Latest news with #Boomers
Herald Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Herald Sun
Modest Williamstown home sells for $5m
A Williamstown home has changed hands for $5m, making it the highest residential sale in the bayside suburb so far this year. The four-bedroom property at 38 Hanmer St crack the $5m mark, where a comparable property recently sold for $4.6m. The home was combined with an architect-designed two-bedroom residence built from a converted garage during the Covid pandemic. RELATED: Call to give Boomers $1m housing tax cut Future of $150m Docklands project revealed Grim truth about Vic's noisiest suburbs The Agency Williamstown's Noah Lautman-Wurt said it was the flexible second dwelling that helped elevate interest beyond the usual premium benchmark. 'The front house had already been renovated to a very high standard, but the rear dwelling really offered that extra layer of flexibility that's so rare, whether for multigenerational living, renting out, or guests,' Mr Lautman-Wurt said. Designed by Roam Architects, the rear home — dubbed the 'Small House' — includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sculptural ceilings, a full kitchen and private courtyard, with Murphy bed functionality and adaptable zones that can serve as a home office, guest wing or teen retreat. Built by the owner, a local builder who had lived in the property for more than a decade, it was originally a garage before being transformed during Melbourne's Covid lockdowns. Mr Lautman-Wurt said the level of finish and maintenance across both dwellings gave buyers added confidence. 'It gave buyers confidence, this wasn't a cosmetic update or a flip,' he said. The Agency agent confirmed the home had sold to a local family who were drawn to the lifestyle and separation the layout allowed, particularly for ageing parents or older children still living at home. The front home retains its period character with high ceilings, ornate details and a skylit ensuite, but adds a freestanding tub, a solar-heated pool and spa, hydronic heating and stone finishes throughout, including an oversized family kitchen. Mr Lautman-Wurt said the campaign had been emotional for the sellers, who had raised their children in the home and lived in both dwellings across different seasons of life. 'The energy in the house was beautiful,' he said. He added the $5m result reflected continued strength in Williamstown's prestige market, with a small pool of buyers waiting for standout homes with land, heritage and modern liveability. 'There's always been a group of buyers waiting for the right home at this level, and they're willing to act when something like this comes up,' he said. The sellers are now downsizing, with the sale paving the way for their next chapter. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Scott Cam slams 'whingeing' Block couples Abandoned house beats price hopes at auction Iconic Melb barber shop hits market after 60 years
The Sun
a day ago
- General
- The Sun
From dial-up to glow-up
AH, the generation gap. That mystical space-time distortion where logic disappears, sarcasm kena tangkap polis and someone is always yelling 'Where's the remote?!' while sitting on it like it is a throne. Gather the whole Malaysian family and suddenly it is like shoving five drama channels into one Astro decoder. One atuk is reliving Konfrontasi, one niece is crying because her TikTok only got 12 likes and someone is trying to connect to the WiFi like it is a life-support machine. Let Makcik break it down for you – generation by generation – with cili api, no-filter truth and proper birth years so no one can pretend: 'Eh? Bukan I.' Yes, you. Especially you. Baby boomers (1946–1964): Tupperware tacticians and WhatsApp warriors Boomers are Malaysia's OG superheroes. They survived rationing, curfews, 14 general elections and three different government logos – all while reusing the same ice cream tub for sambal since 1986. They don't trust GPS – they are the GPS. 'Nak ke pasar? Senang je. Belok kanan lepas rumah arwah Mak Timah, pastu nampak pokok jambu, belok kiri. Kalau sampai longkang, dah salah.' They believe Tiger Balm can cure heartbreak, gout and GST trauma. But try teaching them how to scan QR codes – suddenly become blur, pening and password goes missing. Favourite quote: 'Zaman kami dulu, semua boleh settle dengan rotan dan kuih kapit.' Mood: Forwarded many times. Believe it or die. Generation X (1965–1980): The silent sufferers with slipper accuracy Ah, Gen X. The forgotten middle child of the generation family tree. This is Makcik's generation. We survived without Google, got our gossip from Majalah URTV and played mix tapes we painstakingly recorded off the radio – complete with DJ interruptions. We were the first computer users – the computers that went peeeoooww kwekkkk krak krak when logging into the internet. One email took 10 minutes and made the house sound like a spaceship docking. Now? We are the default tech support, chauffeur, emergency contact and family group admin. Sandwiched between