Lititz Community Receives Seven Lancaster Parade of Homes Awards

Based in Pennsylvania, Traditions of America is a homebuilding company that specializes in building active lifestyle communities that are perfectly suitable for adult home buyers in the 55+ group. Traditions of America has received numerous awards and recognition for developing high-quality homes and offering a wide range of amenities for their homeowners.

In June 2018, Traditions of America’s Lititz community received seven awards in the Parade of Homes’ single-family category from the Building Industry Association (BIA) of Lancaster County for developing a superior community. The awards were Best of Show, Best Exterior, Best Interior Design, Best Kitchen, Best Bath, Best Decorated, and Best Landscaping. 

Lititz has always been one of Traditions of America’s most sought-after communities for its low-maintenance and customizable homes, as well as resort-style amenities. Lititz features an award-winning clubhouse where residents can invite their families and friends to join pool parties, happy hours, fitness classes, wine tastings, and more. There are walking paths and open spaces for people to jog, cycle, and enjoy the fresh air. Homeowners have shared how living in Lititz has helped them achieve a more active lifestyle and develop friendships with the people in the community.

Builder Confidence in Housing Market Stays Strong

A member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Traditions of America focuses on customizable 55+ housing communities for people who want to maintain an active lifestyle. Known for offering resort-syle recreation amenities in its developments, Traditions of America has earned numerous recognitions from the NAHB 55+ Housing Industry Council. 

A recent NAHB report shows that builder confidence in the single-family, 55+ housing market remained positive through the second quarter of 2018, increasing one point to 67. The report surveys builders on current sales as well as anticipated six-month sales and prospective buyer traffic. The builders use ratings of good, fair, or poor conditions in their areas.

Compared to a survey completed in the first quarter of 2018, 55+ home sales on the NAHB scale increased from 70 to 73 points. A strong economic outlook and rising homeowner assets are expected to drive continued home purchases in 55+ active adult communities. As long as builders can manage rising lumber costs, they will be able to continue offering homes at competitive prices, advised NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz.

Customizing a DreamHome with Traditions of America

The recipient of the 2016 National 55+ Builder of the Year award from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Traditions of America is an active-adult community developer with established locations across Pennsylvania and more coming soon in Ohio and Virginia. Within all of its communities, Traditions of America allows its clients to customize a range of award-winning home designs through its DreamHome program.

The DreamHome program is simple to navigate and allows homebuyers to create a residence which fully reflects their personal tastes and lifestyle needs. The process typically requires buyers to work with a designer and architect team over the course of two to three months. 

Buyers are able to review their home plan room by room to make a variety of desired alterations, including structural changes and layout edits. They can even change the materials used in the construction of indoor elements like cabinets, flooring, and countertops. Homebuyers also have the opportunity to add amenities like sunrooms, back porch barbecues, and sunrooms to the floor plan.

The company makes it easy for homebuyers to design the home of their dreams using an interactive floor plan tool. The tool makes it possible to adjust room sizes, change room locations, and even place the desired style of furniture to create the perfect home layout. Prospective homebuyers can begin using the interactive floor plan to create their own DreamHome today at https://www.traditionsofamerica.com/floorplans.

Express Homes and DreamHomes by Traditions of America

Traditions of America offers 55+ homebuyers a highly customizable, maintenance-free living experience at dozens of active lifestyle communities in Pennsylvania. In the future, Traditions of America will expand to locations in Virginia and Ohio.

Individuals who need or desire to move into a Traditions of America community as soon as possible should consider the organization’s Express Home program, which expedites the home selection and move-in processes for both move-in-ready and customizable homes. Express Home opportunities are available at communities throughout the state and in multiple price tiers. Express Homes are tagged as either “Customizable,” meaning floor plans and amenities can be adjusted with the help of the organization's professional design team, or “Available Now,” indicating homebuyers can move in as soon as possible.

Individuals or couples who are not pressed for time may consider the Traditions of America DreamHome experience. The DreamHome program encourages homebuyers to express their particular style while also selecting features that serve specific needs and interests. To begin working with the company’s professional design team, call Traditions of America at (215) 372-8762 or visit www.traditionsofamerica.com.

Customizing a Home at Pinnacle at Adams

For over 20 years, Traditions of America has offered maintenance-free living opportunities to people 55 and older. Communities designed and built by Traditions of America, though mainly located in Pennsylvania, will soon be expanding to Ohio and Virginia. Situated just outside of Pittsburgh, Pinnacle at Adams, an extremely fast-selling and popular community by Traditions of America, has only a few remaining homesites!

Pinnacle at Adams is the perfect location for homebuyers looking to build their home in a natural setting that supports an active lifestyle. This niche 55+ community features estate homesites, wooded trails, beautiful views, a community garden, a fire pit, and a pond, perfect for kayaking and fishing. 

When homebuyers choose to begin the building process at Pinnacle at Adams, or any of the other communities designed by Traditions of America, they receive access to a staff of professional designers, who will walk them through the process of customizing their new home. 

