Andrew Galvin sells real estate and he’s noticed that there are a lot of misconceptions
about the middle-aged buyer. The Prudential Parkway Realty agent learned a great deal from a
recent seminar by David Foote, an economist and author who describes the traits and habits
of three generations in his book Boom, Bust and Echo.
     "When David Foote gave his seminar he said how do you market to the 55+ crowd, or
someone who is 70? Do you market to their actual age, or do you market your goods and
services to their perceived age? People who are 55 don’t feel like 55; they feel like 35. And
people who are 70, don’t feel 70. That’s an interesting change, compared to 30 years ago."
     The 55+ crowd is buying homes, "but they are not buying what you traditionally thought they
were buying," Andrew learned recently at a seminar on home buying in Toronto. "They are
buying new, very large, well put-together homes and condos that are not necessarily down in
price, that may be a little smaller, but are up in amenities."
     It is important to know the market. "A lot of people, when people hit 55 or 60, they think
wheelchairs and old age homes. These people are very, very active. You might think they’ll sell
their 2,500 square foot home because the kids are gone and they are empty nesters, and they
end up buying up – a 2,100 square foot bungalow or condo with a full basement, so they have
more square footage.
     "Most are very well off and they don’t want to sacrifice. They want a certain standard of living
and they want to maintain or increase their space. The first generation of baby boomers have
good jobs and they will inherit a lot of money when their parents die."
     The 55+ buyer is also very loyal "if you do a good job and are diligent. They are also a very
demanding buyer. They know what they want, and they don’t want to settle. They are active,
they have money and they don’t want to sacrifice. They know what they want and they don’t
want to compromise."
     What does this tell builders? "If you talk to any builders, they are building bungalows – that’s
the way to go. Even the mistake of building an elevated bungalow with too many stairs can
mean the difference between selling and not selling. They plan to be in the house for the nest
25 or 30 years so they want open concept for entertaining, and yet full lower levels for the kids
or grandchildren to come home to stay, or play. They want to live on one floor. "
     Bungalows are getting the highest prices of any home style, including two-storey, inside or
back-split models, Andrew says.
     Neighbourhood is also important to this buyer. "Often they want to be within walking
distance of shopping, the Rotary Trail or other activities. They want to be in a good
neighbourhood where there are people like themselves," like Triple T ’s development on
Parkhill Road – Parkhill West.
     "They have double car garages, most of those people have two cars, and a lot of living
space on one floor, with full basements. They know each other; they are buying where their
friends are. I’ve sold a lot of homes to people moving out there. They are nice upper-end
homes and they are spending more money. "
     Bill Turner, Jr., who works for the family business, Triple T Holdings Ltd., says all the 61
units in Parkhill West have been sold. But, the builder is currently marketing a new nearby
luxury development - The Cedars Edge- with views into Jackson Park. "Each suite will be
custom designed and tailored to meet the individual tastes and needs of its new owners -
typically empty nesters with and eye for detail and discerning taste."
     Middle-aged buyers, he says, "have years of experience evolving their tastes. People
interested in custom homes are focused on quality and the ability to get what they want."
     Parkhill West "California style" homes tend to be "open concept" with special features such
as custom kitchens, high ceilings, skylights and custom showers. Bill says, "Generally
speaking, people come to us because we can take a concept they’ve seen in a magazine or
even in their imagination and make it a reality," Examples like gourmet kitchens, slate floors, a
sauna or even a putting green in a basement are all examples of choices people have made
here at Parkhill West. "We like to say "why try to fit your lifestyle into someone else's idea of a good plan.'"
     Triple T Holdings Ltd. is clearly a leader in condo building in the area – if not Ontario, Bill
says, "one would be hard pressed to find another builder that has focused exclusively on
Condo developments for a quarter century". Triple T has been building condominiums in the
Peterborough area for nearly 25 years, with nearly 30 registered condo corporations in the City
of Peterborough and 325 suites completed.
     Rolling Hills Estates in Bobcaygeon is another custom home community of 17 half-acre
lots – a private waterfront community on Pigeon Lake. Billed as the blending of the lifestyles of
cottage and home, lots are laid out to highlight views of sunrises and sunsets, fields and the
lake, and there is a private docking facility for each homeowner's boat. Other amenities include
a gazebo and gardens and a private beach. Homes designed by Jason Szakacsi and his team
from Vision Design & Construction emphasize quality features: open concept design,
upgraded kitchens, lighting and plumbing fixture collections, outsized windows, walkouts and
wrap-around decks and high quality flooring.
     Port 32 in Bobcaygeon is another Pigeon Lake community geared to the empty nester.
Director of Marketing Helen Reynolds says, "The wonderful thing about creating a quality
community is that it attracts quality people. I can't say enough about Port 32's wonderful
residents who have moved here from across the GTA and beyond. Their appreciation for their
environment, attention to detail with their homes and their zest for life are just remarkable!"
Included in the price of a new home is a membership to the Shore Spa Recreation, Harbour
and Tennis Club, with tennis, swimming, boating and fishing. A social committee plans
barbecues, golf tournaments and other special events. Year-round recreational activities are
available nearby.
     Westview Village, an adult community on 22 acres, also in the city's west end, offers special
amenities for the mature homebuyer - including its own putting green. When completed,
Westview will be a community of 121 units. Nancy (Goodfellow) DesJardine from Royal
LePage says the garden-style bungalow development is unique. It includes a putting green
and, in later phases of construction, walking trails and a pond will be installed.
    "This is a wonderful opportunity for adults and for the Peterborough area. It will be an enjoyable neighbourhood for adult living and the 22.43 acres is unique in itself. This is a
community within itself where friendships will be made and relationships will flourish.
There is the potential for a retirement home within the Westview community."
    Rivermill Village is an established adult lifestyle community on 12 acres beside the Scugog
River in Lindsay. Features of the bungalow townhouses are designed for the 55+ age group –
including main floor laundry rooms, full basements and attached garages."We have had a very
positive response to our models," says sales rep Darlene Binnekamp. "People like the idea of
living all on one floor and not having to worry about outdoor maintenance."
     The Rivermill Clubhouse houses an indoor pool, exercise room, hot tub, saunas, billiards,
shuffleboard, ping pong and cards, a library, party room, barbecue and kitchen. Residents
also enjoy two tennis courts, private boat slips and golf memberships.
     In Peterborough, The Meadows, by Peterborough's Parkview Homes, is a rapidly-growing active adult community nestled in the north-west corner of Lansdowne Street and The
Parkway. This condominium bungalow development features garden bungalows and is within
walking distance of shopping, restaurants and many other amenities. The area is rich in
amenities and is pedestrian friendly, rather than vehicle dependent. The site is close to major
shopping, such as Sobey's and Canadian Tire. The community also has its own one-acre
park. Only a few detached homes remain, but new to this active adult community are their
condominiumtownhomes which offer full basements and attached garages. Some of the
townhome condominiums are available with lofts.