GROWING PAINS: A ‘Silver Tsunami’ Coming to Pagosa?

A few days ago, I read about the possibility of a “Silver Tsunami” hitting the real estate market in Pagosa Springs.

It was an interesting YouTube video posted by a local realtor. The realtor pointed out that based on data that he recently downloaded and analyzed, he estimates that less than half of homeowners in Pagosa Springs actually live full-time in Pagosa Springs.

Further, based on his recently downloaded and analyzed data, 18% of second home owners are Texans.

The realtor concluded that therefor probably about 40% of all home owners (full timers, part timers, investors) arrive in Pagosa Springs from Texas.

If a Silver Tsunami hits Pagosa Springs, I hope these taxpayers bring with them homeowner expectations that affordable housing can be achievable for $144.00 per square foot. That would certainly help to provide shelter for the local workforce, and would also help keep down the annual property taxes paid by Texas investors.

I wonder what percentage of the new Silver Tsunami might be coming from Houston, Texas?

30 miles North of Houston is the ‘Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land’ metropolitan area called New Carey. In New Carey, Lennar is building-out “Tavola West”, a master-planned community that features amenities that include a swimming pool, greenbelt and clubhouse. Homes in Tavola West can be purchased for $144.00 per square foot.

For example, a 4 Beds, 3 Bath model home (1,530 square feet) is $210,000

For lower income households, Lennar is focussed on building move-in-ready affordable housing for the workforce in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metropolitan area.

I wonder what percentage of the new Silver Tsunami might be coming from San Antonio, Texas? Lennar is focused there on building move-in-ready affordable housing.

For lower income households in San Antonio, Lennar is focused on building “Tiny Homes”.

The Cooley model (350 square feet) is a one-bedroom, one-bathroom plan (priced at $129,999). The Henley model (661 square feet) is a one-bedroom, two-bathroom plan (priced at $162,999).

Tiny Homes cost more than the $144.00 per square Foot homes as found in Travel West (New Carey Texas). However, the Lennar Tiny Homes provide a lower entry price for lower income households.

Hank Lydick

Hank Lydick took 'early' retirement to build a home in Austin, Texas, and a cabin in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.