Majority of Aging Adults Say They’re Not Moving

by Ryan Christensen 06/06/2022

An elderly man and woman at a kitchen table using a laptop.

© DigitalVision / Getty Images

 

June 6, 2022

Baby boomers hold the majority of real estate wealth in the U.S.—and as they age, they increasingly say they plan to stay put in their current homes. Sixty-six percent of U.S. adults aged 55 and older say they expect to age in place, according to a new Freddie Mac survey.

But that could further exacerbate the housing supply shortage, the report notes. The housing supply in the U.S. has dropped to record lows over the past two years. Baby boomers are veering from traditional patterns of selling later in life and downsizing or moving to assisted living. That could prompt an even more severe housing shortage nationwide.

Baby boomers’ financial gains over the past five years may better equip them to stay in place, too, the survey says.

Still, baby boomers acknowledge that their home will require some degree of renovations to make the space more appropriate to age in place. But they feel confident that their personal savings and long-term retirement and investment accounts will allow them to afford to do so, the survey shows.

A 2021 survey conducted by AARP shows that many homeowners would need to modify their current home so they or a loved one could live there.

· 79% say they would need to modify bathrooms with grab bars or no-step showers.

· 71% say their home has inside and outside accessibility issues.

· 61% say they would need an emergency response system.

· 48% say they would need smart-home devices like a voice-activated home assistant or a doorbell camera.

The number of households headed by people aged 65 and older is expected to increase from 34 million to 48 million over the next two decades, according to Urban Institute data.

About the Author
Author

Ryan Christensen

Responsive, Responsible and Resourceful - How Real Estate Should Be. This is the foundation of our continued success: responsive service, providing accurate and timely information, and demystifying the process. 100% of my business is referral based because I listen to my clients' needs and exceed their expectations. As a full-time real estate broker, I am the best advocate for both my buyers and sellers. I am always available, regardless of the time of day.

 Being a native Southern Californian is a tremendous advantage. I know the area. Time is more valuable than money, but neither can be wasted. And, I'm a fan of hard work. My clients can enjoy their home buying and/or selling experience because I provide a trusting, focused, straightforward approach. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals and find joy in homeownership.

 I am both a licensed Real Estate and Mortgage Broker. Others choose to concentrate on one or the other. I provide a higher level of service and expertise than those who do not obtain this dual skill set, which differentiates me from other service providers. My decisions and advice are based solely on what is in the best interest of my clients. I use Real Estate Sales as a tool to make sure my clients get the home that meets or exceeds their needs. As a Mortgage Broker, I search for the best loans so I can offer lower rates and pricing than my financing competition. This certainly IS in the client's best interest.