“The 55+ market is becoming an increasingly important focus of the nation’s housing industry as members of the baby boom approach the traditional retirement years,” says the National Association of Home Builders. “But builders hoping to entice households into new homes may find the going tough because older Americans, by and large, are happy with where they currently live.” Those above age 55 — an age which hardly seems ancient — play an important role the real estate. As people age they tend to earn more (because they’ve built up their business and job experience over time) and owe less (because their mortgage has been paid down or paid off and the children have finished school).