Newsweek reports that the Boomer generation is scooping up housing at reduced rates. Why not? Home prices are sinking and mortgage rates are low. It's the perfect time to snag that vacation home or retirement dwelling. Could a Baby Boomer wind up being your next landlord? Quiet possibly. Newsweek states that "roughly one out of every four baby boomers owns either a vacation home, land, or a rental property in addition to the home that they live in." Some have no plans to move in immediately and therefore might end up as your landlord.
If so, lucky you. Here is a script you can use to get in good with your flower-power landlord...
Discuss Politics
"Oh," you might casually say, "have you heard about the Colorado ski town that decriminalized weed?" This may open the door for your Boomer landlord to remember a time when they felt relevant and cool, even if they never puffed the magic dragon or went to Woodstock.
Discuss the Arts (of the advertising sort)
Bring that topic of ganja around to point out to your landlord that you're clued-in to culture. Try mentioning the Hapa Sushi ads running in Colorado. This shows you read the paper (at least online), and, aren't just some bowl-smoking, lazy bum.
FYI: The controversial ads released this week don't show any food in them at all. Rather, they map medical "mary jane" dispensaries and nearby Hapa Sushi restaurants. (You can crack the feeble joke, "They should call them 'Happy Sushi,' right?")
Discuss Technology
Boomers are feeling empowered now that they've conquered "the Facebook." You might impress them by helping them get rid of their DVD collection, learn to read e-books for free, or listen to some great tunes.
Discuss the Rent
Now that you've got your hippie landlord blissed out, talked out, and schooled... perfect time to bring up the topic of rent payments. Try: "Hey, my man... there are a lot of other groovy pads on the market. What deals can you share, friend?" It never hurts to ask...
