Being that this town is comprised of nearly 66% retired folks, I listen for their needs.. Not just their current needs but future ones as well. While there are plenty of Ranchers and 2-story homes in this area, I like to keep in mind that as we progress in age, stairs become less and less favorable. It seems more and more Builders out here also understand this fact. I see it in the newer homes now, you know, the "Master on the Main Level" homes?
I know of several retired folks that had purchased homes, some recently, that have 2 or 3 floors with the accompanying sets of stairs. Some of these folks have never even been on the upper floor! I have talked with some of these folks and have found out, in most cases, their Agent didn't really listen to them. Sure they found the home that had the Master on the main floor for a few of these folks, but there were also the ones that had to engage these stairways on a daily basis. Some of these folks are in their 70's, 80's, and even 90's.
I can understand the fact that we all have families that visit. The room or rooms upstairs are convenient for children and grandchildren, but not for an 86 year old man with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I asked a particular gentleman why he had purchased his home. He'd been living here for going on 19 years and when he originally bought it, the Agent had convinced him to purchase it for the VIEW and not the convenience. That sorta struck a chord with me.
The Agent that sold this man on the view has since retired and moved to a Lower elevation due to "Health Concerns". Why she never took her Buyers "Health concerns" into consideration when she sold this home to him, I'll never know.
When I work with Buyers, one of the things I like to find out, is their future plans when it comes to length of time they are planning on living here. If it's a 2-5 years kind of answer and they don't have specifics then I'll concentrate on what they want in the Now. If these folks are planning on living out their years here, I certainly wouldn't show them a 2-story home with the Master Upstairs.
Anticipating a buyers needs down the road, even if they haven't thought about it, helps me help them. It'll make their lives more manageable and I'll know I was looking out for their future interests.
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