We sold our two story house three years ago because my wife got tired of trapsing upstairs to her sewing room. I wasn’t crazy about making the move because the home we left was part of a homeowner’s association where they hired mowers and landscapers and I just paid the quarterly fees.

So we moved to a one story ranch.  But it’s 40 years old because the builders in this area don’t build one level homes.  Even the condos and similar developments designed to appeal to the 55+ group are two story.

 The builders in one of the fastest growing areas for boomers, Naples, FL are getting smart.  In addition to all the amenities that have become standard for the community, the homes reflect boomer desires too.

They are building homes with dog washes, with storage for golf clubs and sports equipment…

The bathtub is no longer just a selling point for a new home, but a boomer necessity. “They have more time so they’re likely to take a lovely soaking bath,” said Sladick, whose recent project for one of the eight carriage homes at Azure in Bonita Bay included installing boomer-friendly features that also address safety — grab bars in the tub and shower and changing the color of steps into sunken parlors or at entries to make them more visible. “Baby boomers are making these changes for their parents,” she said. “It’s something they think about when their mother or father visits, and something that will also help them as they age. They love luxurious bathing tubs but are attuned to the eventual need of having an easy way to get in and out.

…and heated towel bars, better reading lighting, dishwashers mounted higher, and countertops lower.

These types of changes don’t add a lot to the cost of a home, but do add a lot to the value.

Homebuilders in areas with growing boomer populations need to take heed.