwhelming response from our female readers, and even had some great comments about other attractions our aspiring female architects would put in their ideal retirement homes. Well, men, it is your turn. What home features do you want most?]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
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		<title>Take Down These Walls!</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/take-down-these-walls</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/take-down-these-walls#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2011 14:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Homebuyers who are venturing into the housing market after years in their traditional family homes may be surprised to discover the popularity of open floor plans. This is particularly true in active adult communities where there are many benefits to offering homes with these open, flowing designs.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>What Happened to All the Included Features?</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/what-happened-to-all-the-included-features</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/what-happened-to-all-the-included-features#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Jul 2011 14:00:17 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Homebuilder & Industry News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.55places.com/blog/what-happened-to-all-the-included-features</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[During the height of the real estate boom, it was not unusual to find active adult communities advertising a wide range of high-end features which would be included as part of their new homes’ standard pricing. However, the market has changed and many communities appear to be switching back to their previous “everything is an option” mentality.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Importance of Outdoor Living Space in Your Retirement Home</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/the-importance-of-outdoor-living-space-your-retirement-home</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/the-importance-of-outdoor-living-space-your-retirement-home#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2011 14:00:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Retirees often relocate to areas that have beautiful climates with sunny summers and mild winters. This saves them from the drudgery of shoveling snow, and offers ample opportunities to pursue outdoor activities. To make the most of this fabulous weather, retirees are developing their outdoor living space in creative new ways.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Does Your Retirement Home Need a Basement?</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/does-your-retirement-home-need-a-basement</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/does-your-retirement-home-need-a-basement#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 04 May 2011 14:00:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Homebuilder & Industry News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.55places.com/blog/does-your-retirement-home-need-a-basement</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Homebuyers who are accustomed to having a basement may be afraid that they won’t be able to get used to living in a home without this extra underground space. Yet when building a basement can potentially add $20,000 to $40,000 to the total home price, it is certainly an option that is worth careful consideration.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Goodbye Living Room, Hello Great Room</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/goodbye-living-room-hello-great-room</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/goodbye-living-room-hello-great-room#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:00:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Not that long ago, potential homebuyers expected to view homes with both a formal living room and a more casual family room. Today, retirees may be surprised to see that many newer homes are designed with a larger great room instead of these two separate rooms. This trend is popular with homebuyers of all ages, but it can be particularly useful for active adult retirees.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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		<title>Is Green Building Worth the Cost?</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/is-green-building-worth-the-cost</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/is-green-building-worth-the-cost#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.55places.com/blog/is-green-building-worth-the-cost</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Active adults who are looking to buy a new (or resale) home, are likely to hear builders touting the benefits of green building. While green building practices bring many benefits for both homeowners and the environment, these features often come at a higher price. But are these benefits worth the high price tag?]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>Designing a Home to &#8220;Age in Place&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/designing-a-home-to-age-in-place</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/designing-a-home-to-age-in-place#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:00:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.55places.com/blog/designing-a-home-to-age-in-place</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Many retirees or empty nesters move into active adult communities for their active, yet low-maintenance lifestyles. They like the idea of living in a thriving community of their peers and frequently plan to stay in the community for many years to come. However, there is more to making a plan to age in place than simply buying a ranch-style home.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
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		<title>The Rise of the Loft in 55+ Communities</title>
		<link>http://www.55places.com/blog/the-rise-of-the-loft-in-55-communities</link>
		<comments>http://www.55places.com/blog/the-rise-of-the-loft-in-55-communities#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan Quilty</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Home Design]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trends]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.55places.com/blog/the-rise-of-the-loft-in-55-communities</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Low-maintenance homes are often a key selling point in 55+ communities. By choosing low-maintenance, single-story homes, active adults free up more of their time to enjoy social activities and recreations. One level living is also easier on the body, since homeowners are saved the hassle of running up and down stairs daily. Yet, despite the demand for ranch homes, second-story lofts have been gaining popularity in active adult communities.]]></description>
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		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
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