A former sales manager in the active adult housing industry has launched a website that helps prospective buyers research and compare age-restricted communities around the U.S. 55Places.com showcases more than 50 active retirement communities throughout 11 popular retirement states. The site includes community descriptions, pricing and association fees, photos and lists of  about amenities and social clubs. The site claims to offer “objective independent reviews of all active adult communities,” including both new and “resale” developments. The founder is Bill Ness a former sales manager for Del Webb Corporation, the largest developer of active adult communities in the country.

Rising demand for health care services from aging Boomers will drive growth in medically-related real estate over the next decade, according to a Grubb & Ellis study. The report forecasts that medical properties will out-perform all other categories of commercial real estate in the years ahead:

“Medical office space is already outpacing traditional office space as
measured by asking rental rates. From 2000 to 2007, asking rental rates for
medical office space grew an average of 2.8 percent per year on average,
while rents for traditional office product grew an average of 1.3 percent,
according to Grubb & Ellis.

“The growing demand for medical services has kept healthcare
construction booming. Norcross, Ga.-based Reed Construction Data reports
that monthly spending on healthcare construction is 20 percent higher than
a year ago.”

The study notes a recent trend away from use of hospital beds in favor of outpatient services, and strong venture capital flows into the health care industry. Download the full report here.

The rising expense of long-term care for aging Baby Boomers will have a sharp impacat on the senior housing industry, according to new  analysis by the National Investment Center.  According to National Real Estate Investor, key conclusions include:

• Nearly 70 percent of Americans will need some form of long-term care;
• The number of people with disabilities will increase substantially;
• Demand for long-term care services will double by 2040;
• The rising price of services will impact expenditures;
• The ability of older people to pay for their own care will improve, with fewer people relying on Medicaid;
• No more than 20 percent of older people will have private long-term care insurance because of the high cost.

The study also looks at shifting patterns of care, especially the rise of assisted living and in-home care. The nursing home business is especially vulnerable as these changes accelerate.

The Center  focuses on research and education in the senior housing industry.

A national survey suggests Boomers may be too optimistic about using the equity in their homes to fund retirement. Bell Investment Advisors, which commissioned the survey, reports that 68 percent of Boomers consider their homes a retirement asset. And here’s the most worrisome statistic:

Of those who count their homes as a retirement asset, one in four (24%) say it represents half or more of their retirement savings. “The problem with treating their residence as a retirement asset is that Boomers must move to realize any value from their homes,” said Jim Bell, the company’s president. “Additionally, they may not be able to sell their homes when they want to or for the price they want, which may alter their retirement plans.”

Other key findings:

• Most Boomers expect to keep working past traditional retirement age, but the type of work will be dictated by financial need. Those who consider themselves well-funded plan to pursue personal passions
• One in four Boomers believe they have sufficient funds to retire, but will need to reduce their spending in retirement.

The Brookings Institution published a study this week projecting growth of older populations in the U.S. in the years ahead. Drawing primarily on U.S. Census data, the study has just about anything you want to know about the demographic Brookings dubs “pre-seniors”–Boomers age 55-64. Highlights:

• Pre-seniors will be the fastest-growing group in the U.S. through 2010, expanding nearly 50 percent in size.
• Fastest growth will occur in the Western U.S. in a diverse range of locations, ranging from larger cities like Las Vegas to smaller towns and counties.
• “Yuppie Senior” populations will surge in big cities like Las Vegas, Denver, Dallas and Atlanta, fueled by high net worth, professional occupations and interests
• Aging in place will be a key growth driver, especially in states like Georgia
• Suburbs in major cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and Los Angeles will become considerably older in their population mix. However, author William H. Frey acknowledges this trend could be affected in Boomers decide to leave the suburbs and move into cities.

Nothing too surprising here, but there’s a great deal of interesting detail, especially very detailed and useful charts projecting population growth nationally by city, county and state.. Get your copy here [pdf file].

Most often, it’s not about a warm climate. According to a study released today by the Continental Automated Buildings Association, the most important motivator is a more accommodating floor layout. CABA is an industry trade group focused on home automation and technology. The study, by the group’s Internet Home Alliance Research Council, identifies the solutions homeowners over the age of 50 want in a new home to feel safe, comfortable and living independently as they age. In terms of technology, the survey documents already-high penetration rates for internet access, with 65 percent reporting that they have broadband. About half have gourmet kitchens Just 10 percent have home theatres, and 8 percent are equipped with exercise rooms. More information on the survey is here.