What are empty nesters looking for? (Greenville: wood floors, appliances, new home)

[HomeBuilder06]

If you (retired couples w/no kids at home) were out looking for a new home.. what would you like in a house (ie. wood floors?, low maint (small yard), 1 story house?) let me know.. Also.. where would your search begin for this kind of home? *NOTE* I am not advertising in any way.. just curious

thanks
merle

[flgargoyle]

Interesting question. I think that as the baby boomers become empty nesters, people will be looking for a much wider range of homes than previous generations. We will fit that category when we build in SC, although we won't be retired for 10-15 years. Since this will (hopefully) be our last home, we are looking towards making it comfortable for our retirement years. Here's what we're planning: Very small by current standards. I'm trying to make the main floor about 1200 sq. ft. Full basement, probably with finished guest quarters. Large, open public area, encompassing LR, DR, and kitchen. Roomy master suite with a big walk-in closet/dressing room. 2 bathrooms. We have found that we only regularly use about half of our current 1600 sq ft home. We have 7 acres, but most of it will remain woods, with a small, low-maintenance yard. The goal is to have a small, energy efficient space, with expandable guest quarters for occasional use. The interior will be basic and rustic, with wood floors, but not bowling alley perfect. With dogs and muddy boots, we don't want to fret over the floors. 9 or 10 foot ceilings; lots of windows; 36" doors throughout. I'll put blocking in the bathroom walls for hand rails should I want to add them at some time. The exterior will be simple, with a metal roof and Hardi siding for easy care. I'd like both a long front porch, and a big screened porch in the rear. We want a house that is affordable to buy, and cheap to 'feed'. No 'mcmansions' here!

[lakerock]

Less space, maintenance, yard work...but not wedged in with other houses. Natural setting. 1800-2000 sf with 2 car garage. Open floor plan that flows, 9ft ceilings, wood and tile flooring, outside decking, nice view in back, quiet street but close to shopping (2-4 miles.) Upper and lower level would be fine. Stairs are good cardio exercise. Decent sized kitchen, office/computer room. Nice sized laundry/storage. I could go on...there are going to be mucho BB's very, very soon

[janrey]

probably single floor but ok if it has a guest room w/bath upstairs. No living room or dining room, an absolute waste of space. Also add a large foyer is a waste. Rather perhaps a small office/sitting room for computer, large great room and eat in kitchen. Yes, small low maintenance yard but then I want the beach so it could be all sand ;-). Good sized master bedroom and bath but don't really need the massive baths that seem to be in all the designer mags (who cleans it?). An absolute must is wiring done while building for computers/tv etc. so that all the cords aren't a hassle. Lots of storage whether a full basement or attached storage area and as I say every year at Christmas a hidden closet near where I place the "fake" Christmas tree so it can be just rolled in and out without decorating or undecorating (can we say I'm lazy ;-) ) Husband would require a large garage for all his doo-dads. Wood floors would be a plus, especially at the beach.

And as I stated earlier *my* requirement is near the beach though not necessarily beach front. Oh and affordable <G>

So when are you building my dream home???

[HomeBuilder06]

thanks everyone.. i think im on track.. except for janrey (would love to build at the beach, but would have to make too much bc after your house i would want to play in the sand also lol)

[justNancy]

Smaller home but in a nice neighborhood. 1200-1400 sq ft. Prefer wood or laminate flooring, ceramic tile in kitchen & bathrooms. 3 bedrooms or 2 bedrooms with an office. The most important thing for me is peace & quiet, however. I like lots of trees and a wooded setting at the end of a street with little traffic. (The new developments look bare to me.) I prefer everything on one level, although I would buy a house with 2 floors. I just don't want to be heating and cooling 2 levels when I will rarely use the upper rooms, if the master is on the lower level. Closet space is also important, although most new homes have walk-in closets. Fireplace with gas logs and a 2-car garage. A screened porch in the back and a small deck.

Isn't this the Greenville forum? Where's the beach?

[flgargoyle]

Trees are important to older folks- we don't have enough years left to grow new ones!

[janrey]

Originally Posted by HomeBuilder06

thanks everyone.. i think im on track.. except for janrey (would love to build at the beach, but would have to make too much bc after your house i would want to play in the sand also lol)

Well if you bring the wine it'd be the first step to getting an invite ;-)

[gentlearts]

We want the kitchen as the center of the home.. high end appliances, island, granite, walk in pantry, lower cabinet drawers, sitting room for TV off kitchen.
No formal dining room, but plenty of room for a large table when necessary.
A second master suite for guests.
Office.
Walk in closets in master bedroom.
Great room. Plenty of light and access to outside. No fireplace unless it's gas. No pool. I'd rather have a deep soaking tub than a jacuzzi. And higher toilets. Laundry adjacent to bedrooms.
Small yard, but still private. Must have 3 car garage...I just don't get why these are so rare in the south when you don't have basements either.

[Bette]

Our children are not yet married and while that may be a few years off, we would need space for them and later on, for their families.

Dream home:
One level, no steps, wood floors, some carpeting in bedrooms, updated kitchen and bathrooms, exercise/work out room, probably 4 bedrooms but I like the 2 master idea. Cozy family room/game room concept for fun times.
Do homes in Greenville area have pools?

This would be a second home for us. Our Florida home is near the beach so we will get our beach fix there!

Square footage - we are self employed so we like space! Most likely, we may work out of the home so that is different for us!

Stuff to dream about!