The flood of new homebuyers in the 55-and-over market is adding green to the coffers of North Texas builders, but builders wooing boomers have fueled residential construction for decades. 

Unlike millennials, 80 percent of the baby boomer generation were homeowners by age 30. As careers and families grew, boomers stayed at the top of the buyers’ market by progressively upsizing to bigger and better houses.

Boomer buyers have now gone full-circle. Since becoming empty nesters, many are downsizing from those larger, more expensive homes. But they aren’t downsizing their buying habits. 

In contrast to millennials who typically opt for median-priced previously-owned homes, a significant number of buyers in the 55+ group still prefer that new home feel, and they have the money to pay for it, which keeps them in the crosshairs of homebuilders. 

According to the National Association of Home Builders, potential buyers in the 55-and-over demographic is at an all-time high. Last year, boomers accounted for 38 percent of all U.S. homebuyers, and the trend is projected to continue for at least another decade. 

In Dallas-Fort Worth, 25 percent of the metro population is 50-and-over, and within five years, the census will add another 188,000 prospective homebuyers to that age group. Despite this robust housing demand, the buying trend of older prospects has taken a sharp turn. Instead of retreating to traditional seniors-only communities, today’s still vibrant active adults are gravitating more toward neighborhoods designed for the 55-and-older crowd in booming new master-planned developments. 

Ted Wilson, housing analyst with Residential Strategies, told the Dallas Morning News: “There has been a complete rethinking on how to approach these buyers. It used to be golf courses and millions of dollars for amenity centers. Now it's about being close to the grandkids and being part of a bigger community."

Consequently, neighborhoods for active seniors are cropping up in some of the hottest master-planned communities in North Texas. 

Photo courtesy of Union Park

Viridian Elements in Arlington

Viridian in Arlington is one of the largest master-planned communities in North Texas. More than 1,500 residents already call this 2,000-acre development home, and one of the newest subdivisions on the drawing board is Viridian Elements, a 55+ neighborhood with 500 courtyard and single-family homes on 141 acres.

Builders include David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, and CalAtlantic Homes, and prices will start in the upper $200,000s to lower $300,000s range. Model homes are slated to open late this year.

In addition to an infinity pool, putting green, bocce ball court, and pickle ball courts, the neighborhood will have its own residents-only amenity center with a fitness center, demonstration kitchen, pool and game tables, and meeting facility. 

Sweetwater at Light Farms in Celina

Light Farms, a 1,070-acre development in Celina, is already home to about 1,000 families. This summer, it will diversify the population by opening its Sweetwater subdivision for older active adults and empty nesters, which will include 170 single-story homes built by Taylor Morrison.

Aside from 240 acres of parks and greenspace, a recreational lake, and hiking and biking trails in the greater community, the Sweetwater neighborhood will include its own amenity center, swimming pool, and lifestyle coach.

Located north of Plano in Collin County, Sweetwater is minutes from shopping, dining, entertainment, and employment centers. 

Windsong Ranch in Prosper

Though Windsong Ranch doesn’t offer a designated neighborhood for residents 55-and-older, the community’s Villa Townhome neighborhood is mostly populated by older active buyers who have downsized. Built by Grenadier Homes, townhomes come in three one-story floorplans ranging from 1,301 to 2,286 square feet with prices starting in the upper $200,000s. 

According to Anthony Natale, co-founder of Grenadier Homes, his firm is attracting older out-of-state buyers who want to live close to their kids and grandkids in nearby neighborhoods.

In addition to parks and a two-acre lake, amenities include a lagoon, resort-style pool, tennis courts, fitness center, and event lawn as well as the on-site Windsong Ranch Cafe. Located at the crossroads of Collin and Denton County in Prosper, Windsong offers easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment venues in Denton, Plano, Frisco, and McKinney.

Union Park in Little Elm

Del Webb, the nation’s largest builder of 55+ housing and a Pulte Group subsidiary, is building 600 new homes for older active adults in Hillwood Communities’ Union Park master-planned development. Located on U.S. Highway 380 in the Denton County town of Little Elm, the first phase of the 120-acre neighborhood is scheduled for completion this year with prices ranging from the upper $200,000s to high $300,000s.

Del Webb also operates the Frisco Lakes active adult community in nearby Frisco as well as four others throughout Texas.