cranky Boomers and emotionally complex Gen Zs. Still using Hotmail, won't throw out that one perfectly functional Nokia phone and still not sure how we ended up paying for everything. Anthem: 'Let me finish this email, then I'll fix the toilet, water the plants, pay bills and scream into a pillow.' Catchphrase: 'We didn't talk about mental health; we had chores and teh o ais limau.' Millennials (1981–1996): High hopes, low bank balance and premium burnout These poor souls were told to chase the dream. Now they are chasing Grab drivers because 'alamat tak betul'. They grew up during Y2K, Britney and dial-up – and now, they cry every time Shopee has a sale because... money mana? They have turned their trauma into Twitter threads, their side hustle into a full-time grind and straight into burnout. Still nostalgic about RM1 nasi lemak and waiting to afford property that is not beside a monsoon drain. Mood: Tired but aesthetic. Catchphrase: 'I just want to be a plant. No thoughts, just sunlight.' Generation Z (1997–2012): Emotionally fluent, logically fried Some were born before the internet exploded, some during the WiFi boom but all raised by TikTok and fuelled by Bubble Tea. These children are chronically online and emotionally aware but also cannot fill up a LHDN borang without spiralling. They use words like 'vibe check' and 'toxic' in conversations with their cat. They know their attachment style, birth chart and Spotify Wrapped but not their IC number. Ask them to make a phone call? Panic attack. Ask them to speak in public? Immediate respiratory collapse. But they will post a two-minute crying video on TikTok with perfect lighting and Comic Sans captions. Mantra: 'Protect your peace. Block your uncle.' Weakness: Slow WiFi, clingy boomers and being tagged in a 2009 Facebook photo. Generation Alpha (2013 onwards): The touchscreen tyrants in Crocs Tiny hands. Mega attitude. These are the iPad generals of the household. Don't be fooled by their innocent Crocs. These children are trained negotiators with volume levels that can reset your nervous system. They don't 'watch' television. They command it: 'Skip ad, change channel, play next.' Your remote? They have changed the settings. Your Netflix? Now in Spanish. Their tantrums? Full surround sound, complete with special effects. Their attention span? Shorter than the Astro ad skip button. YouTube is their religion. Google is their teacher. And if you dare say 'no more tablet', they will look at you like you just cancelled Raya. Catchphrase: 'I'm not sleepy!' while snoring in mid-scream. Power move: Accidentally ordering McDonald's and blaming Siri. So, what now, Malaysia? Peace treaty or sambal belacan showdown? Boomers are yelling, Gen X is groaning, Millennials are spiralling, Gen Z is ghosting and Alpha is screaming like a banshee possessed by Spongebob. But deep down, there is love – a messy, spicy, passive-aggressive type of love. It is the Malaysian kind – the 'nah, eat this' and 'you've gained weight but I bought your favourite kuih' type. Want peace? Here is the deal: - Boomers: Stop forwarding videos with 'Sila sebarkan' like it is wartime propaganda. - Gen X: Change your password from '12345678'. Even your cat knows it. - Millennials: You don't need to turn every crisis into a Canva quote. Just nap. - Gen Z: Not everyone is gaslighting you. Some people are just socially awkward. - Alpha: Sit down. Be quiet. Eat the nuggets. It is still chicken. And when all else fails? Turn off the WiFi. Like moth to a flame, they will all gather in the living room, blinking in confusion and ready to talk like it is 1995.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Boomers are sitting on nearly $19 trillion in real estate — here's where they hold the most housing health
Advertisement Baby boomers are sitting on a staggering amount of housing wealth—across the U.S., they own an estimated $18 trillion to $19 trillion worth of real estate. Boomers now hold nearly half of the nation's real estate wealth. This is a direct reflection of decades of homeownership, rising property values, and the generational shift that is now reshaping the housing market. But, where exactly is that wealth concentrated? A new analysis reveals that while boomers—those born between 1946 and 1964—have planted roots across the country, a handful of metro areas stand out as hotbeds for retiree real estate wealth. Unsurprisingly, Florida dominates the list, claiming five of the top 10 spots. Advertisement 7 Baby Boomers own an estimated $18 trillion to $19 trillion worth of real estate. 