Submitted by Barb Lally for Rob Rice Homes
The two largest generations today are out looking for homes.
With more than 75 million “Baby Boomers” in the U.S. and even more “Millennials”, their home preferences are in high demand and Rob Rice Homes is responding to the need with superior selections and quality choices for both generations.
The well-known Baby Boomers are searching for their perfect retirement home to safely invest their hard-earned resources and home equity.
With the improving economy, the under-35 Millennials are finally getting good-paying jobs, marrying and looking for a home to set down roots and start on the road to personal wealth-building with homeownership.
Boomers and Millennials can find their home in one of the eight Rob Rice Communities, customize one from the Select Home Sites in Thurston County or have it custom built on their own lot.
All have the convenient location, a choice of thoughtful floor plans and long lasting home value that satisfies both of these huge demographics.
The Millennials: Location, Location, Location
Since they have delayed their entry into the market, many Millennials are skipping the idea of a one bedroom condo starter home and are looking for a place where they can raise a family and build equity.
When surveyed about their preferences, the Millennials overwhelmingly say they want to live in neighborhoods near the hubs of activity they are used to and close to everything they need—coffee shops, work, restaurants, bars and transportation—something they will find in Rob Rice Communities that have been developed with a vision for community convenience.
For the Millennial, the single most important feature of the home itself is its floor plan. They are looking for well-built homes that are cost- and energy-efficient with open floor plans that reflect how this group likes to socialize and live casually.
The brand new Noble plan at the gorgeous Rob Rice Community of Campus Peak easily facilitates that relaxed living. The homes there are set among beautiful Northwest backdrops and are within minutes of the bustling and amenity-rich Hawks Prairie business area and easy access to I-5.
Campus Peak homes are energy efficient and have many stunning features to offer, yet their prices are within reach of a Millennial working household.
The Rob Rice Community of Kensington in Lacey is within walking distance to vast community resources including a large home improvement store, coffee shop, local watering hole, a myriad of restaurants, and three grocery stores and yet it uniquely borders the forested Western Chehalis Trail for biking and jogging enthusiasts.
Kensington has floor plans with kitchens that open out to a light and bright great room for the casual living that Millennials enjoy. These gorgeous homes are built with upscale features that are included in the price of the home and Millennials will also appreciate maintenance-free front lawns for their active lifestyles.
At the Villages at South Hill the Legacy series or “cottage homes” provide low- maintenance living and a reasonable price. These homes have become a popular choice for first-time homebuyers as well as retirees. They are nested around a park-like green space creating community and convenience while the community lawns are fully maintained.
Boomers want their Best Home Ever
Studies show that four out of five Boomers want to “age in place” and are therefore looking for location convenience as well a floor plan that allows easier living.
They often are looking to downsize from their family home and want to sink their resources from its sale into upgrading their next home. They have worked hard and want to enjoy a community with carefree living, little lawn maintenance and, like the Millennials, close to community amenities.
The Rob Rice Community of the Villages at South Hill has drawn a lot of attention from retiring Baby Boomers not only in the South Sound but from King County and beyond.
Its convenient location to Puyallup’s South Hill and its stunning floor plans for ramblers and homes with downstairs master bedrooms, have made the homes a fitting choice for Boomers. Rob Rice has responded to the huge demand for these homes in the Phase II development of this sought-after community, set to open late winter of 2015.
Chestnut Village in Olympia and Evergreen Heights in Lacey are also superior Rob Rice Communities that offer floor plans for this generation. The convenient locations, the fully-landscaped yards, the many premium features have made these homes a popular choice for retirees.
All of these homes have quality cabinetry finishes, handsome hardwood floors, shiny granite or quartz countertops, designer backsplash tile and stylish lighting that are standard in the cost of the homes making them an incomparable value.
Both generations seek Value
Both of these generations are “value-conscious” when it comes to spending their money on a home.
Millennials are cautious because of what they experienced in the recession and Boomers have worked their entire lives for their money. Both want uncompromising quality and long-term investment value.
“We are known for the superior quality of our homes that maintain or often increase their value over the years,” says Rob Rice, who was voted the Best of South Sound builder for 2013. “They are some of the finest-built homes in the area providing the true value buyers seek. That is good news for any generation.”
For sales information:
Campus Peak and Chestnut Village: Contact the Coldwell Banker Team of Jeanne Tranum, Vonna Madeley & Leslie Shipe: www.coldwellbankerteam.com.
Evergreen Heights: Contact Jessica Volkman of Epic Realty, Inc at Jessica@robricehomes.com
Kensington: Contact Lucia Arroyo of Epic Realty, Inc. at lucia@robricehomes.com
Villages at South Hill: Contact Heather Keating of Epic Realty, Inc at Heather@robricehomes.com.
For information on Rob Rice Homes go to: www.robricehomes.com.
Rob Rice is Thurston County’s largest local home builder and was voted the Best of South Sound for 2013. He has built more than 3000 homes over the last 30 years. He and his wife Helena live in Olympia with their two sons; Alex Michael and Carson. Rob is a graduate of Washington State University with degrees in construction management and architecture.
