Boomer Home Coming to a Community Near You Dr. David J. Demko, professor of gerontology and editor AgeVenture News Service, 07-24-04 There they go again. America's 70 million boomers are setting yet another trend. What trend? The boomer condo market. It's rising faster than fresh bread in a hot oven. Why? The kids are gone and "we've got our life back", say boomers who are leaving their empty-nests in record numbers and heading for greener pastures. Greener as in "fresh start". A place to spread their wings and fly. Sounds like Utopia. Living where active lifestyle needs and desires are courted in the kind of style and grace that might satisfy Rhett and Scarlett. If you'd like a real life illustration of this new real estate trend, try the nation's only boomer condo franchiser, Epmark Inc. The Columbus-Ohio company now has 75 franchisees building affordable, ranch-style condominium communities. 18 of those added in year 2003. In the year 2000 baby boomers in America numbered 34.7 million, is projected to grow to 45.6 million and by 2025 that number is estimated to reach 62 million, according to U.S. Census projections. Epmark's marketing strategy reaches beyond Epcon's original base of empty nesters - both retirees and pre-retirees - to embrace young executives and single home buyers. “The market is really heating up for quality, affordable condominiums across the country. The growing population of active adults nearing retirement is fueling the demand,” say Epmark principals Philip Fankhauser and Edward Bacome. Attracting homebuyers are the superior construction materials and design elements normally reserved for costlier homes. The singlestory units feature large great rooms, verandas and guest rooms, and community amenities include social, recreation and fitness centers. Fankhauser and Bacome formed Epmark, Inc. in 1995 to franchise the phenomenally successful condominium community concept they had been quietly perfecting and licensing in Ohio for nearly a decade. Epmark, Inc. is the nation’s only franchiser of condominium development systems. The Columbus, Ohio, company has 75 franchises in 22 states representing over 200 communities and nearly 15,000 units. Epmark specializes in developing communities that meet the unique needs of young professionals, single homebuyers and active adults. Franchises are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Epmark’s single-story, ranch-style designs combine four residences in an attractive pinwheel configuration. Its Cathedral Collection includes The Abbey and The Canterbury models with two bedrooms and baths, a two-car garage and a veranda; The Canterbury model also features a den. The Classic Collection includes The Villa and The Chateau models with two bedrooms and baths, a two-car garage and a private patio; The Chateau model also features an upstairs loft bedroom and a total of two-and-a-half baths. Edward Bacome and Philip Fankhauser formed The Epcon Group, Inc. in 1986 to produce affordable single-story condominium communities in central Ohio. With the phenomenal success of the Ohio communities, the founders embarked on marketing their proven condominium development concept nationally. In 1995, they launched Epcon affliliate, Epmark, Inc., to serve as the national franchise organization. Both men have consistently demonstrated uncommon foresight into market trends in their separate and joint ventures. Each had chalked up significant achievements in real estate prior to their collaboration in 1986. Bacome's background is in residential property management He also licensed to practice law in Ohio and is a licensed real estate broker. Fankhauser has 30 years of real estate development experience. He specializes in conceptual planning, architectural and engineering coordination, financial planning, construction management and marketing. Epmark V.P., Tom Rothrauff, previously with Del Webb retirement communities in Sacramento, California earned that city's prestigous marketing award in year 2000. For those interested in following trends as well as the trend-setters in Aging America, Epmark is an enterprise to watch. You won't have to look too far. There just might be a Boomer Home Coming to a community near you ... and soon. Photo credit: Empmark. BACK TO TOP