7 Boomers now hold nearly half of the nation's real estate wealth. Syda Productions – The Sunshine State offers warm weather, no state income tax, and a lifestyle that's long appealed to retirees—but other destinations, from coastal California to scenic New England, are also popular. The ranking combines three factors: the share of homeowners aged 65 and up, the total value of homes in each market, and the estimated value held by older residents. The result is a snapshot of where retirees aren't just living—but where they're holding some of the most valuable pieces of the American housing pie. Advertisement The wealthiest retiree markets in America North Port-Bradenton, FL Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $97 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 56% Median home price: $495,000 In this metro, located in Sarasota and Manatee counties on the coast, more than half of homeowners are boomers. North Port isn't strictly a beach town; the metro includes miles of coastline and many other popular destinations such as Venice Beach. This means retirees have options: either direct access to the beach, or proximate access without having to pay some of the steeper prices that come with the territory. They also own an estimated $97 billion of the roughly $174 billion real estate value in this metro. 7 The Sunshine State offers warm weather, no state income tax, and a lifestyle that's long appealed to retirees. Vane Nunes – Advertisement 7 The ranking combines three factors: the share of homeowners aged 65 and up, the total value of homes in each market, and the estimated value held by older residents. Naples-Marco Island, FL Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $70 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 57% Median home price: $749,000 Also located on Florida's west coast, this area is known as the Sunshine State's Paradise Coast. It offers white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, and an abundance of outdoor activities, with more than 90 golf courses. With more homes within proximity to the water, the area has a higher price range, with the median list price of $749,000. The 65 and older age group owns about $70 billion out of the $122 billion real estate value in Naples-Marco Island. Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $54 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 47% Median home price: $995,000 Located roughly 40 miles north of San Francisco, this area is in Sonoma County, famed for its wine country and access to nature for active retirees. 'Santa Rosa as a whole is geared toward retirees,' Fermin Escutia, real estate agent at W Real Estate, tells 'Petaluma is the most affordable town north of San Francisco. The sizes of the homes are going to be smaller, but the draw is the small community feel with plenty of events.' Advertisement 7 Map of the U.S. showing top 10 metro areas where retirees hold the most real estate wealth. 7 Located roughly 40 miles north of San Francisco, this area is in Sonoma County, famed for its wine country and access to nature for active retirees. The scenic foggy metro comes at a cost, with a median list price of $995,000. Of the homeowners here, 47% are those aged 65 and up, and they hold roughly $54 billion of the $116 billion real estate value. Barnstable Town, MA (Cape Cod) Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $34 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 53% Median home price: $899,250 Advertisement The Cape Cod region has been a favorite destination among retirees for years, and many are drawn here by the coastal charm despite the chilly New England weather, as well as a slower pace outside the Boston area. 'The summers are beautiful here, and Barnstable has little hidden gems and local villages and charm you can't discover in just one weekend,' Deborah Garner, a real estate agent with Kinlin Grover Compass, tells 7 Of the homeowners here, 47% are those aged 65 and up, and they hold roughly $54 billion of the $116 billion real estate value. But soaking up this classic charm full time comes at a cost, with a median list price of $899,250. New listings are down 6.5% from a year ago, and new construction in the Northeast is less active than in some Southern and Midwestern states, resulting in fewer options available. Homeowners aged 65 and up accounted for $34 billion out of the $64 billion real estate value. 'There is a generational effect where property gets passed down and families find it hard to part with homes,' says Garner. Advertisement Every morning, the NY POSTcast offers a deep dive into the headlines with the Post's signature mix of politics, business, pop culture, true crime and everything in between. Subscribe here! Prescott-Prescott Valley, AZ Real estate value held by homeowners aged 65 and up: $27 billion Share of homeowners aged 65 and up: 58% Median home price: $669,000 In Arizona's Prescott-Prescott Valley market, those aged 65 and up own 58% of the homes. The Prescott area is known for its older demographic, with a median age of 60.3, while the Prescott Valley area tends to draw a younger crowd, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Arizona, as a state, is a popular destination for retirees, and Prescott-Prescott Valley offers a warm climate without the humidity found in Florida. Insurance costs are lower, too, due to the lack of hurricane threats. The median list price for the area comes in at $669,000, with those aged 65 and up owning $27 billion of the $47 billion real estate value.
