Retirement, Reimagined: The New Housing Strategies of Boomers and Gen Xers

For decades, retirement conjured images of downsizing into modest spaces or settling quietly into fixed-income lifestyles. But today, Baby Boomers and Gen Xers are flipping the script. Armed with equity, experience, and independence, these generations are reshaping what it means to grow older, and real estate is playing a powerful role in their plans. They are one of the largest segments of buyers and sellers according to the National Association of Realtors.  

So, this isn’t your parents’ retirement!

The idea of “aging in place” has taken on a new energy. No longer a passive decision, it’s an intentional strategy—one that allows retirees to customize how and where they live, while preserving wealth and independence. Home is no longer just a place to live; it’s a tool for funding longevity, supporting lifestyle upgrades, or investing in multigenerational living.

As Jessica Lautz of NAR notes, homes are now dynamic assets—resources that can be leveraged to support medical care, supplement income, or provide a financial cushion in uncertain times. This shift opens doors to a host of smart real estate moves: rightsizing rather than downsizing, investing in accessibility renovations, or relocating to tax-friendly, amenity-rich communities.

But navigating these choices requires more than just market knowledge—it calls for proactive planning. Financial advisors, working in tandem with real estate professionals, are essential in helping clients identify how their housing wealth can work in alignment with their overall retirement goals.

“Boomers are embracing the change and taking control of how they want to age,” says Felicia Saraceno, Senior Living Expert and REALTOR®. “They don’t want to be a burden to their children. They’re making smart, empowered decisions now to preserve independence, stay in control, and design a future on their own terms.”

From leveraging home equity for in-home care to cashing out and reinvesting in lifestyle-enhancing properties, Boomers and Gen Xers are proving that retirement isn’t about slowing down—it’s about evolving forward with confidence and clarity.

The NAR research also shows that: 

• Fifty-eight percent of Gen X homebuyers were married couples, providing them with dual incomes.

• Generation X buyers were the most likely to purchase a multigenerational home at 19% and also were most likely to purchase a home for a job relocation or move.

• Baby Boomers purchased for an array of reasons — primarily, the desire to be closer to friends and family due to retirement and the desire for a smaller home.

• Younger and older Boomers were likelier than others to purchase in a small town, and younger Boomers were the most likely to purchase in rural areas.

• Younger Boomers expect to own their homes for the longest period of time at 20 years, and older Boomers purchased the newest homes on average.

But here are 3 Ways Financial Advisors Can Help Clients Develop a Retirement Housing Strategy

1. Integrate Housing Wealth into Retirement Projections

   Advisors can help clients evaluate the role of home equity in sustaining retirement income, whether through downsizing, renting out property, or considering a reverse mortgage as part of a broader financial plan.

2. Plan for Healthcare and Aging-in-Place Modifications

   Housing choices should anticipate future care needs. Advisors can encourage clients to invest early in accessible home modifications or factor in the cost of transitioning to assisted living or memory care communities.

3. Facilitate Cross-Professional Collaboration

   Connecting clients with trusted real estate experts, senior living specialists, and estate planners ensures that every aspect of housing, from legal protections to lifestyle preferences, is covered comprehensively.

Having a professional help provide a three hundred and sixty degree view of what retirement could look like can be extremely beneficial. Our team of experts is ready to answer any questions for these trusted professionals. 

If you're interested in learning more about the services available to assist you, feel free to connect with us at 941-275-2914 or visit https://linktr.ee/NaplesParadiseLiving.

Read more: https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/retirement-living-baby-boomers-and-gen-x