All Boomers want to live in a new age-restricted, Active Adult Community (AAC), with a huge clubhouse, an Activities Director, etc. – NOT!

If you listen to the big builders at an NAHB Conference or the 50+ Housing Council, that’s what they will tell you. They have done the research, they say, and they are building new communities designed to meet the Baby Boomers’ every want and need. They are spending millions on advertising and marketing to this large group of prospective home buyers. As a result, many Boomers start their search for a retirement home thinking that is probably what they should be looking at. Is that what they will end up buying? Not always.

Many relocating Boomers do prefer a new home and there are lots of good options throughout the Coastal Region. Last week, I was working with buyer clients from New Jersey who are primarily interested in an Active Adult Community with all the bells and whistles – they want a new house and they want exterior maintenance included in the HOA fee. A clubhouse, pool and other community activities will make it easy to make friends. This couple is typical of a large segment of the new buyers coming to Coastal Delaware.

My friend Walt asked me – “Kathy”, he said, “why do people want to live in these new communities?” He was really perplexed. He grew up around here, and to him, it made no sense when you could go into Lewes or Milton, Rehoboth Beach or Bethany and buy some wonderful homes there. I told him what one of my clients had shared with me. “We have moved many times when my husband was transferred, and I always felt like the odd-person out,” she explained. “This time, I want to be in a new community where everyone else is new in town also!” That made sense to me since I too have been moved around a lot in previous careers.

But not every Baby Boomer wants to live in an Active Adult Community (AAC); others do want the amenities but not necessarily the age restriction. In fact I came across results of an annual survey that Del Webb had conducted between 1996 and 2004, and it concluded that –
• 55% of Boomers would move when they retire
• 26% of Baby Boomers said they would consider purchasing a home in an age-qualified AAC; 51% weren’t sure; and 24% said absolutely not
• 22% of those considering an AAC wanted a multi-generational development; Boomers are more than twice as likely as older generations to prefer no age-restriction
 
Finally a lot of Boomers considering a move to Coastal Delaware agree with my friend Walt. They are attracted to our beach towns or Historic Districts and prefer an older home with some character and charm. In fact, I began writing this article while I was holding an Open House in Milton’s Historic District on Sunday. The first couple to arrive was from Maryland. Both were leading-edge Baby Boomers beginning to think about where and how they wanted to live when they retire. They love older historic homes – they have renovated several over the years and they like the idea of living right in town once they retire. I am also working with another couple, not yet retired, that is buying a historic home in-town Lewes. For the next few years they will use their Lewes home as a weekend getaway and vacation home; over time it will become their primary residence.

Remember, not all Boomers will move when they retire and even those that do may only move within their immediate vicinity to stay close to family and friends. In the Mid-Atlantic Region, more Boomers seem willing to relocate to get away from the high taxes that surround us. Buying a home at the Delaware Beach instead of the Jersey Shore could save as much as $20,000 a year in property taxes alone. Add that to “No Sales Tax” and the total savings can equate to another whole pension!

Whether it’s a new home or an older home, in a community or in town, there are some common threads that we have observed. There are certain things that every Baby Boomer looking at homes seems to agree on. Next week we’ll talk about what to do if your home is For Sale to appeal to the Boomer Buyers.

Kathy and Bill (www.KathyandBill.com) are Realtors with RE/MAX Realty Group in Lewes, DE.
Kathy Sperl-Bell was born in New York, raised in New Jersey and lived in many parts of the country before adopting Delaware in 2000.
Bill Bell was born in DC, lived in Baltimore and moved to Delaware as a young child growing up in Newark. Kathy and Bill met at the 2000 Jazz Festival in Rehoboth Beach, married and moved to Coastal Delaware in 2003.
In addition to real estate, they also own Gotcha Covered!, (www.GotchaCoveredDe.com) a full service remodeling company, specializing in Universal Design and Green Building. Together they specialize in working with Boomers & Beyond at the Beach … in Delaware.

