One of the biggest emerging homebuyer profiles is that of the 55-and-older empty nester, the kind of homeowner ready to enjoy the finer things in life, especially when it comes to their living space.
“Their relationship with their house has changed,” says architect Deryl Patterson, president of Jacksonville-based Housing Design Matters. “In the past, they’ve been busy raising a family or focused on their career, and now they have time to really enjoy their house. Rooms that once were chore rooms are now hobby rooms, especially the kitchen.”