There seems to be a disconnect between custom builders and 55+ builders, this despite the fact that a great deal of custom homes are built for people over 55. A custom builder may build a beautiful home, but they may not be attuned to the features that make a 55+ home perfect for their buyers. “Just a ranch plan with big doors,” one builder told me. On the other hand, production 55+ builders have great standard 55+ features, but don’t ask them to do anything custom or build outside their communities.
The Housing Design Matters blog calls out the features in Falcon Rest, a custom home built near the Blue Rdge Mountains for 55+ buyers. Among the amenities for the home that pre-retirement residents can age gracefully in are his and her first-floor home office, ample lighting, accommodations for pets and visiting grandchildren, and outdoor living among others.