The Rehoboth Gallery Collective, MOSAIC, hosts “Second Saturdays: Destination Art” Walk, September 12th from 6 to 9 pm

This month MOSAIC is exhibiting the work of Delaware by Hand artists. Delaware by Hand is a non-profit organization which fosters the creation of a formalized, resident-based artist and artisan industry in Delaware. For more information visit Delaware By Hand.

•    AerieArt Gallery – Specializing in fine original paintings from the 19th and early 20th Centuries, along with offerings by local artists. Featuring Delaware By Hand artist, woodturner Tom Frey.  Both locations are open weekends and by appointment. First Street Station, second level, 70 Rehoboth Ave.,227-4776, and 45-1/2 Lake Ave., 227-5376.

•    Amandeline Gallery – Exhibiting the versatile work of Wilmington sculptor Charles Allmond. Through his bronze and alabaster animal sculptures Charles evokes emotions such as growth, renewal and love. Marvel at the simple yet stunning beauty of these works. 403 Rehoboth Ave., 226-0330. 

•    Detail Gallery -  Highlighting Delaware by Hand artist John Donato. John is inspired by animals, bright colors and making people smile. In each work he embodies the universal emotion of joy; every painting is a moment frozen in time within the lives of animals we often take for granted. The art truly sums up the feelings of Mirabelle and Detail Gallery toward animals. 54 Baltimore Ave., 227-8170. 

•    Gallery 50 -  Presenting South Carolina artist Pat Whitehead, known for her nature-based abstractions in oil; show runs from Sept.11th – Oct. 7th. The gallery will also preview work by Delaware by Hand artist Constance Costigan of Lewes. Costigan, who works in layered graphite pencil, has works in the permanent collections of both the Hirshorn Museum and The Phillips Collection in Washington D.C.  An artist’s reception for Whitehead and Costigan will take place during the art walk on from 6 -9 pm. 50-A Wilmington Ave., 227-2050.

•    Kennedy Gallery -  Hosts Delaware By Hand glass artist, Connie Ballato. Connie is a well known, Lewes-based artist who designs beautiful, stained and fused glass art. Come visit with Connie on Saturday, September 12th, from 5 to 8 pm. 140 Rehoboth Ave., 227-3903.

•    Panache Gallery -  Showcasing the work of award-winning glass designer Deb Appleby. Deb is the current Board President of Delaware By Hand. A collection of her latest one-of-a-kind functional pieces will be on display. Her work in fluid glass is inspired by the environment and designed to accentuate nature’s harmony.  Please join us for a reception with the artist during the art walk from 6 to 9 pm.    129-B Rehoboth Ave., 227-9229. 

•    Philip Morton Gallery -  Featuring the members of Delaware-based “Artists’ Exchange,”  including Julie Baxendell, Laura Hickman, Marti Marino, Lee Wayne Mills, Aina Nergaard-Nammack, Peggy Sampogna and Barbara Warden.  Many original works in a variety of mediums.  Opening Reception September 11th from 5 to 8 pm.  Show runs through September 24th.  47 Baltimore Ave., 727-0905.

•    Ward Ellinger Gallery – Announcing the addition of works by Maria Napoli and Sondra N. Arkin. Please join us during the art walk to see the innovative works of our featured artists, Judy and Lou Hagen, who recycle old metals into whimsical and unique sculptures to liven any home or garden.  Also featuring new works of Abstract Expressionism in different mediums by local artist Ward Ellinger. Open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday. 39 Baltimore Ave., CAMP Rehoboth Courtyard, 227-2710. 

Mosaic was founded in 2008 to promote a heightened awareness of the emerging Rehoboth Beach art scene. The goal: promote art, unite galleries, and support artists. The group hosts a free art walk in downtown Rehoboth Beach every second Saturday of the month. Visit www.mosaicrehoboth.com for more information.