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Don't Call us Seniors - The Changing Face of Baby Boomers - Like Us

By
Industry Observer with Nature As Neighbors

We sell ViewHomes™ and multigenerational homes in Clark County, WA. They are properties located on larger parcels which provide more privacy. A majority of our clients are baby boomers. They are looking for a home that gives them plenty of room for visiting ( or live-in) family members and a place to relax. They recognize the important and rejuvenating qualities of living with soothing views amidst natural settings.

 

We too are baby-boomers, it’s likely no coincidence that we also live in a Viewhome™ and a Multi-generational home at that. We mirror many of our clients in that we have a great respect for the environment, and recognize the importance of good health habits, such as eating organic foods and getting regular exercise. We really don’t consider ourselves old. In fact, there is no way we’d ever call ourselves Senior Citizens. Would you?

 

Posted by


Debb Janes  Bernie Stea
Brokers/REALTORS®
Call or Text 360-608-4900

We help buyers and sellers in Camas, Washougal, Brush Prairie/Hockinson, Salmon Creek, Felida, and other Vancouver, Washington Areas. 

We bring our passion for nature and beautiful environments to Real Estate. Multigenerational and family estates, country land and homes, and small farmsteads are our speciality.


We agree with our clients, "The true luxury of rural living is having elbowroom for the soul.

 

Comments(17)

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Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

So....

  1. I am early baby boomer and have continued to work well past the age of 65 with no real plans to stop.
  2. Fortunately, we do not support adult children. They were well educated, graduated with master's degrees without a penny of debt because we paid for it all... now they are on their own. That was the deal and they understood it.
  3. My home is not multi-generational unless you consider my husband, who is part of the silent generation born before WWII, as a different generation. In our family we are the "old" generation.
  4. You can call me whatever, as long as I don't lose my senior discounts! Love them... there is an advantage to aging!
Jan 20, 2018 02:56 PM
Debb Janes

The numbers for baby boomers in multi-gen home drops with age. No doubt because the sandwich generation takes care of kids, grandkids and parents. As the kids get older, parents die, there's not a need.  You have a good attitude Nina. Just don't call me a senior. Hahaha. 

Jan 20, 2018 03:00 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Debb... my father was 50 when I was born, so he's been gone many years and he died close to the age of 90. My mother died 20 years ago. My father-in-law died in 1980's. My mother-in-law died at age of 98 some 15 years ago. As for kids and grandkids... they know they are on their own... we put them on their feet and are not our lookout anymore! Obviously, in the event of some major life trauma we would be there for them, but outside of that they understand that we are not taking care of them at this stage of our lives (or even that we plan to leave them much of anything in terms of an inheritance; well, maybe some nice jewelry from me).

Jan 20, 2018 03:07 PM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Call us seniors if you want to give us a discount, otherwise be careful as we can still out wit you

Jan 20, 2018 03:46 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD  ,

Love this post and especially Nina Hollander 's answer! I don't consider my self a senior citizen..there has to be a better name!

Jan 20, 2018 06:07 PM
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Good morning Debb and Bernie.  I'm perfectly fine with being called a senior.  I think I earned that distinction.

Jan 21, 2018 05:27 AM
Debb Janes

Interesting, Gabe. Wonder why we have to label age groups of people ? 

Jan 21, 2018 07:09 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Don't worry too much about being called a senior. I have been in that category for a long time. I attended a Saturday morning CE class and the instructor mentioned me as the old timer in the class.

Jan 21, 2018 05:59 AM
Debb Janes

Really? Honestly, I would NEVER make that distiction in a group. If the instructor referred to you as someone with a wealth of experience, that would be okay.  Labeling people makes little sense to me. D 

Jan 21, 2018 07:08 AM
Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400
The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY
Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

We work with many in the 55 and over group, and one couple who are both 88 said to us"we don't want to see anything in an OLD community as we are too young to deal with them"!

Jan 21, 2018 06:26 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Debb, I don't want to be called a senior either, except if they are offering discounts!  

Jan 21, 2018 06:53 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Thanks for all the input and your opinions. IMHO, the most important thing to remember is the overall attitude of the majority of this demographic. Especially if you are working with them,  it helps to better understand their mindset. 

Jan 21, 2018 07:07 AM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD , My husband is a baby boomer and I don't think of him as a senior and don't think others do as well. We have one who just graduated from college and one in college. However, he does like "senior discounts" and is happy to use them. I'm sure he'll be working a lot longer as that is his personality. Best of luck with the homes you're selling. They sound very nice and timely.

Jan 21, 2018 07:28 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, I'm in that Baby Boomer generation and when I receive AARP and other 'senior' mail, it annoys the Dickens out of me, Debb & Bernie! I don't act a 'senior' and can work circles around the vast majority of 20-year olds! So, I'm with you - whatever you do, don't call me a senior!

As for my children, they were raised to be independent adults and ARE. No multi-generations under this roof either! 

I currently have clients who are looking for the space that you sell - they said, "We don't want the 55+ communities - we're too young to have to take care of the rest of the residents!" In fact, they want lots of land for the enjoyment of peace & quiet and plenty of room for the grandkids to play! 

Jan 21, 2018 07:40 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Mostly, I just don't want to be call granny, grammy, grandma or anything like that. Nothing grannyish about me... and our grands call me by my first name.

Jan 21, 2018 08:18 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Hark! Baby Boomers are always young at heart. Calling the boomers seniors can be unintentionally very insulting. The worst comment is "having a senior moment."

Thanks Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD for clarifying and setting the record straight. 

Jan 21, 2018 08:46 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Debb and Bernie -  I am in there with you.  Don't call me a senior.

Jan 22, 2018 09:23 AM
Debb Janes

Grant Schneider Never!

Jan 22, 2018 09:25 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Once again, it's hard to pin down a baby boomer. In our experience, most share the mindset suggested by our research. They don't consider themselves old and don't like people reminding them of their age. Apparently, senior discounts are good things, though. Ha ha. 

Jan 23, 2018 02:30 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Interesting statistics, we definitely don't think of ourselves as old. As Trudy says often, leaving aside what you think about Trump, he is 71 and he ran for President, so we got lots of life in us yet.

Jan 24, 2018 07:12 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

As a baby - boomer I don't consider myself old but I do appreciate those 'senior"' discounts. My Mom didn't retire from the real estate business until she was almost 80 but who is counting?

Jan 24, 2018 01:14 PM
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Debb Janes and Bernie Stea have been a real estate team for over a decade in Clark County, WA, where they specialize in ViewHomes™, family estates, multi-generational living, and homes with large lots or acreage.

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