Parsons Real Estate Group

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1-Story Living: Take The Stairs Out Of Your Life!

Posted by Mike Parsons
July 28, 2006 at 02:02 AM

We have seen much more demand in the last year for 1-story living. This trend is being powered by the baby boomers and their parents as they search for a lower maintenance lifestyle. As empty nesters, they usually first look to take the stairs out of their lives. We have seen a better than average rise in values for ranches (one story homes) in the established suburbs that these buyers are coming from, as well as for newer ranch style condos and patio homes. I don't expect this trend to slow as the baby boomers grow older, and their bank accounts grow bigger. Much of this demographic no longer supports children so they are also investigating ranches, condos, and patio homes in the Columbus School District where they are finding thousands of dollars in tax savings per year.

There are a few luxury patio home (free standing condos) developments off of Olentangy and Linworth Roads, as well as other well located areas of the city. The Parkview Northeast condos off of Polaris Pkwy have also been popular. At $140,000's they are one of the few ranch style condos, in decent areas, with a basement, that can be found under the $180,000's. Also ranch floorplans in Northside Columbus neighborhoods like The Knolls, Indian Hills, and others have benefited from the lower Columbus taxes, and the abundance of 1 story homes in the neighborhoods. Epcon is a condo develper that has made a living catering to this market. Their low maintenance units have provided a safe home base for many of the Florida snow birds that have a second home down south. Their locations and floorplans can be found at epconcommunities.com.

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