In part 3 of 4 with Dan O’Brien, area president for Shea Homes’ Trilogy communities, talks to The Real Story about the Baby Boomers, who are now entering retirement age, if not retirement attitude. These new recruits to active adult living are changing the way communities are designed and how homes are built. They are looking at ways to green up their lives, and reduced energy use at home is a must. As a result, Dan says, Shea is building homes that are about 60 percent more energy efficient than those built just a decade ago—and about 15 percent more than the new energy codes.

The science of building has evolved so much that features like solar-ready options, tankless water heaters and attic fans to evacuate the hottest air in the house, giving the air-conditioning system a more efficient way to run, are now considered to be the next wave of energy efficiency. Lowering one’s carbon footprint while lowering the PG&E bill is a discussion that the Boomers are interested in pursuing while looking at their new home choices.

Listen to the podcast here.

In part 2 of 4 with Dan O’Brien, president of Shea Homes’ Trilogy communities in Northern California, he reminds us that earlier retirement living models were based on a scheduling format not unlike a cruise ship—with activities tightly planned and scheduled. The Boomer outlook calls for more flexibility, more choice, and more connection with the world outside of the boundaries of their community.

The Boomers are the first retirement generation adept at using the Internet, making them the most connected retirees in history. How will they redefine retirement through constant interaction with the world that is literally at their fingertips?

Listen to the podcast here.

The Real Story talks with Dan O’Brien, President of Shea Homes’ Trilogy communities in Northern California. The subject? How the Boomer generation is changing the way that “active adult” living is defined—and how the home is just part of the equation.

The Boomer moving out of the family home and into active adult living is turning the conception of “senior housing” on its ear. For one thing, says Dan, only 10 percent of the residents of his Trilogy at the Vineyards community in Brentwood are actually retired. About 50 percent of the residents are still working in their careers; another 40 percent are starting new businesses, pursuing different career or interest paths. “These Boomers are not retiring”, says Dan. “They’re rewiring.”

Coming to Shea Trilogy from a career in homebuilding and active adult community development with Del Webb, Dan says that Shea has had to throw away old conceptions about product and lifestyle and create a series of new paths that involve exploration, including self-improvement, connection, and wellness and well-being. Sounds like a far cry from shuffleboard.

Listen to the podcast here.

The Washington Post reported May 27th that April new home sales rose an unexpected 14.8%, which is 47.8% up from the same period last year. Economists said the report reflects the impact of low mortgage rates and falling home prices, which have made a home purchase cheaper for many potential buyers. Also fueling the sales were expiring tax credits.

Read the Full Article.

California lawmakers have come to the aid of home buyers with a new tax credit up to $10,000! It’s available to anyone who purchases a brand-new home, not just first-time buyers, and there are no income limitations*.

• Act soon – before state funding runs out. Buy now and you may qualify for the California tax credit of up to $10,000. These credits will run out fast – the last state credit was gone in less than 90 days! Get your reservation in now. That’s up to $10,000 in tax credit savings!

• Double your savings only at Trilogy. Get an additional $10,000 in seller incentives on top of the tax credits. That’s up to $20,000 in total savings!

Give yourself some credit by calling 800-685-6494 or by visiting any of our California locations to reserve your savings today!

“Builders are more comfortable that the market is truly beginning to recover, and that positive factors for buying a new home — low interest rates, great selection, stabilizing prices and a recovering job market — are taking the place of tax incentives to generate buyer demand,” said David Crowe, the The National Association of Home Builders’ chief economist.

Sales of new homes rose 27 percent in March, the biggest monthly increase in 47 years.

Read the full story.

A little over 2,300 square feet, the Asti brings to mind those bygone days of luxurious entertaining. You can carry on the tradition with two separate living and dining areas that let you choose where and how you’d like to play host.

In addition, this home has other spectacular features:

• Golf Course Homesite

• Courtyard with Fireplace

• Upgraded Cabinets, Flooring and Countertops

• 3 Car Garage

• Great Room Fireplace

• Closet Organizing System

Call 707-374-1000 today to schedule an appointment to view this home.

Even as prospects for the American economy brighten, consumers are about to face a new financial burden: a sustained period of rising interest rates.

That, economists say, is the inevitable outcome of the nation’s ballooning debt and the renewed prospect of inflation as the economy recovers from the depths of the recent recession.

The shift is sure to come as a shock to consumers whose spending habits were shaped by a historic 30-year decline in the cost of borrowing.

“Americans have assumed the roller coaster goes one way,” said Bill Gross, whose investment firm, Pimco, has taken part in a broad sell-off of government debt, which has pushed up interest rates. “It’s been a great thrill as rates descended, but now we face an extended climb.”

The impact of higher rates is likely to be felt first in the housing market, which has only recently begun to rebound from a deep slump. The rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage has risen half a point since December, hitting 5.31 last week, the highest level since last summer.

Read the rest of the article here.