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Baby Boomers are a |
Here are the top reasons to move after polling many same bracket buyers. Interesting enough, what I found was my thinking was on par with these other boomer buyers.
A change of environment. Weather is a BIG factor in moving. Thus, boomers seek warmer climates. However, many also want a renewal that comes from the excitement of new places to explore. It’s not that the familiar farmer’s markets, wineries, and festivals mean less. It is just energizing, perhaps even enchanting to discover the novelty of elsewhere. It’s enticing to live in a new culture, and become part of that community.
Closer to family. As time progresses, family ties become more important. Particularly when there are children and grandchildren living elsewhere. And they are entrenched in their jobs, established in schools, and not likely to move. This is my situation.
I moved to southern Oregon seeking the sun region. Yet, I did not think living in a next door state was akin to moving to another continent. And this became apparent within short order. The driving distance to visit family and friends is a day each way. Not an easy trek for a weekend visit.
Outrageous real estate taxes are driving seniors from their homes. The home I bought years ago started out at $200/year in King County, WA. Paying real estate taxes were never a concern. That same property today is taxed at $7500 per year! This is not uncommon in many areas nowadays. Boomers have worked their butts off to live a well deserved retirement. We don’t want to worry about keeping our homes. Thus, many look to other states with more reasonable taxation rates.
Not that the reasons above are unusual for any age to move. However, these are dominant reasons that drive boomers to relocate. Now what is not atypical is the attitudes and habits of Boomer Buyers.
Boomers: We do not have to move. We want to.
Boomers are typically comfortable where they currently live. They need to be highly motivated to move. Because of this fact, boomer buyers take their time to buy elsewhere. As well, age and experience makes one get pickier. Therefore, boomers are discerning, discriminating -and intentional in their purchasing decisions.
Lifestyle preference predominate. As a lifelong horse lover I relate to special buying needs. Horse properties, are not like buying a tract home. I searched over a year to find my now home on 5 acres. And then the horse property construction commenced. It was an emotional investment. However, after 9 years the reasons above compel me to sell. I have been scrutinizing northern properties for over 3 years now. Have a few preferences noted. It’s been a slow process sifting through ideal locations.
My close friends looked for over 6 years to find their dream spot. Their special need: to find suitable land for their 20+ llamas. They were on the brink of giving up. Said they decided to remodel their home instead. Then their dream materialized; a true storybook farm tucked way by a creek in a serene spot. And, gorgeous it is!
Often, boomers reveal they want to move as long as it’s not too overwhelming to do so. It’s easier to stay in place knowing the familiar. In other words, the resistance to moving must be less than the perils of staying in the status quo.
I have my home for sale now. It’s been off and on the market for 3 years. (Another blog will cover this adventure.) I have compared moving notes with out of state boomer buyers. Interesting to note, we have parallel stories. We’ve looked for a few years. We’ve finally targeted an area. Now it’s either make the change, or forget about it. And it is unanimous that moving farm animals presents triple concerns for their welfare.
Out of state buying is challenging enough. Add boomer buyers who do not have to move—with discerning preferences and this equals a tougher sale for agents and sellers. As for myself, I will wait for my house to sell first. Then figure it out from there. I trust the universe has a wonderful place picked out for me when that time comes.
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