This is what baby boomers look for in an apartment

Downsizers want less space and more extras as they transition from the five-bed home.

When all the children move out and the five-bedroom house that used to be cramped now suddenly feels like an empty castle, it's time to downsize.

Baby boomers often change their lifestyle and downsize to city fringe apartments but what is it exactly they are looking for?

Auckland real estate agent Ross Hawkins says the change of lifestyle for boomers is driving the increased demand for apartments and townhouses.

People prefer not to spend their weekends taking care of their property, he says, and would rather lock up and leave.

Hawkins, who works for Ray White in an area of Auckland that's teaming with boomers, says: “We used to mow our lawn at the weekends and do the gardening but now people want to spend their leisure time away from the house, so they don’t want to hold onto high-maintenance properties."

When it comes to location, boomers want to be close to public transport, parks and a mall or development for a one-stop shop within walking distance. But even though good public transport links are a must, downsizers don't want to give up their motor, with a secure car park high on the list of things they look for in a property.

Lots of storage is also essential when downsizing as it’s challenging to fit everything that used to fit into a five-bedroom family home into a much smaller space.

Hawkins says an elevator is another must as it is a way to future-proof your home as you get older. Even in a two-storey building, downsizers prefer to use the lift when they have bad knees or just want to easily carry groceries upstairs.

Downsizers who used to have a tennis court, a library and a cinema at their home are often not ready to give up those extras up.

In an apartment block, boomers want the same luxuries and will pay extra for someone else to clean the pool and take care of cleaning the common areas.

“Having a family home, you have to look after your swimming pool, sweep the leaves off the tennis court and you don’t have to do that when you live in an apartment block that has all those amenities.”

Many downsizers don't like saying goodbye to their garden and outdoor spaces so apartments that offer a big balcony for potted plants and outside entertainment will always have an advantage over those that don't.

Boomers love the modern technology and wireless systems and often look for a smart home which they can operate while off-site, Hawkins says.

“It’s surprisingly simple and you can control everything sitting in front of your TV with a touch of a button. It’s the way of the future - if you want lights to come on so it looks like you are home when you are at the beach or put a heating system on so when you arrive home, it’s warm.”

Downsizers also keen to find properties with charging stations in the car park or garages.

Pene Milne, from New Zealand Sotheby's International Realty, says every boomer has different requirements when downsizing.

“There are different layers that add to that luxury lifestyle. Some people want to have those extra facilities, others are happy without it – they go out to get that externally,” she says.

Boomers used to sell their family beach house and downsize but now they are keeping the beach house. “They now prefer to keep the lifestyle option for the family to stop by but are still busy professional people,” she says.