Another of the topics touched upon in the recent Landfall Real Estate Forum was national trends in the 55 years of age and older population. A few of those trends, as reported in various builder and real estate studies, include the following:
- There is a strong preference for single family, detached homes.
- Most buyers want single floor construction, and almost all want master bedroom and living space on the lower level, even if the home is multi-story.
- About 75% like the open floor plan home, where the kitchen and primary family room are free flowing.
- Technology is important. Fiber to the home is great; multiple phone and computer connections are desired.
- Far fewer prospects than during the boom are willing to pay extra for “green” features that have environmental benefits, but efficiency that saves money (such as energy savings) are still sought.
- More pre-retirees are considering staying put, rather than relocating when retirement comes.
Fortunately, more potential customers in Landfall’s prime market region, the northeast, are likely to relocate than those in warmer climates, and there is some pent up demand since the slow down in the national real estate market has drug on for a couple of years now.
As a seller, be cognizant of how your home stacks up with the desires of the majority of the market. The closer to the ideal, the more marketable the home.
Kenneth M. Kirkman, General Manager, Landfall Realty
As sales traffic improves, the brokers at Landfall Realty have noticed a bit of a shift in what prospects are interested in viewing. Until recently, there had been minimal movement during the past year in Landfall’s homesite inventory, but it appears interest in homesites is increasing. While only 10 Landfall homesites have closed year-to-date , in recent weeks three more homesites have gone under contract, and two of Landfall Realty’s agents are negotiating what may well be additional homesite sales. Landfall homesite prices currently range from $156,800 to $2,498,000 with attributes ranging from quaint, interior, wooded sites to lush, expansive golf frontage to massive waterfront properties…something for everyone! We at Landfall Realty believe this renewed interest in homesites is based in part on the fact that there has been some reduction in the price of such sites, which, combined with decreased prices charged by home builders, has made building price competitive with the purchase of an existing home. Please visit our website for more details. 
A Raleigh prospect recently visited Landfall wanting to make Wilmington, NC his home. Landfall Realty Broker, Martie Davy, showed her client many waterfront homes within the community before determining none offered the possibilities of building a custom home on an absolutely spectatular .88 acre homesite listed for sale by Landfall Realty. Located on the Pete Dye Course, this lot overlooks Pete Dye Lake and has views of 4 golf holes – #18, #17, #2 and #1. Our new Landfall real estate owner plans to begin building right away, will soon join Country Club of Landfall and now calls Landfall, Wilmington’s premier community, “Home”.