No outdoor maintenance means 55-plus buyers have more time

After you have cooked dinners five, six or even seven nights a week for 30 years or more, most people don't want to be bothered anymore. Just figuring out what to make is a chore.

The same goes for yard work. It can be fun to plant flowers, but no one I know enjoys cutting the grass, trimming the bushes or edging. In addition, these odious tasks can consume an amazing amount of a homeowner's free time.

So it isn't surprising that builders of 55-plus communities, as well as condominium buildings, report that the search for low or no-maintenance living brings many buyers to their doors.

In fact, Dave Smith, vice president of sales and marketing for Cambridge Homes, said that while everyone has their own needs, those buying in their Carillon age-restricted communities are generally looking for single-level living; reduced home maintenance; and a smaller living space than the large two-story homes they are usually coming from.

"They've 'been there and done that' when it comes to lawn care," added Chris Naatz, Midwest area director of marketing for Pulte Homes/Del Webb. "There are certain parts of outdoor work that they still enjoy, like gardening. But they don't want to be tied to it. They want to be able to lock the house and leave for extended trips and not have to worry about who is going to maintain the yard."

While Sun City Huntley does not include outdoor maintenance in their monthly fees, all of the other Del Webb communities in the Chicago area do include it, Naatz explained.

At The Regency at The Woods of South Barrington, an age-restricted 156-lot community by Toll Brothers, "the only thing homeowners have to maintain is the house itself," according to Chris Nickel, senior project manager.

"Most of our buyers are downsizing from 6,000- to 10,000-square-foot homes and are looking for a ranch home where they don't have to maintain the grounds. For about $365 per month they get lawn service, snow removal, scavenger service, security and all of the many facilities of our clubhouse," Nickel explained.

"Approximately 30 percent of our owners are snowbirds who travel south for the winter and many of the rest are still actively working," he added.

Judy and Brad Von Sydow still work 12- to 14-hour days in their moving company but their children are grown and almost gone so they decided to sell their large Palatine home and downsize to a 2,500-square-foot ranch home at The Regency. They moved in last August.

"We have gotten up to that age," Judy, 66, admitted. "You know when it is time to move and we felt that it would be easier to make the transition now than later.

"Toll Brothers has an awesome reputation out West and we want a gated community," she said. They also liked the fact that their landscaping, sprinkler system and snow removal were all taken care of without them having to do it themselves or even contract with someone.

"And you can personalize your landscaping here, with the approval of the association," Judy added. "I love big blue spruce trees and I had 13 of them planted for privacy. I also planted a rose garden and the landscapers maintain it all."

In fact, Karyn Radek, the property manager at The Woods, regularly walks all of the yards and instructs the landscaper on what needs to be done.

According to Cambridge's Smith, the current economy, combined with the preferences of most Baby Boomers, are causing people to work longer than their parents did.

Unlike the previous generation which worked to support a family, not for enjoyment, Smith said that most Baby Boomers are choosing to work in some form well after they choose to move to a community like Carillon or Sun City.

"So they really appreciate being able to spend their precious free time on fun things instead of lawn maintenance, weeding and snow removal. And if they choose to buy an attached home, even the exterior maintenance on the structure is included," Smith explained.

"But all of our homes are very low-maintenance structures anyway," he added.

Monthly assessments at the Carillon communities range from $137 for a single family home at Cambridge Lakes in Pingree Grove to $206 for a townhouse in Carillon Club in Naperville. Condominium fees are higher, ranging from $391 to $489 per month.

"I have found that many of our buyers don't understand all that is involved in living in a resort community like Carillon," admitted Smith. "It isn't until they actually move in that they realize all of the activities we offer and it really opens their eyes."

And once their time has been freed up, "their dance card is fuller than when they were working," Smith quipped.

Thirty to 40 percent of Carillon homeowners have a second home in Florida, Arizona or The Ozarks where they travel part of the year. There is also a travel club through the association for those who wish to see the world.

While they are in Illinois, they are playing golf, tennis, bridge and many other things.

"There are so many varied interests that it is hard to characterize," he admitted.

"They are doing the things that they were always interested in, but didn't have the time to do. Believe me, they aren't watching television," Smith said.

"At Del Webb, our buyers are spending more time with neighbors and families thanks to the $160 to $180 per month that they pay for snow removal and lawn care," said Naatz. "There is a real sense of community. People are relaxed and they take the time to get to know their neighbors.

"I've had buyers tell me that now they want to spend time doing what they enjoy - like working out at the fitness center," he said. "They spent 30 years cutting the grass and doing things for their kids and now they want to get back to that hobby that they put on hold or they want to try something new."

Judy Von Sydow agreed:

"There is something for everyone at the clubhouse at The Woods. I wish I had more time to spend there. There is a health club, shuffleboard, swimming, a putting green, club, mah johng and next door at the South Barrington Conservatory there are tennis courts and walking trails."

And the on-site manager keeps everyone abreast of what is going on through computer communiqués.

"There is no reason to be alone in a place like this," Von Sydow added.

Age-restricted communities are not, however, the only choice. Bob and Dot Heimlich chose to sell their Palatine home of 52 years and move a scant six blocks to The Heritage of Palatine, a condominium building in downtown Palatine by R. Franczak and Associates.

"Everything at The Heritage is updated, upbeat, up-everything," Dot said. "The people are very friendly. We have met many of them and soon they will start having meetings and get-togethers so we will get even closer to our new neighbors."

The Heimlichs chose to leave their home because "the outside work was getting too difficult for us," Dot admitted. "Since we lived there for 52 years, we are obviously past the age of reason and the last couple of years, even with outdoor help, it was tough. No one ever does the work the way a perfectionist wants it done and my husband is a perfectionist."

Now, instead of worrying about such mundane matters, the Heimlichs flit from bridge games to shopping to visit with their daughter. And Bob Heimlich is thoroughly enjoying tomato gardening on his patio.

The Heritage of Palatine is located within easy walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants and is appealing to those in their 20s up to seniors.