Buzz Feed
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
22 Old-School Childhood Things That Don't Exist Anymore
Earlier this month, we asked members of the BuzzFeed Community, "What's something that was normal when you were a kid but probably never happens now?" Everyone from Boomers to elder Gen Z-ers chimmed in with the things they vividly remember from their owl childhoods that either a) would never fly today or b) simply went extinct. So, let's go down this nostalgic rabbit hole together, shall we? "Knowing the phone numbers of all friends and family by heart. And having the ability to hold a brief, polite conversation with a grown-up, prior to asking if (no nicknames when talking to parents) is home, please?!" —lucyec1980"Calling your friend's house and having to talk to their parent you'd pick up the chunky landline and be like:'Hi, um… can I talk to Isis?' 😳And their mom would be like, 'WHO'S THIS?'And you're just standing there sweating like you're applying for a job. 😭"—sharpwolf3045 "My mom used to send me and my sister into Target to get stuff we needed, like groceries and soap. This was when we were like ages 8 and 10. She wanted us to be independent! I never see unaccompanied children anywhere nowadays. My sister and I are 26 and 28 now." "'Be kind, Rewind.' Also, calling the movie theaters to find out what is playing and at what time." —bivvy92"Reading the newspaper to determine what new movies were playing and when."—kathyms "Indoor recess on rainy days in elementary school consisting of board games, coloring, library trips, etc." "Ice cream trucks. We used to have ice cream trucks that made regular routes in my childhood neighborhood and in my grandmother's neighborhood, where I spent a big chunk of my summers as a kid. The sheer excitement of scrounging up money and running down the street to get ice cream when we heard the music will always be one of my favorite childhood memories. It's a shame kids today will never share that excitement." —carpentermegann16 "Having a question or a thought and not being able to google the answer." "Being able to just air out our silly little problems on social media without having to deal with know-it-all randos dealing out shitty, unsolicited advice." "No one under 15 wearing makeup, name brands, or having a cell phone. I just became an adult, but I can honestly say those were the days. 🥲" —lilwolf4138"Actually having an awkward phase!"—wittymagazine967"Playing with your siblings and neighborhood friends for hours without being bored or worrying about what you looked like at all times."—tatertot "During the summer, riding my bike to the library and just READING. I miss that so much. The library's AC was amazing, and its water fountains were icy, so when I arrived sweaty from biking, it made the trip very much worth it. At home, we had a window box unit and tepid tap water! I did this by myself, as a kid. The library was about a mile away. No one questioned it; it was quite common. No longer." "My husband can't wrap his head around the fact that it's not necessary to record every single show he likes now. I've tried for years to show him where to find episodes that have already aired. Quit filling up the DVR, lol. We're old." —anyninjawould "My parents thought nothing of going out for dinner with friends, leaving my siblings and me at home alone. My sister was 8 when she started 'babysitting' my brother (6) and me (4). We had the phone number for the restaurant, but that was about it. Today, that would be seen as neglect!" "Having 'best looking' contests senior year for our high school yearbooks." —annaetienne "Looking for change in the phone booths and buying candy at the thrift store." "Using a card catalog to find books at the library." —mommamurph05 "Hearing a busy signal when calling a phone number." "Staying out all night in line for concert tickets. So fun!!" "Not being supervised by adults at all times. I would take the bus back from school on my own from the age of 8 or 9, stay home for hours until my mom got back, had my snacks..." —itsallinyrhead1"Leaving the house after eating cereal at 7 a.m. and not coming home (or having parents hear a peep from us, pre-cell phones) until we came crashing in our 10-speeds just in time for supper. Those were the days, man."—littlefairywanderer"'Be home by dinner!' Doubt many parents are comfortable saying that these days."—charmingfish91 "Being sent to my room for 'punishment'. Can't believe it actually was a punishment. Now I go to my room when I am in trouble with my siblings and I need a break from everybody 'cause they suck." "Going to a drive-in theater and waiting for the sunset for the movie to start. The concession stand was waaay in the back, and everyone's kids were all in pajamas because we weren't staying awake until that movie ended..." —icymagazine491 "The Five O'Clock Whistle. Fire stations used to blow a whistle every afternoon at 5:00 to let you check your clocks/watches. It also helped us Gen-X kids who were roaming around the neighborhood unsupervised know that dinner was coming soon." "Riding into town in the back of my grandpa's pick-up truck. No seat belts, no cap." —chilllion4232"Riding in the back of a station wagon with no seatbelt. Facing backwards. No belts. No airbags. Just vibes and nausea."—jessicajonesluv"'Driving' on Grandpa's and Mom's laps! I'd 'steer' while they had the gas and brakes. Learning to drive a stick shift at 12 years old, in the snow. Maybe that's why I'm always asked to drive now."—stephaniev23 And finally, "Common sense. Not just blindly following social media trends (or the equivalent) without that little voice saying, 'Hang on, this is stupid.'" Now it's your turn! What's something that was normal when you were a kid but probably never happens now? Tell us in the comments or via the anonymous form below:
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway predicts major housing market shift soon
First-time homebuyers have struggled with the housing market over the last few years, as affordability worsened and the supply of available homes dwindled. The majority of those shut out from the housing market have been younger buyers, preventing Gen Z and Millennials from reaching a key financial milestone. However, Baby Boomers have faced a more predictable and buyer-friendly housing market - with the exception of the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. Don't miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet's FREE daily newsletter Now that the majority of Baby Boomers are approaching retirement and considering selling their homes to relocate, experts note it could up-end the housing market. Though high mortgage rates and stagnant housing activity have impacted older generations, younger generations have borne the brunt of the increasingly expensive housing market. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices predicts that retired homeowners looking to downsize will compete with first-time homebuyers for smaller and more affordable homes. Affordability is the main barrier to homeownership for younger homebuyers, but many note that if mortgage rates dipped below 6%, it would improve conditions enough for them to buy a home. Although housing inventory levels are improving, many sellers are still holding off on listing their home until mortgage rates drop further, keeping the market in a holding pattern. "They [Baby Boomers] accumulated significant equity from staying in their homes and paying down their mortgages and benefiting from escalating home prices over the course of 13 to 16 years," The Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices blog wrote. "Just in the last five years, nationwide home prices have risen 47%. Yet, many boomers who remain in their homes have little financial motive to sell in a higher interest rate environment." More on homebuying: The White House will take surprising approach to curb mortgage ratesHousing expert reveals surprising ways to reduce your mortgage rateDave Ramsey predicts major mortgage rate changes are coming soonWarren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway sounds the alarm on the 2025 housing market However, experts anticipate that when Baby Boomers finally decide to relocate for retirement and sell their homes en masse, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices believes it will worsen the housing affordability crisis for younger generations. "As Boomers sell their homes and purchase smaller homes with cash, they are inadvertently making it harder for first-time and lower-income homebuyers to compete." Millennials and Gen Z will need to compete for homes with senior Baby Boomers, Gen Xers approaching retirement, and even institutional investors like Blackstone, which owns upwards of 60,000 residential single-family homes in its portfolio. "Along with institutional and foreign housing investors who intend to buy and hold or rent out the homes they purchase, Boomers are contributing to higher home prices by reducing inventories of smaller, newer, and/or more affordable inventory." As Baby Boomers age, they are expected to leave behind homes that many prospective buyers won't be able to afford. This could shake the already tenuous housing market, as demand among older and younger homebuyers shifts toward smaller and affordable homes. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices notes that as Baby Boomers enter their golden years, they will no longer be able to manage large, expensive homes. Related: Bank of America predicts major housing market changes are coming soon "What boomers will leave behind as they vacate their homes, whether for alternative lifestyles such as assisted living, long-term care homes, and multigenerational living, or through loss of life, is a growing inventory of unoccupied homes and homes for sale," the blog continued. As affordability deteriorates and expensive home listings sit idle, housing experts worry that widespread surplus could implode market pricing. "Between 13.1 and 14.6 million boomers will abandon homeownership from 2026-2036, raising housing industry fears that such a large inventory of homes could lead to price collapses." Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
