Dive Brief:
-
Baby boomers are buying more homes in the Washington, DC, region than any other age group, The Washington Post reported Thursday.
-
The newspaper quoted Dan Fulton of John Burns Real Estate Consulting, who said “non-family buyers”—couples age 45 or older with no children living at home—accounted for 23% of home sales in the region. Singles in that age group with no kids at home accounted for 12% of market share.
-
A good share of those buyers are selling homes in the D.C. metropolitan area and moving to other homes in the area—like nearby Bethesda, Md. and Loudoun County—which is an indication that they want different amenities in their houses and neighborhoods, but they don’t want to leave the region.
Dive Insight:
For D.C.-area builders, the prevalence of older homebuyers could mean a change in product design. Area Realtors told The Post that most of their mature clients are looking for single-level, suburban houses and condos that are low maintenance, full of amenities—so they don’t have to spend time or money remodeling—and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and transportation.