Which type are you BOOMER?

There are 6 types…

1. GRAND

These folks prioritize family. Maybe they’ve always put family first. Or, perhaps they had a demanding career that took too much time away from their family. Now they want to lean in the other direction.

Some of these Boomers only want to be physically close to their children and grandchildren so they can enjoy more family get-togethers. Others go a step further, dedicating much of their free time to babysitting their grandchildren and helping shuttle them to various activities.

Their housing preferences may reflect these differences. For example, some Grand Boomers may only need space to host family gatherings. Others may prefer extra bedrooms to accommodate grandchildren sleeping over.

2. ADVENTURE SEEKER

Other Boomers want “me time.” Maybe they were incredibly involved as parents and are ready for new experiences. Or, perhaps they had a demanding career that didn’t allow enough free time to follow their interests.

These Boomers may desire a home that offers a recreational lifestyle. They may want to divide their time between two residences, to enjoy the best weather. Either way, they want to spend as little time as possible on home maintenance activities.

Some Adventure Boomers don’t want to be tied down at all. If they own a home, it should “take care of itself” while they travel. They may prefer renting a place to reduce their responsibilities and stay flexible—or to hit the road full-time in an RV.

3. ENTREPRENEUR

Some Boomers aren’t ready to relax into retirement. Instead, they want to refocus all their energy into

nurturing and growing a new career, a start-up business, a hobby, or a philanthropic initiative.

Their first career may have been corporate, it may have been drawing an hourly wage, or it may have been a full-time stay-at-home parent. In any case, it’s a safe bet that their new gig will be entirely different.

Their home may need to include dedicated home office space, a workshop, or a large garage to accommodate a small business or a studio. They may also be interested in renting commercial property for offices, meeting rooms, storage, or production and creative spaces.

4. TRADITIONAL

Traditionalists love their home and consider it part of their identity, including memories of parenting children. The house may be larger than they need, but the extra space could be handy if the kids come back to visit.

These Boomers may value your help in determining ways to maintain the house as their physical abilities decline. If they decide to move to a smaller home, they’ll probably prefer a single-family residence, like they’ve always had.

If downsizing, they might be interested in a senior oriented “pocket neighborhood,” where they can live in a single-family home among people with similar mindsets.

5. URBAN CITY LIFE

These folks want their next chapter to focus on city life and all the amenities that come with it. They

want a maintenance-free lifestyle filled with options, entertainment, access to the arts, and the ability to do what they want, when they want, including eating out at different restaurants several times a week and meeting up with friends.

They prefer the convenience of shopping close to home, where an all-inclusive fee takes care of everything. Ideally, they’ll be situated in the heart of a major city, but they might settle for a smaller downtown area where most of their needs are within walking distance.

They may see their home as an investment, or merely a tool of convenience. Either way, they are buying a lifestyle more than the property.

6. THE SANDWICH

Some Boomers are actively involved in supporting their aging parents or their adult children—or both—under the same roof. It may be a temporary arrangement (like a young, single adult moving home during the coronavirus) or a longer-term plan (such as moving Mom into their home after Dad passes).

Unlike others of their age, Sandwich Boomers may not have chosen their role but feel obligated to accept it. They are highly motivated by traditional family values and duties.

This is the group most likely to be interested in multigenerational housing, potentially including “in-law" suites or accessory dwelling units (ADUs). All the adult members of the family should feel connected but also have private space.