---
title: "Looking Up: Trends in the 55+ Housing Market"
description: The housing market for retirees and empty-nesters is looking up, and Nocatee offers 55+ buyers a wide variety of new home choices.
---

[Blog | Nocatee ](https://blog.nocatee.com)

# [Looking Up: Trends in the 55+ Housing Market](https://blog.nocatee.com/looking-up-trends-in-the-55-housing-market)

 Written by [Nocatee Community](https://blog.nocatee.com/author/nocatee-community) | 9/19/14 1:00 PM

The housing market for retirees and empty nesters is looking up. In August, the [National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) 55+ Housing Market Index (HMI)](http://eyeonhousing.org/2014/08/builder-confidence-in-the-55-market-again-positive/) reported that the 55+ single-family index increased to its highest level since the index began in 2008. In addition, last quarter was the 11th consecutive quarter of year-over-year improvements. Consumers’ ability to sell their existing homes at favorable prices is only fueling the increase in home sales.

****

**More boomers, more buying power**

The [youngest boomers have begun turning 50 this year](http://www.cnbc.com/id/101326818). And 10,000 more will turn 65 every day until 2030. Talk about buying power. According to the Chairman of the NAHB’s 50+ Housing Council, Steve Bomberger, homebuyers in the 55+ market have high expectations when searching for the home in which to spend their golden years.

As more and more boomers turn 55, builders of homes inside age-restricted communities should keep their preferences in mind.

**In a study titled “Housing Trends Update for the 55+ Market,” the MetLife Mature Market Institute found that:**

- On average, residents of age-restricted communities rated their home a 9 on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the best)
- Primary drivers for moving to an age-restricted community are family/personal reasons and the desire for a higher quality home
- Proximity to work is another popular, although less common, reason for choosing an active adult community, signifying many residents move into active adult communities while still in the workforce
- When choosing a specific 55+ community, proximity to family and friends is a key factor

**It’s no surprise that a single-story residence is a key feature for any homeowner 55+. According to AARP, some of the other [amenities baby boomers want most in their communities](http://blog.aarp.org/2013/01/24/patti-shea-nahb-study-housing-market-baby-boomers/) include: ** 

- [Garden plots](https://blog.nocatee.com/blog/bid/344682/New-Nocatee-Amenities-Part-II-The-Community-Garden)
- Walking/jogging trails
- Parks
- Outdoor pools
- Local drug/convenience store
- Public transportation

**Some of the popular in-home amenities on the wish list are:**

- [Energy-Star rated appliances](https://blog.nocatee.com/the-benefits-of-energy-efficient-new-homes-at-nocatee)
- Dedicated laundry room
- Ceiling fans
- Exterior lighting
- Bathroom linen closet

 Master-planned communities like Nocatee offer 55+ buyers the power of choice. More traditional neighborhoods like [Enclave at Town Center](http://nocatee.com/communities/enclave-at-town-center/) offer slightly smaller homes located within walking distance to shops, while age-restricted communities like [Del Webb Ponte Vedra](http://nocatee.com/communities/del-webb-ponte-vedra/) allow buyers to surround themselves with neighbors in the same stage of life. 

*To learn more about new homes available in Nocatee, visit the Nocatee Welcome Center or call 1-800-NOCATEE.*

[View full post](https://blog.nocatee.com/looking-up-trends-in-the-55-housing-market)

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