Jane Nicoletti

Americans age 55+ are looking for homes close to family, work, and with a sense of style.

What does the 55+ crowd want in a home? Smaller, more energy-efficient homes in active, vital communities near work and family are the top requirements. Those are the findings from a study by MetLife and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) called “Housing for the 55+ Market: Trends and Insights on Boomers and Beyond.”

The study reveals that Boomers are looking for smaller, less expensive homes. This group isn’t ready to retire anytime soon, and with the Great Recession complicating things, they are staying in their jobs as long as possible to recoup financial losses.

The lure of “age-restricted” communities is there too, but only those that fit into the active lifestyle. These people aren’t ready for the rocking chair. The study notes that “those who moved from their existing homes did so primarily for reasons relating to their families, but the design and quality of the home, as well as the design and layout were the factors most often considered.”

Dave Crowe, NAHB’s chief economist agrees. “ A strong and growing number of retirees and empty-nesters are interested in either downsizing or moving to a more user-friendly home, especially if it’s near their existing community.”

Homebuilders are beginning to recognize what boomers want and incorporate that lifestyle in home design. In addition to a smaller home, a one level floor plan is preferable with open space and tall ceilings. Wider hallways are a plus, as is minimizing unnecessary staircases. Over 55ers want small luxuries, like double sinks and a soaking Jacuzzi-style tub, plus some space for hobbies.

Boomers, 38.9 million over the age of 65, are well-traveled, sophisticated consumers who have a good sense of what they want. And for housing, they want simplification that will enhance their lifestyles.

Senior Living in St. Charles

Written by Myra Vandersall

Affordable, reasonably priced homes are waiting for new buyers

Thursday, June 10

Debunk the Myths of Aging
Kathryn Linnemann Branch Library
10-11:30 a.m.
Enjoy a lively discussion about the myths of aging, how they shape society and our own attitudes. Exchange ideas on problems created by these myths and strategies to overcome them. Presented by Barnes-Jewish St. Peters.
FREE

Saturday, June 12
Passport to St. Charles County Parks Walk
Bangert Island Park Trailhead
9 a.m.
County Parks staff will guide participants through the Louis H. Bangert Memorial Wildlife Area to learn about riverside ecosystems and birding opportunities. Wear comfortable shoes and bring insect repellent.
FREE

Tuesday, June 15
Medication Matters
Middendorf-Kredell Library Branch
10-11:30 a.m.
Learn about medication management, how to read labels, drug interactions, and foods to avoid or include when taking medication to get the most benefit possible. Presented by Progress West. Call 636-344-2273 to register.
FREE

Saturday, June 19-Sunday, June 20
The Great Rivers Towboat Festival
Grafton, Illinois
10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and noon-5 p.m. on Sunday
Catch a rare glimpse inside the giant towboats that travel our great rivers and can transport a barge cargo of 1,500 tons with 10,000 horsepower. Enjoy classic folk, bluegrass and Americana music, children’s activities and model boat exhibits by the St. Louis Admirals Club. Chef Ralph Smith will demonstrate how to properly eat crawfish and shrimp, plus barbeque. More than 70 vendors selling wares from antiques to old-fashioned junk. For more information, check out the Towboat Festival website or call 618-786-3494.

Thursday, June 17-Saturday, June 19
Friday, June 25 and Saturday, June 26 at 6:30pm
Sunday, June 27 at 2 p.m.
A Midsummer’s Night Dream presented by the Riverside Shakespeare Company
South end of Frontier Park
Enjoy one of William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies performed by the Riverside Shakespeare Company and supported by the St. Charles Arts and Culture Commission. Bring a picnic basket or try local food and craft vendors. The Monkey Tales Theatre will present Past Imagination at 6:30 p.m. with the Midsummer Night curtain at 7 p.m. For more information, go to the Riverside Shakespeare website.
FREE

Sunday, June 20
Father’s Day KATY Family Bike Ride
KATY Trail from St. Charles to Defiance
11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Communities along the KATY Trail celebrate the 20th anniversary with a Father’s Day ride to benefit prostate cancer research at the Siteman Cancer Center. Food, festivities and a dedication of the newly completed Defiance bicycle loop.
$10 per rider donation, $15 day of ride, children under 12 are free. Register online for the ride, and for many more KATY Trail events, check out the visit the trail website.

