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Homebuilder & Industry News

New Del Webb Community Coming to Durham, NC

by Susan Quilty on March 3, 2012

Active adults in North Carolina’s popular Triangle area will soon have another great new retirement destination. Carolina Arbors is a brand new Del Webb 55+ community which will offer resort-style amenities along with low-maintenance, ranch-style townhomes and single-family homes. The community will have its grand opening later this year, but news is already spreading about its exciting development plans.

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When choosing an active adult community, homebuyers invest in a lifestyle as much as a new home. They want to find a welcoming environment where they will be able to find new friends and explore new (or renewed) interests. Active adult community builders understand this need and do their best to meet it by providing many attractive and useful social spaces.

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Why Builders Make You Pay Extra for Options

by Bill Ness on February 13, 2012

While shopping for new construction homes, many homebuyers complain about the all the extra costs. The base price of a home might be in their price range, but just a few optional upgrades could push the final cost right out of reach. Why do builders start with one price and make you pay extra for all the options?

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Meet America’s Top Active Adult Builders

by Danny Goodman on February 6, 2012

With the growing popularity of active adult living, many builders have begun developing age-restricted communities. Yet when homebuyers start their search, they are likely to notice that there are a few builders whose names come up again and again. Two of these top brands are public, three are family owned and they all have been successful homebuilders for several decades.

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After 55+ communities first hit the scene in the 1960s, the trend often seemed to be based on the notion that bigger is better. These early resort-style communities paved the way for sprawling developments with well over 5,000, or even 10,000 residences. The last decade or so has shown more intimate age-restricted communities springing up all over the country.

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When searching for their ideal retirement homes, active adults can choose from many different home styles. Some popular options include condos, townhomes, attached villas and single-family homes. Retirees who decide to relocate to a community with manufactured homes may also have the option of leasing the land instead of buying their own lot.

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When it Comes to Home Sites, Does Size Matter?

by Bill Ness on November 11, 2011

When it’s time to retire, many active adults want to downsize. A smaller home is easier to maintain and that means more time to enjoy life. But does downsizing the family home have to mean giving up a spacious yard? And does the size of your home site even matter?

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As a semi-tropical peninsula, Florida is often recognized for its beautiful beaches. However, Florida’s central region should not be overlooked by relocating retirees. This popular area offers scenic beauty with numerous lakes and sprawling golf courses. The Orlando area is also home to many exciting attractions such as theme parks, shopping centers and diverse restaurants.

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Sun City Mesquite Unveils 3 New Affordable Models

by Susan Quilty on October 6, 2011

Situated just 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada’s city of Mesquite is a beautiful area which has become even more popular with active adult retirees since Del Webb opened Sun City Mesquite in 2007. This luxurious community features many resort-style amenities, including a world-class golf course and a spacious clubhouse.

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Del Webb Proposes New Community in Durham, NC

by Bill Ness on August 29, 2011

The Durham News recently reported that PulteGroup has won City Council approval for a new active adult community in Durham County. While the plans are in their early stages, the new Del Webb community has been zoned for 1,314 units. This is great news for active adults in North Carolina’s Raleigh-Durham area, and another step in the right direction for the recovering housing market.

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What Happened to All the Included Features?

by Susan Quilty on July 4, 2011

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.

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Buy Now, Build Later

by Susan Quilty on May 30, 2011

Many soon-to-be retirees are watching the home prices in our current buyers’ market and wishing that they were just a bit closer to buying their next dream home. However, homebuyers don’t necessarily have to be ready to move the moment they start the home buying process.

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For most homebuyers, “community” is the most desirable part of active adult communities. Social clubs, classes, events and amenities are strong selling points, and that often means choosing a community with a large central clubhouse. However, several developers are taking the clubhouse concept one step further with the evolution of community town centers.

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Does Your Retirement Home Need a Basement?

by Susan Quilty on May 4, 2011

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.

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New Beginnings in Bankrupt Levitt & Sons Communities

by Susan Quilty on February 25, 2011

In November of 2007, Levitt & Sons filed for bankruptcy. This action devastated the plans of many active adults who were in the process of building or purchasing homes. Many would-be homebuyers lost large sums of money. Those who had already sold their previous homes suddenly found themselves stranded without a new home. The situation also left many current residents without their promised amenities, and uncertain about the future of their fledgling communities.

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