This post sponsored by Boral Bricks.

When it comes to home design, homeowners don’t want limits; they want options. That is why Boral® is committed to offering more choices and solutions. Now builders and homeowners alike can turn to the new Boral Building Products, formerly Boral Bricks Direct, for all of their exterior finishing and outdoor living needs. From siding like brick, manufactured stone, EIFS and stucco and fiber cement siding, to hardscapes, such as pavers, fireplaces and retaining walls, Boral Building Products has the selection to suit any design tastes.

For its stylish appearance, low maintenance and durability, brick continues to be a classic option for homeowners and a key component of the Boral® offering. In fact, a recent study shows that 90 percent of homeowners find brick appealing. And, with a wide range of colors, styles and textures, brick offers a distinctive elegance that can help create the ultimate dream home.

When your design calls for other exterior siding options, Boral Building Products can now help you address your Fiber Cement and EIFS and stucco siding needs. We are able to meet your shake, lap siding, soffit and trim board needs with a full line of Nichiha products and your EIFS and stucco needs with BASF’s line of high quality Finestone wall systems and finishes.

To further customize any home exterior or outdoor space, or add charm to fireplaces, columns, planter boxes, and retaining walls, Boral offers Cultured Stone®, the preferred name in thin veneer stone. Cultured Stone products offer a natural stone look without the installation hassle and weight. A Builder Magazine’s study has recognized Cultured Stone as the number one manufactured stone brand for 12 years running. Available in more than 21 textures and over 100 colors, the design options are limitless.

With FireRock Fireplaces, one of the leading pre-engineered masonry fireplace systems, Boral helps address the entire spectrum of outdoor living design, providing homeowners a way to enjoy the outdoors for many months throughout the year. FireRock’s collection of fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor ovens are recognized for performance and design flexibility.

In addition to Boral’s beautiful clay pavers, the offering now extends to Calstar’s line of environmentally responsible pavers, which offer a reduction in energy footprint without sacrificing any of the performance.

Whether homeowners want a classic brick home, stucco, fiber cement or are interested in a home with multiple cladding options, Boral Building Products offers the products you’ll need to create and customize a beautiful home and outdoor living space. Boral has five locations across Metro Atlanta. Visit www.boralbricks.com and look for the “Boral Building Products” navigation button or call 678-625-4051 for more information. or call 678-625-4051 for more information.

Provided by Anresa Davis of Park Springs

Recently the Atlanta Journal Constitution posted this article on the “graying of Atlanta.” Please enjoy.

The Atlanta “over 65” population grew by 44% between 2000 and 2010! Nationally, the growth was only 13%. The “baby boomers” are becoming “senior citizens” and older adults are living longer. That means a lot of people will need a multitude of services now and for the long forseeable future.

This poses the question: how do we prepare to meet the current 65+ needs/desires and also be ready to faces changing needs/desires when this group is 80+? Physical changes lead to social changes, such as, decreased vision may mean loss of driving privledges. Is your business ready to change with them?

This situation begs attention from every aspect of wellness and will need the cooperation from everyone involved in offering products and services. There is not a “one size fits all” answer, and, gratefully, metro Atlanta has the talent and resources to craft a plan that will work for the good of today’s and tomorrow’s older adults. How will you and your business participate?

Anresa Davis
Senior Residency Counselor
Park Springs
anresadavis@parksprings.com
www.parksprings.com

This post provided by Gilbert & Sheppard Group

Builder confidence in the 55+ housing market was markedly more upbeat in the first quarter of 2011 for apartment production and demand than for sales of single-family or condominium homes, according to a new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

The NAHB’s expected demand index for 55+ multifamily rental units rose 10 points, to 44, from a year earlier, while the 55+ Housing Market Indices for single-family units and condos declined 2 and 3 points, down to 17 and 8, respectively.

“Builders in the 55+ market are still finding that some customers are hesitant to buy,” said Ken Simons, a New Jersey developer and chair of the NAHB 50+ Housing Council Board of Trustees. “Many prospective 55+ buyers are having trouble selling their existing homes, a problem often made worse by low appraisals.”

