The aging Baby Boomer was clearly on the mind of Home Builders this year as they gathered in Dallas for their annual convention, with a couple of companies introducing inexpensive, pre-fab homes that will make it easier than ever for the 55+ year old to enjoy a second, or even third home in the exotic locations of his or her choice.

One home introduced by Owens Corning, the American Cottage Thinking System Home, had a 500-square-foot footprint and could be easily "installed" as a permanent home at a beach, beside a golf course or even in a mountainous setting. Depending on amenities, the price tag could range from $50,000 to $70,000, excluding land.

Another home, introduced by Champion Enterprises, also is factory built and assembled onsite. Prices for the "Target 2000 Developer Series" will range from $49,000 to $99,000, excluding land. The plans range from a 1,246 square foot model to a 2,624 square foot home.

Installation, says Champion, would cost about $40.30 per square foot in the Dallas market, compared to about $80 per square foot for a similar site-built home in Dallas.

Both Champion and Owens Corning, and other companies as well, are moving to capitalize on what they feel will be a housing boom among young retiree in the coming years. Second and even third vacation homes will become increasing popular.

"We are bringing big ideas in home building to a smaller stage," said Lynne Hartzell, director of marketing for Owens Corning's North America Building Materials. "This home delivers the high standards of construction and performance buyers expect in a luxury home, but on a scale that is ideal for baby boomers who want one or more vacation and retirement getaways."

Added Champion CEO Walter Young Jr., "We focused on the top three factors influencing home selection for consumers age 43 to 53 -- price, floor plan and quality. The result is affordable alternatives to on-site construction for consumers -- homes with all the qualities of a conventionally built house with the efficiencies of a factory-built one."

As baby boomers enter their 50s, builders are expecting them to take advantage of their lofty economic status by retiring early and purchasing second homes.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, there were nearly 2.5 million vacation homes in the United States in 1997, including more than 400,000 timeshares. The typical owner is 55 years old and spends an average of 20 nights a year in their vacation home.

Also See:

Published: January 18, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.