Many homebuyers choose to move walls to make certain spaces larger. Some may want to incorporate a spa-like master bath, a gourmet kitchen, or custom-designed outdoor spaces. Whatever the dream, designers with Traditions of America will work diligently to make it a reality. After structural changes are finalized, designers help homebuyers select finishes and appliances. The entire process takes approximately two to three months, resulting in a customized home that will serve as a setting for many more memories and experiences.

Many Americans Choosing to Live in 55+ Active Lifestyle Communities

Lifestyle community developer Traditions of America has constructed hundreds of homes in Pennsylvania and will expand into the suburban areas of Columbus, Ohio, and Richmond, Virginia, in the near future. Traditions of America specializes in active living communities that offer people over the age of 55 a high-quality, low-maintenance lifestyle.

As more Americans reach the age of 55, many are choosing to live in 55+ active communities as an appealing alternative to other types of master-planned communities. One major draw is the promise of a more socially active lifestyle, which has been linked to improved mental and physical health and an overall sense of well-being. 

Many of these developments incorporate high-end amenities that are available to all residents. Well-appointed clubhouses, fitness centers, and organized events are great ways for residents to get to know their neighbors, form lasting friendships, and discover new interests and hobbies. Active lifestyle communities also offer endless opportunities for entertainment. They are often conveniently situated within walking distance or short drives to attractions such as shopping malls, movie theaters, and golf courses. Grocery stores, restaurants, recreational areas, and health-care services are also often steps away.

NAHB Best of 55+ Housing Awards

Nationally recognized homebuilder Traditions of America specializes in high-end, master-planned communities featuring resort-style amenities for homebuyers 55 or older. Traditions of America is a longstanding member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and has won multiple awards in its division.

The NAHB represents thousands of the most productive homebuilding enterprises in the United States. Eight out of 10 new homes are built by a NAHB member. In addition to advocacy, education, and industry research, the NAHB recognizes excellence in construction and development with its award programs. The Best of 55+ Award honors builders, developers, and designers who create innovative communities marketed to an older demographic.

Award recipients are selected by the NAHB’s 55+ Housing Industry Council (55+HIC) every year and announced during the International Builders’ Show. Winners are featured on the NAHB website and offered widespread media coverage through industry publications and news outlets. The next winners will be revealed at the 2019 International Builders’ Show, taking place in Las Vegas.

Playing Pickleball at Your New Traditions of America Community

Traditions of America is a developer of 55 and over resort-style communities known for their superior locations and home designs. Traditions of America communities are perfect for individuals and couples who enjoy socializing and leading active lifestyles, with resort-style amenities ranging from gourmet kitchens that are perfect for entertaining to pickleball courts. Pickleball is becoming increasingly popular with Traditions of America residents and many residents have formed leagues.

Pickleball is a racquet sport that draws on elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. Pickleball courts closely resemble tennis courts, but on a smaller scale, making the sport more accessible to young children and older competitors. That said, the sport’s scoring mechanics function more closely to those of table tennis or badminton.

A pickleball match begins with a server using a light wood or plastic paddle, slightly larger than a ping pong paddle, to hit the Whiffle ball-like pickleball to the returner. Serves are made underhanded from behind the back line and must be hit diagonally over the net, beyond the no volley zone, and into the opponent’s service box.

Moving forward, rallies progress similarly to other racquet sports. However, pickleball players must allow the ball to bounce at least once on their side of the court before taking shots out of the air, an action that is always forbidden when playing in the no volley zone running adjacent and parallel the net. Points end when a ball fails to clear the net or is hit out of bounds, or when a player violates either of the one bounce or no volley zone rules. Pickleball matches are typically played first to 11 points, win by two, with only serving sides earning points.

Things to Consider before Buying a Home in a 55-Plus Community

For more than two decades, Traditions of America has been developing 55+ active lifestyle communities in Pennsylvania, and soon to be in Virginia and Ohio. The communities built by Traditions of America offer a variety of amenities to residents, and consist of customizable homes to suit individual lifestyles.

Below are several things adults should consider when buying a home in a 55+ community:

Proximity to shopping, dining and culture: 
Being only a short drive from a cultural hub has unlimited benefits. Great restaurants, fun shopping, theater, museums and sports venues add to the richness of an area and offer endless possibilities for entertainment of every variety. 

Amenities: Not all 55+ communities are the same! When choosing your home, be sure to consider the amenities offered in your community. Is there a clubhouse? Does it have a pool? Are there walking trails? How often does the clubhouse host parties and other opportunities for socializing? Is there a Lifestyle Director? 

Proximity to health care: Even if individuals plan on living an active lifestyle after the age of 55, they are still prone to injuries and other health-related issues. Being near top-rated medical facilities is a plus when choosing an active lifestyle community

Weather: Many homebuyers fall in love with an area’s weather after visiting once. Unfortunately, one visit doesn’t truly give an idea of the area’s weather throughout the year. To ensure they enjoy the year-long weather, homebuyers should consider visiting the area during different seasons to ensure it’s right for them.