Single-level living tops among empty-nesters
Now that the kids have grown up, packed up their belongings and flown the coop -- what are their empty-nester parents looking for in a new home?
According to several Chicago-area homebuilders, the answer is single-level living.
"Boomers are seeing their housing needs change as they reach retirement age and their kids move away, so builders are certainly paying close attention to what this group wants in a home," said Jack Wexelberg, regional president of Rolling Meadows-based Kimball Hill Homes. "One thing they nearly universally find appealing is the convenience of single-level living. So, builders are offering ranch options in a variety of housing styles, including townhouses, villas and single-family homes."
Wexelberg cited several single-level designs at the Country Townes at Legend Lakes, a master-planned community of 674 homes in McHenry. Some of the builder's most popular floor plans are those for the 50-plus age group.
One ranch option is the 1,156-square-foot Silverchase, a first-floor plan with two bedrooms, two baths and an attached two-car garage. It is base-priced from $158,990.
"Although it is a townhouse plan, the Silverchase is a true ranch with a first-floor entry. It lets buyers completely eliminate daily stair use," said Wexelberg.
Those who want additional bedroom space can choose the Nightingale, a second-floor ranch plan with three bedrooms and two baths. The 1,567-square-foot home gives downsizers space for a guest room to accommodate visiting family, as well as a hobby room or home office.
"There is one flight of stairs in this plan, but only when you enter and leave. Once inside, it's single-level living with a bit more square footage than the first-floor ranch," Wexelberg said.
It is base-priced from $166,990.
Also offering a second-floor ranch option is Lennar's Bridgeview Place in Bridgeview. According to Leigh Nevers, vice president of marketing for Lennar's Chicago region, the builder's raised-ranch villas have private ground-floor entries that lead to second-floor living areas, which gives buyers extra privacy as well as open sight lines to the surrounding scenery.
"With our raised-ranch villas, buyers still do most of their day-to-day living on one level," said Nevers. "But since the living space is on the upper level, residents won't be disrupted by neighbors coming and going. Plus, they have a deck off the living room or great room, where they can enjoy great views of the community."
Currently, Bridgeview Place offers one raised-ranch villa plan -- the Sterling, a 1,429-square-foot home priced at $190,990. The two-bedroom, two-bath home has open layout with the eat-in kitchen separated from the living room by a half wall.
The other villa is the Hartford, a true ranch home that offers 1,244 square feet, two bedrooms, two baths and an attached one-car garage. It is priced at $199,990.
Other ranch housing options combine single-level living with space for a family. For example, buyers at The Ponds of Bull Valley in Woodstock can choose the Augusta, a 1,734-square-foot single-family ranch home base-priced from the $260,000s.
"Not all empty nesters' 'nests' are completely empty yet. They may still have teenagers or college students who come home during the holidays and summer," said Naomi Murphy, director of sales and marketing for Deer Point Homes. "For them, the Augusta has features that appeal to their current family status as well as their future one."
The Augusta has three bedrooms and two baths, as well as separate living and dining areas, a den, and a family room open to an adjacent eat-in kitchen. The home also features a split three-car garage, which is an attached two-car garage adjacent to an attached one-car bay set to one side of the home.
"Families with teenagers who drive have room for a third car, but the extra bay also gives retirees space for a work shop or hobby area," she said.
Additionally, the Augusta includes a partial basement, which offers storage space for downsizers or empty nesters storing belongings for adult children. Select golf-course lots are also available.
For more information on the Country Townes, call (815) 578-1529 or visit www.KimballHillHomes.com; for Bridgeview Place, call (888) 50-LENNAR, ext. 603 or visit www.Lennar.com; for Ponds of Bull Valley, call (815) 337-1410 or visit www.DeerPointHomes.com.