The 55+ single-family HMI measures builder sentiment based on current sales, prospective buyer traffic and anticipated six-month sales for that market. A number greater than 50 indicates that more builders view conditions as good than poor. Among the index components, present sales dropped two points, to 15. Expected sales (six months into the future) dropped six points, to 24. And traffic of prospective buyers fell one point, to 17.

The 55+ multifamily condo HMI also showed weakness, with an index level of 8, down from 11 at the beginning of 2010. All three index components – current sales, expected sales and buyer traffic – declined during this period.

In contrast, indices of current and expected production of 55+ apartments gained 7 and 8 points, up to 20 and 27, respectively, in the first quarter of 2011. The index measuring current demand jumped 11 points, up to 39.

“The increased sense of optimism in the 55+ multifamily rental market is a welcome sign and consistent with other indicators of relative strength in rental housing markets,” said NAHB’s Chief Economist, David Crowe.

“Builder responses also indicate that demand for existing 55+ rental apartments is running ahead of production. A shortage may even emerge in that segment of the market, if pent-up demand emerges quickly but builders’ inability to access credit continues,” he said.

The 55+ Housing Market Index is a quarterly report issued by the NAHB Economics and Housing Policy Group that tracks expectations of present and projected demand based on sales, traffic and market conditions.

(via NAHB)

Steve Romeyn – Windsong Properties, LLC

At a recent social event, I (age 61) had the following conversation with Margot, age 61.

Margot – What do you do for a living?

Steve- I develop communities and build homes for Active Adults.

Margot – What is an “Active Adult”?

Steve- That would be us! Empty nesters, over the age of 55, who would like to downsize into a ranch home where someone will do the yardwork, and where we can be in relationship with other folks with whom we have something in common.

Margot – Well that certainly describes me, but I’m a Baby Boomer! The term Active Adult doesn’t mean anything to me.

Steve – That was dreamed up by developers who wanted to distinguish themselves from Retirement communities. They thought Retirement sounded too old!

Margot – If you were involved in the Vietnam War, were aware of the “Summer of Love” (1967) or Woodstock (1969) then you are probably a Baby Boomer. And if you were born before 1946, you don’t mind being mistaken for a Baby Boomer. I think your marketing is confusing and missing your target market.

–Baby Boomer has always been the label applied to people born between 1946 and 1964. We accept this label with pride. It does not sound old, or retired, or anything else. It is us, who we are. Should our industry rebrand ourselves? How about it – 50+ Member – why don’t we shift the terminology and ‘call a spade a spade?’

This post sponsored by Boral Bricks.

The beauty of a home often extends beyond its walls and into its outdoor living spaces. Many homeowners today look to create an outdoor retreat where they can rest, relax and spend time entertaining family and friends.

Not only do outdoor living spaces give homeowners a place to unwind, but they can also help increase the value and usable square footage of a home. With the multitude of hardscape products and accessories available, designing a dream room outdoors is only limited by space, budget and the imagination. Boral can provide many of the products that can bring that design to life. Rich clay pavers, welcoming fireplaces and elegant stone are a few examples.

The rich warm color of Boral® clay pavers creates an inviting stage for any outdoor room. This classic option is low maintenance, durable and will not fade. These attributes allow homeowners more time to enjoy the space and less time worrying about upkeep. The nine color choices offer an attractive foundation in which to build the functional elements that will define how the space is used.

FireRock Fireplaces, one of the leading pre-engineered masonry fireplace systems, provide an affordable way to extend the time spent in the outdoor space seasonally. Their collection of Fireplaces, Fire Pits and Outdoor Ovens are recognized for performance and design flexibility. Through the selection of a stone, brick, or stucco façade, all of these products can be tailored to fit the design.

One can add character to fireplaces, columns, planter boxes, and retaining walls with the preferred name in thin veneer stone, Cultured Stone®. These products offer a natural stone look without the installation hassle and weight. Available in more than 21 textures and over 100 colors, Cultured Stone® provides limitless design options.

Whether you are looking to offer homeowners a cozy place for outdoor reading or an extravagant outdoor entertainment spot for the whole family, Boral offers many of the products you’ll need to create a beautiful, extended living space. Boral has five locations across Metro Atlanta. For more information call 678-625-4051 or visit www.boralbricks.com.