Saturday, June 26
The Great American Backyard Campout
First Missouri State Capitol
In conjunction with the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout, the First Missouri State Capitol hosts the campout here. Families may bring tents and activities include a hot dog roast, s’mores, crafts, camp cooking demos, a bonfire and a fireside breakfast. To register and for more information, call 636-940-3322.
$25 per family

Saturday, June 26
Archeology Day
Center for American Archeology, Route 100
Kampsville, IL
10 a.m.-4p.m.
Tour a 2,000-year-old excavation site, learn how to identify artifacts and see a flintknapping demonstration. There’s a kid’s activity area, and special exhibits at the Visitors’ Center and Museum. For more information, call 618-653-4316 or visit the Archeology Day website.
FREE

St. Charles County Real Estate
Written by Myra Vandersall

The $8,000 first-time homebuyer tax credit program has been extended to allow military personnel to take advantage of this home ownership opportunity. The new deadline for qualified service members is April 30, 2011, with the property closed no later than June 30, 2011. The extension also includes the $6,500 tax credit for repeat buyers.

Qualified service members include members of the U.S. military uniformed services, the U.S. Foreign Service and employees of the intelligence community on official extended duty. The top income limits of $125,000 for single tax payers and $225,000 for married taxpayers remains the same, but other requirements have changed to accommodate military personnel. Military buyers will not have to repay the tax credit if geographically reassigned before the three-year residency requirement.

To qualify for the military tax credit:

• An individual must have serviced on extended duty inside or outside the United States for 90 days or more and at least 50 miles from the principle residence and after December 31, 2008 through May 1, 2010.
• Only one spouse must be on official extended duty to be eligible for the 2011 extension, purchase a residence and claim the tax credit.

More than 350,000 military personnel and federal employees may be affected by this extension and will be able to own a home, plus receive the income tax credit. “Congress recognized that many service members may have missed out on the home buyer tax credit due to being posted overseas,” says Bob Jones, National Association of Home Builders chairman. “It’s only fitting that our service members be given another year to take advantage of this opportunity.”

For detailed information on the military first-time homebuyer tax credit extension, go the Internal Revenue’s website.

Written by Myra Vandersall

Enlist a friend to help you simplify your house and eliminate dirt, odors

This spring is shaping up to be a hopeful time for homebuyers and sellers. The Federal Reserve indicates interest rates will stay low for the time being and the Commerce Department reports that new home sales in March were up 27 percent. Still, the best way to sell a home is to have it in the best condition ever and be ready for your REALTOR to show the house on short notice.

A great way to discover buyer turnoffs is to enlist a friend to tour your home as a potential buyer. The first issue you may encounter is:

DIRT–To ready a home for sale, hire a cleaning service to deep clean, including sparkling windows, carpet cleaning, washing the woodwork and give special attention to the kitchen for grease issues and the bathroom for moldy grout. Once the house is thoroughly cleaned you have an easier job of daily surface cleaning. Because your friend doesn’t live here, she can eye dirt that you wouldn’t see every day. To make cleaning easier, take “you” out of the picture.

CLUTTER–Buyers need to see themselves in your property, not you. While it may be difficult for you to depersonalize your home, those personal items detract from the spaciousness and distract buyers with eye clutter. Pack up your pictures, your souvenirs from Disneyworld and that collection of 200 ceramic dogs and let the simplicity flow. Remember, you’ll have your prized possessions back once you sell and move into your next home.

ODORS–Speaking of dogs, not everyone loves canines (or cats) as much as you do. Lingering pet scents make buyers suspicious–how much damage have the cats and dogs made that is not immediately visible. Pet odors can be removed with your initial deep cleaning project, and pet stuff, like bowls, visible bags of food, litter boxes and toys should be gone when a potential buyer tours the house. Keep your home fresh smelling with gently scented candles and refrain from cooking fish, garlic and bacon.

CURB APPEAL–The clutter rule applies here too and fresh is the word. Plant colorful annuals, trim bushes and perennials. Put away gardening tools and all those plastic kids’ riding toys. Sweep your sidewalk regularly and remove excess lawn ornaments.

When you incorporate these tips in your home selling process you’ll reduce your stress, angle for a quick sale and resume your life in a new place.

St. Charles County Real Estate

Written by Myra Vandersall