Category Archives: Retirement

Today’s Luxury Buyers Aren’t Looking for Bigger Homes. They’re Looking for Better Living.

If there’s one trend I’ve watched reshape the luxury housing market over the past several years, it’s this: buyers are placing less emphasis on square footage and more emphasis on lifestyle.

That might sound surprising in an era when larger homes once dominated wish lists, but today’s buyers are asking different questions.

Instead of, “How big is it?” they’re asking, “How will this home improve the way we live?” The answer often has very little to do with the number of bedrooms. Luxury today isn’t about excess—it’s about intentional living. More buyers are looking for homes that allow them to slow down, entertain family and friends, enjoy their surroundings, and spend less time maintaining a property and more time experiencing it.

Privacy, in particular, has become a premium. Outdoor living has become an extension of the home. Single-level living has become desirable not only for retirees, but also for busy professionals who appreciate convenience and are planning ahead. And more and more, people want spaces that are beautiful, functional, and built around everyday enjoyment—not just special occasions.

Buyers Are Investing in Lifestyle

I’ve noticed that many buyers are making decisions based on how they envision spending their weekends rather than simply comparing square footage or price per foot. They imagine:

  • morning coffee on a covered patio
  • summer afternoons by the pool with grandchildren
  • hosting holiday dinners where the kitchen naturally becomes the gathering place
  • parking the RV without worrying about storage fees
  • welcoming overnight guests without giving up their own privacy

These lifestyle features create lasting value because they improve daily life in ways that can’t be measured on a spreadsheet.

A Perfect Example

One of my current Gig Harbor listings captures this shift beautifully. Set on nearly an acre just minutes from downtown Gig Harbor, this property offers the privacy and serenity of country living without sacrificing convenience.

The centerpiece is a resort-style swimming pool surrounded by beautifully landscaped grounds, creating an outdoor retreat that feels more like a private resort than a backyard. A spacious covered outdoor living area extends the enjoyment well beyond sunny summer afternoons, providing the perfect setting for entertaining throughout much of the year.

Inside, the home continues the same thoughtful approach. The vaulted great room is filled with natural light and flows effortlessly into a gourmet kitchen designed for gathering rather than simply cooking. The luxurious primary suite offers comfort and privacy, while the bonus suite above the garage provides ideal accommodations for guests, extended family, or a private home office.

Perhaps one of the most valuable features is something many buyers don’t fully appreciate until they’ve experienced it: true one-level living. Daily life becomes easier when the primary living spaces are all on one floor, while the bonus suite over the garage remains available when guests come to visit.

It’s a home designed to support the way people actually live—or want to live.

Close to beautiful Wollochet Bay

Looking Beyond the Numbers

Real estate has always been about more than bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. The homes that create the greatest satisfaction over time are the ones that fit a family’s lifestyle.

As a managing broker, I believe one of my most important responsibilities is helping clients look beyond statistics and envision how a property will serve them for years to come:

  • Will it make everyday living more enjoyable?
  • Will it create opportunities to gather?
  • Will it provide peace and privacy?
  • Wll it enable us to live a lifestyle we envision and value?

Those are the questions that today’s thoughtful buyers are asking. They know they are not simply purchasing a home; they’re investing in the life they want to live. And, that’s exactly why exceptional lifestyle properties like this one continue to stand apart in any market.

If you’ve been looking for a home that offers luxury without pretense, privacy without isolation, and a true resort-style lifestyle just minutes from Gig Harbor, I’d be happy to show you this remarkable property.

Current Offering: $1,675,000
MLS #2543131

Doug Lawrence
Better Properties Gig Harbor
📞 253.341.5287

Adventure Begins at Home

After years of helping people buy and sell homes, I’ve noticed an interesting change in the conversations I’m having with buyers.

For many, the goal is no longer finding the biggest house or the most impressive address. Instead, they’re looking for a home that fits the way they actually live today. They want a property that’s comfortable, easy to care for, and leaves more time for family, travel, hobbies, and the activities they enjoy most.

That shift in priorities has been especially noticeable among empty nesters, retirees, and active couples. Many own an RV, spend weekends on the water, or enjoy exploring everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer. They aren’t asking for more square footage—they’re asking for a home that supports their lifestyle instead of competing with it.

The features they ask about reflect those priorities:

  • One-level living
  • Updated kitchens and bathrooms
  • Less space to maintain
  • Parking for an RV or boat
  • Privacy without feeling isolated
  • Room for family and friends to visit
  • A peaceful setting that’s still close to shopping, dining, and everyday services

In today’s market, luxury often looks different than it did a generation ago. It’s less about owning more and more about enjoying your home without feeling tied to constant maintenance or unfinished projects. Buyers increasingly want a home that’s ready to enjoy the day they move in.

