It depends on the buyer. Whenever there are knee or mobility issues (which can happen at any age) they want the master on the 1st floor. I've also had buyers ask for a bedroom down to accomodate older family and friends who visit.

Yes. My younger clients want to be near the kids and the ones with teenagers want to be away from them and the older clients want the bedroom on the main floor.

Some, but we don't think age has that great of an effect, unless there are mobility issues.

those who have young children do not want a first floor bedroom.... as the teenage years approach, they prefer the first floor master .....

Paul, I would say mid-50's people are very aware of future stair issues.  Many clients with young children want ALL the bedrooms to be on the same level.

The owner's bedroom goes through some phases Paul, but generally when you reach tweener status there seems to be concern.

Most people around here want the split floor plan.  

This issue is often more a matter of physical condition or health than age.

There is rapidly growing demand for a first floor master bedroom.

Here at the beach, many of our homes are reverse floor plans, to maximize potential water views...so the kitchen, living room, dining room, master bedroom and bath, (and typically one half bath) are found on the third floor. Larger homes (8 bedrooms or more) will have an elevator, so the location of the master bedroom isn't an issue in that regard.  With the larger investment properties, the concern is only that the master bedroom have access to the water views.

If the property will be a retirement home, everything changes. We are looking for a lot in the 'x' flood zone (outside the 100  year flood plain) so the house can be built on the ground, or nearly so, when they intend to build. And of course, our retirement buyers are interested in as few steps as possible and all one level living.  I currently have retirement buyers building under this very scenario. 

It varies, age, health, kids, older parents living with the buyer all factor in. 

I think they always do.  Even if stairs don't bother them I always tell people from the start to consider resale.

Paul S. Henderson - some of my clients care for the location of the bedrooms on first floor - preferably with full bath - as their parents visit from India and stay with them for prolonged period of time.

John nailed this one!

When they have kids or when their knees give out.

Hi Paul --  well, I can tell you a three year little boy was pretty vocal about his bedroom while I was showing his parents a home recently.  Maybe it was that race car bed that attracted him.

I think the Master Bedroom location is definitely a factor for many with and without children.  I have seen quite a few funky floor plans over the years and it's something that I like to discuss upfront as well as during the showing stage of buying.  

Depends on the house, for example a 2 story here in Tucson, AZ (we dont have basements either) about 90% of the time the master is upstairs.  Guess what is the hottest room in the entire house?  That is right, their master bedroom.  First time home owners with no kids, dont seem to care as much.  Once they have kids or thinking about guests staying with them, then the split bedroom plan comes into play.

I think it is a personal issue.  I've had clients of all ages make comments about this.

Getting older is something evey single person faces...whether you are 30 or going on 60. First floor bedrooms and single story properties are ALWAYS popular.