ATLANTA, Dec. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Being single
isn't stopping female baby boomers from investing in their dream
homes, as witnessed in 50 Del Webb communities across the country.
Since 2012, Del Webb buyer profiles
indicate the percentage of single female homebuyers has steadily
increased, now representing one-in-five Del
Webb buyers.
"The single female baby boomer demographic has emerged as a
growing source of demand in the new homebuyer market. This is
a group of women that is confident, financially savvy and ready to
make long-term financial commitments," says Lindsay Motley, regional vice president of sales
for PulteGroup, Inc., the parent company of Del Webb. "With single female boomers now
numbering approximately 25 million, this growing population
represents a tremendous opportunity for our Del Webb communities."
Motley adds that the growing trend of single female homebuyers
is likely to continue, as reflected in the recent Del Webb Baby
Boomer Survey, which revealed that 28 percent of single female baby
boomers anticipate they will have a change in their housing needs
within the next five years. While more than half (60 percent)
of those plan to make the move to smaller housing accommodations,
they aren't willing to give up on dream home features. The Del Webb
Baby Boomer survey was an online study of 1,020 single female U.S.
adults ages 50-68, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of
Del Webb in December 2014.
"Boomers may be downsizing, but they have worked hard over their
careers and don't want to compromise on high-end features, such as
granite countertops, upgraded appliances, sunrooms and luxurious
baths," says Motley.
What's next for single homebuyers?
While some single
female baby boomers may be looking to downsize, it may not be by a
lot. The average size of a Del
Webb home today is 1,893 square feet. The Del Webb
Baby Boomer Survey showed that among those planning to move, 50
percent prefer their next home to be a single family home or a
condo (19 percent), apartment (19 percent), or townhome (9
percent). They are nearly equally split between preferring
their dream home and wanting to live close to family and
friends.
The beach life is not for them.
According to the
survey, three-quarters (74 percent) of single female boomers are
planning to stay in the same city or state when they retire. And
while the white sands and ocean views may sound like a great place
to retire, only 12 percent prefer to move to a beach town. Most
single female boomers also prefer to live in the suburbs (29
percent), a small town (24 percent), or an urban, metropolitan city
(18 percent).
More than half (55 percent) of Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey
respondents also indicated that community amenities are at least
somewhat important when deciding on a new community.
"This research complements what we've heard from our recent
single female homebuyers. In addition to choosing Del Webb because of the home designs, they
choose our communities because of the access to amenities,
including social clubs, physical activities like group sports and
fitness centers, and mental activities, such as engaging classes
and life-long learning opportunities," said Motley.
More than one-third (36 percent) of single female boomers lead
lifestyles that are as active and healthy as they did at half their
age (35 years old). More than half of health-conscious single
female baby boomers cite fitness centers, trails and swimming pools
as important community amenities, consistent with the 68 percent
who rank a healthy lifestyle as their top priority.
About the Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey
The Del Webb
Baby Boomer Survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of
PulteGroup from December 1-8, 2014
among 1,020 single, female U.S. adults ages 50-68. Findings for the
total sample are projectable to the universe of 50-68-year-old U.S.
females. Total data were weighted to represent 50-68-year-old U.S.
females. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for
respondents' propensity to be online. No estimates of theoretical
sampling error can be calculated. Since 1996, Del Webb has conducted more than ten Baby Boomer
surveys to better understand this large, powerful demographic.
About Del
Webb
Del Webb is a
national brand of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM). Del Webb is the pioneer in active adult
communities and America's leading builder of new homes targeted to
preretirement and retiring boomers. Del
Webb builds consumer inspired homes and communities for
active adults ages 55+ who want to continue to explore, grow and
learn, socially, physically and intellectually as they look forward
to retirement. For more information on Del
Webb, visit www.delwebb.com.
About PulteGroup, Inc.
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM),
based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one
of America's largest homebuilding companies with operations in
approximately 50 markets throughout the country. Through its brand
portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb and DiVosta Homes, the company is one
of the industry's most versatile homebuilders able to meet the
needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer
demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide
homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer inspired homes
and communities to make lives better.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup
brands, go to pultegroupinc.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com;
www.delwebb.com and www.divosta.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on
Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.
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SOURCE Del Webb