That’s one of the reasons I’m excited about my Fox Island, Washington listing:

Located on nearly an acre just minutes from the Fox Island Bridge, this thoughtfully updated 3-bdrm, 1.75-bath home offers the features many buyers are searching for today. The remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, bright open living spaces, and beautifully maintained grounds mean you can settle in and start enjoying the property right away instead of spending months on renovations.

If travel is part of your lifestyle, the generous RV parking with a 50-amp hookup is a standout feature. Whether you’re heading across Washington for the weekend, taking a longer trip across the country, or planning annual trips to warmer climates, you’ll have dedicated space for your RV, boat, or other recreational equipment when you return home.

The wraparound porch with spacious deck is a wonderful place to enjoy the peaceful surroundings, while the additional climate-controlled finished space provides flexibility for a home office, hobby room, workout area, or extra storage as your needs change over time.

One of my favorite aspects of this property is its location. Being a Fox Island resident myself, I may be biased, but most Fox Islanders will tell you that coming home is like going on vacation every day! Here, you can enjoy the quiet beauty and relaxed pace of the island while remaining just minutes from the everyday conveniences of Gig Harbor. That’s a combination many buyers hope to find but don’t always expect. (And from this particular home, you can walk to the Fox Island Store, Cutters Point Coffee, and Zogs Tap Room, an extra bonus!)

 

Interested? MLS Listing #2539287 is offered at $685,000 by Doug Lawrence and Better Properties Gig Harbor

The right home isn’t necessarily the largest one. More often, it’s the home that supports the life you want to live. When your house requires less of your time and attention, you have more freedom to spend that time with the people and pursuits you value most.

If you’ve been thinking about simplifying, downsizing, or finding a home that better reflects this season of your life, I’d be happy to help you explore your options. Whether it’s this Fox Island property or another home that’s a better fit for your goals, my job is to help you find a place that truly works for the way you live.

Adventure really does begin at home.

Doug Lawrence
Broker | Better Properties Gig Harbor
253.341.5287
douglaslawrence15@gmail.com
douglawrencerealestate.com

 

The Best Place in Washington to Retire

Welcome to the Best Place in Washington to Retire!

Gig Harbor is proud to enjoy the distinction of having been named first on a list of “Best Places to Retire in Washington,” according to a study released by financial technology company SmartAsset. Gig Harbor scored a whopping, state-high score of 87.60 on SmartAsset’s Best Place to Retire index, edging out Sequim (84.93) for the top spot. Not only that, SmartAsset’s recreation index also placed Gig Harbor at the top among Washington cities!I

What makes Gig Harbor such a great place to retire? The study cited, among other things, the benefits of Gig Harbor’s 12 percent tax rate, 11.5 doctor’s offices per 1,000 people, and 23.6 percent of the population at senior age.

But besides the facts and figures, the retirement lifestyle in The Maritime City offers all kinds of delightful opportunities.  Make new friends or meet up with old ones over coffee or a happy hour; both the Uptown area and the downtown waterfront offer multiple enjoyable options. Many Gig Harbor retirees also enjoy the all-ages, fitness-oriented environment at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA in Gig Harbor North, where they can take a walk indoors, make waves in a Silver Splash water aerobics class, or volunteer and become part of the fun and dynamic community. They can also join the Active Retirement & Senior Club of Gig Harbor, a membership-based organization offering a full slate of recreational and cultural activities.

Outdoor opportunities are plentiful, rain or shine, including “walking the harbor” (what locals call a stroll or jog on the waterfront) or the Cushman Trail, kayaking or paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and more. The arts are alive and well in Gig Harbor’s monthly Art Walk and the many local galleries and annual Art Festival.

Have a bit of the wanderlust? If you’re wanting to venture beyond Gig Harbor’s relative peace and quiet, opportunities for outings abound. The big city amenities of Seattle and Tacoma are not far away, nor is the unsurpassed beauty of coastal communities and mountainous national parks to the east and to the west. Whether your bent is concerts or camping, a delightful variety of entertainment and recreation options lie at your doorstep, and the time to enjoy them is . . . now!

Doug Lawrence is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams West  Sound in Gig Harbor. Give him a shout for all your buying, selling, and investment in real estate needs; he’s here to serve and make your transition to or within Gig Harbor (and the surrounding area) as smooth as possible! www.douglawrencerealestate.com