Who Are Builders Thinking About When Building New Homes For Seniors? What Seniors Want In Today’S Ne

If you are a senior, or child of a senior parent looking at new senior apartments, you may be feeling a bit frustrated with the options available. Large yards to take care of, no privacy, too much space, or uneven space, stairs and other features that may have been something you would have been able to tolerate before, just isn't desirable today, as a senior, you may be thinking "been there, done that." When it comes to a place of retirement what many seniors are looking for is simplicity not more expense or more work than necessary.

What Seniors Want in senior apartments Today
Obviously space and privacy is important, but managing a large house just isn't practical anymore. Square footage plus needs should balance out.
' Bedroom placement- seniors prefer to have bedrooms on the first level. If the whole house cannot be one level, at least the bedrooms should be on the lower level.
' More natural light- large windows, skylights
' Usable space- high ceilings are lovely, but in a small home, the use of space is highly important. Could that open space be used for storage?
' Built in space savers- kitchen bench seats with storage underneath for example.

Offer Choices
Every senior is different in what they find appealing in a home. Builders who can offer several choices of color and fabrics for flooring, paint and tiling will find happy buyers.

Lhttp://www.thearticlewarehouse.com/submitarticles.php?act=edit&id=15438ittle Extras
Builders who can offer creative choices like sunrooms, custom kitchens and bathroom designs or decks will have more buyers looking. Builders should offer modern and mainstream as well as creative designs to appeal to a wider audience. Builders who build senior apartments that don't look like every other senior apartment on the block will also find buyers waiting in line.

Remember, senior apartments need to reflect the lives of seniors, but they don't have to look like a nursing home. The apartment should be an elegant design but doesn't exceed the budget for everything else, and although a smaller home, it should have large rooms. It should also:

' Be energy efficient, with plenty of "green" options.
' Have privacy, without the yard work involved
' Have Internet, cable access
' Accessible to a community "clubhouse" or quick access to shops, services and transportation

Builders need to be aware that there will be buyers who prefer the large gourmet kitchens, hot tubs and lavish gardens, but a large portion of the senior community is looking for a change in the amount of effort that goes into a home. Senior apartments can and should vary in size, location, amenities and price. When builders listen to senior needs, everyone wins.

About the Author:

About the author: Melissa Peterman is a web content specialist for Innuity. For more information on where to find modern senior apartments go to Great Places.