Must-Have Home Features for 55+ Home Buyers

The top must-have home features for 55+ home buyers are generally centered around ease of living and evolving needs. Purposeful home design that meets their needs in a community that supports social interaction and an active lifestyle offer 55+ home buyers a variety of options to fit their lifestyle needs and desires.

Ease of Living

Anyone who is planning on living in their home through retirement will need to determine if their current home and community include the features they need for a happy, healthy life as they get older and their lifestyle needs change.

New Homes

Modern new homes are designed and built with ease of living in mind. Large modern kitchens with granite or quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and plenty of drawers and storage make daily life and entertaining easier and more enjoyable. Other features like zero-entry exterior doorways, walk-in showers, project rooms, pet staging areas and ample storage throughout the home can improve and simplify your life.

Single-level living which includes a first-floor owner’s suite makes everything easier from day-to-day living to entertaining and cleaning. With all the main living areas on one level, moving between rooms is easier and safer for everyone of all ages as well as pets.

Most new homes come equipped to handle smart technology upgrades or have them included. Automated lighting and temperature controls, smart locks and security systems and other technology that can be controlled remotely from a mobile device can add to your ease of living and leave you more free time.

Living in a community that has lawn maintenance and snow removal included leaves plenty of extra time to spend on more enjoyable pursuits such as taking advantage of the community amenities or travel.

Home Features for Ease of Living

Single-level home with an open layout design
Large modern kitchen with island
Luxurious owner’s suite with walk-in shower
Zero entry exterior doorways and showers
Bonus suite/guest suite for guests
Ample storage throughout the home
Pet-friendly features
Smart technology

Community Features for Ease of Living

Included lawn maintenance through HOA
Community sidewalks and walking trails
Clubhouse with social area and kitchen
Neighbors who are in a similar age group

Healthy Living

Maintaining an Active Lifestyle

An essential aspect of living a happy life is being healthy. For those over 55, maintaining an active lifestyle by getting regular exercise is an important way to stay healthy.

Having a bonus suite or other flex-space room in your home allows you the luxury of being able to work out or do yoga whenever it’s convenient. Many 55+ communities offer amenities such as walking trails, well-equipped fitness centers, tennis and pickleball courts and swimming pools to help you stay in shape without having to leave the community.

Staying Socially Active

Mental health and attitude are just as important as physical health for living a happy, healthy life. According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), spending time outdoors can induce a number of health benefits. Having easy access to outdoor living spaces as well as natural light and healthy air in your home can have a positive impact.

Most 55+ communities offer the convenience of making new friends with similar interests without traveling outside the community. There are often organized events as well as groups and clubs you can join within the community for those who enjoy an active social life. The health benefits of having an active social life may help you live longer, enjoy better physical and mental health as well as lower your risk of dementia.

Home Features

Exercise Room, bonus suite or other flex space
Plenty of strategically placed windows for natural light
Covered or screened porch
Outdoor patio or deck

Community Features

Wide sidewalks and walking trails
Clubhouse with fitness center, pool and social area
Tennis, pickleball or bocce ball courts

Evolving Needs

As we age, our needs change, including the home features we need for ease of living and staying healthy. While many people would like to stay in their current homes for the long term, most realize that would involve making considerable and expensive modifications to their homes. Many of the must-have home features for 55+ home buyers are already included in modern home designs, especially in 55+ communities.

55+ Homes

Single-level living and minimizing or eliminating steps makes it possible for someone in a wheelchair or using a walker to move between indoor and outdoor spaces more easily. Single-level homes lower the risk of an older relative or a young child taking a dangerous fall and it's easier on the knees which makes it easier for you to live in your home for years to come. If you have aging pets, they’ll probably be much happier not having to go up and down stairs every day.

Wide hallways and doorways and zero-entry exterior doors may be essential at some point if someone in the home requires a wheelchair and would be much more expensive to add later than to build into the home when it’s new. The same is true for walk-in or zero-entry showers.

Most people don’t consider how difficult it might be to use doorknobs and cabinet knobs, or even light switches when they get older. Using lever handles on doors, cabinet pulls that are easy to grip and rocker panel light switches can make a big difference for those with impaired mobility.

The advantage of buying or building a new home for 55+ home buyers includes adding all the options and features they need to live a happy life surrounded by home features that make their life easier.

55+ Communities

Most 55+ communities are located in areas with easy access to transportation, shopping, restaurants, medical facilities, churches, theaters and other community facilities.

Most residents are good friends with their neighbors, and they look out for each other, which cultivates a real sense of community.

Home Features for Evolving Needs

Single-level living
Zero-entry exterior doors and showers
Wide hallways and doorways
Easy to Operate Handles and Knobs
Electrical outlets installed at a higher height
Integrated smart technology

Community Features for Evolving Needs

Close to healthcare and other services
Safety and security
Easy to make friends and socialize