Northshore Living: From Empty Nest to Dream Home

by Karen B. Gibbs

If your last child has left home, now’s the time. If your dining room’s reserved for holidays and your formal living room’s gathering dust, see it as an omen. And if you’d choose a root canal over summer yard work, you are definitely ready to trade your empty nest for a dream home.

With the first wave of baby boomers redefining themselves and their environment, an evolution in home building is underway and results are impressive. Says Gary Salathe, co-owner of Alternative Design/Build Group, LLC and builder of garden homes at Countryside in Goodbee, boomers aren’t downsizing by making every room smaller. “Most definitely, we do not mean downsizing the master bedroom closet!” he begins. “Actually, we’re not making rooms smaller; we’re just eliminating whole rooms that aren’t used anymore in the empty-nester lifestyle.” By doing this, homes have less square footage but still maintain spacious rooms. “1,700 square feet feels like 2,500 square feet,” Salathe adds.

For example, the breakfast area is large enough to accommodate a formal dining room set, if desired. According to Salathe, that move alone can save 150 square feet. Open floor plans have dining-living areas flowing into large gourmet kitchens that offer a dazzling showcase of culinary amenities—granite countertops; top-of-the-line, energy-efficient appliances; quality flooring and custom-made cabinets.
The rest of the house follows suit. According to “Right House, Right Place, Right Time” by Dr. Margaret Wylde, who conducts research in housing for the 45-and-older market, in addition to a large, well-equipped kitchen, homeowners list the following among top items in an ideal home: hardwood floors; large closets; pleasing natural light; gas or wood-burning fireplace; a large master bedroom suite; attached garage with direct entry into the house; outdoor living space, such as a porch, deck, balcony or patio; and low or no maintenance.

Taking this research one step further, Ronnie Beard of Beard and Associates, contracted Wylde to ascertain the specific desires of northshore 55+ homebuyers. With results in hand, he implemented these ideas in Covington’s Maison du Lac, an active adult community with a projected 269 houses and 151 condos surrounding a 26-acre lake. “This demographic on the northshore wants safety and security,” he begins, explaining that Maison du Lac is a gated community. “They want walking and biking trails, a fitness center and a club house.” Low maintenance and green space are also high on the list of priorities for these buyers. “They want nicer—not ‘as nice,’” Beard adds. “They are upgrading to include every conceivable amenity in their home.”

To accommodate the social demands of his clients, Beard designed a clubhouse with a fitness room, golf-simulator room and billiards. Around the clubhouse are a zero-entry swimming pool, putting green and areas for bocce ball and horseshoes.

While the two types of developments mentioned above have similarities in floor plans and luxury appointments in their housing, they differ in social thrust, age requirements and monthly fees. By law, age-restricted 55+ active adult communities may discriminate against those younger than 55. Such communities adhere to a universal design code that ensures no-threshold entries into the house and handicap accessibility at least to the kitchen, master bedroom and bathroom. The 45+ communities also provide handicap accessibility and no thresholds, but sell homes to all ages.

Prospective buyers choose between a gated and a non-gated development. Gated undoubtedly provides an extra measure of security to residents. Roads in a gated community are considered private, however; as such, the homeowners are responsible for their maintenance. Streets in non-gated communities are maintained by the parish.

The degree of social interaction in the community is another factor that must be considered. Clubhouses provide a central place for gathering and are great for socializing and having fun.
These amenities enhance the quality of life, but they also come with a price tag—a monthly assessment for homeowners. For some, the added social value is worth the cost. For others, selecting a development that offers homes without the clubhouse or swimming pool is the way to go. They feel their lives are complete without this added social component and welcome the savings in monthly fees.

In both Countryside and Maison du Lac, homes are built around private courtyards that can be seen from several rooms in the house. This limited outdoor area provides the feel of nature without the demands of a large yard—another plus for this demographic. Homes are also designed so that courtyard views do not include neighbors’ windows. While homeowners are responsible for their own courtyards, maintenance of front lawns is included in both developments.

Less work. More living space. The finest of appointments. Patio gardens. Dream kitchens. Boomers of the world, prepare to make the move!