Lee Meekcoms Sees Housing and Recreation Trends Shift as Baby Boomers Enter Retirement

With the first of the Baby Boomers cashing Social Security checks, it's
not surprising that everyone from real estate investors to financial
analysts are sitting up and taking notice.

With the first of the Baby Boomers cashing Social Security checks, it's
not surprising that everyone from real estate investors to financial
analysts are sitting up and taking notice. The sheer numbers that make
up this generation – over 78 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau
– have made Boomers de facto trendsetters. "Baby Boomers have more
accumulated wealth than any previous generation, and they're positioned
downstream from a river of assets that they will inherit from their
parents," says Leon D. Meekcoms, President of Parkbridge Capital Group,
Inc. (www.parkbridgecapital.com), a privately held real estate
investment, acquisition, and brokerage firm. "Their financial position
and increased longevity are translating into decisive new trends in the
housing industry."

According to Meekcoms, whose career in real estate sales, acquisition,
and development has spanned more than 25 years, the most notable
recreational trend among the Boomer demographic are those who termed
"splitters," or people who have two residences. "Dual season residency
is skyrocketing, with people choosing to go north from the spring to the
fall and spend other half of the year in the south," he says. In
addition, close to a half million people live and travel full-time in
their RVs, with millions more dividing their time between RV travel and
a home base, often in a manufactured home community or RV resort.

In contrast to traditional "snowbirds," this generation tends to be more
active and, like their predecessors, is quite cost-conscious. They have
a reasonable expectation of living a quarter of century and longer in
retirement or semi-retirement, and don't want to outlive their money.
"While Boomers are affluent, they are smart about how they're going to
invest and spend, and will plan for the future," says Meekcoms.

This is one reason why Parkbridge Capital Group, Inc. has focused on
acquiring a portfolio of manufactured home communities and recreational
vehicle resorts. "People want the benefits associated with a mobile
lifestyle without the high overhead. In buying and upgrading these
properties to maximize investor return, we also provide tenants with a
splendid environment. In short, everyone wins," he says.

Parkbridge Capital is a prime example of a company that has positioned
itself to take advantage of the Baby Boomer wave. There aren't a massive
number of larger, quality manufactured home communities and RV resorts,
so the market forces of supply and demand are almost certain to force
prices up in coming years. In the meantime, the company's properties
also appeal to the growing number of Americans who want to vacation
closer to home or stay in the U.S. "Because of gas prices, people are
beginning to shy away from long trips, and prefer the amenities of
resorts that are within driving distance of their homes, or locales
where they can stay and recreate for the season," says Meekcoms.

As a Baby Boomer himself, he has an inside track on this trendsetting
generation. "On the whole, we have more time, more money, and better
long-term health prospects than previous generations. We want to enjoy a
flexible lifestyle at a cost that isn't extravagant," he says. "The
types of properties that our company acquires and owns with our partners
are a perfect fit for mobile, cost-conscious Boomers who want the best
of all worlds."