Americans like their stuff big. We like to super size everything from our food to our homes. But now many developers in America are scaling down on home size to make homes more affordable. Years past have seen homes getting bigger and bigger as the housing market grew hotter and hotter. But now the market is adjusting so costs have gone up and builders are being forced to explore new or different ways to reduce the cost of home building.
One good way to reduce the cost of home building is to reduce the square footage in different areas of the home. Homes that were once being built with 2,200 square feet are now being built with 1.800 square feet, which makes a big difference in price.
You can still find super-sized homes, if your income supports it and your lifestyle demands it, but many others are starting to realize they don't really need the huge bathrooms or the extra space that builders were using as a selling point.
Another thing that's coming to an end in many new communities are the amenities like large clubhouses and elaborate swimming pools. Homebuyers are choosing to forego these extra luxuries to save money in today's economy.
Things are beginning to look up, though. The economy grew 0.9 percent which was better than the 0.6 percent predicted. So, supersizing may not be a thing of the past for long.
When you need help finding the right home with the right square footage for you and your family, contact me, I'm here to lend a hand.
Liz - It's interesting to track changes in homes over time. Sixty years ago, almost every home was a very basic ranch, with a low, simple roofline, few to no gables, minimum windows, and box-like construction. And families were happy to afford those homes! We've gone through a phase recently where the expectations of nearly every homebuyer includes as large a home as possible, with every imaginable bell and whistle. As the home market slows, fewer of the bells and whistles will be included - and I think you're right, there will start to be a trend towards smaller, more affordable homes.
My in-laws are talking about building a super-efficient home - no more than 1500-1600 square feet. This is definitely a trend that mirrors super-economy cars (my in-laws are also looking at Smart Cars from Mercedes). Great post....
Welcome to Activerain. Congratulations on your first post. That is a great way to start. Make sure to get around and check out other blogs so you can cut the learning curve!
Welcome to active rain ~ I'm sure you will spend plenty of time surfing around
Great article in the weekly online newsletter of NHBA. They are projecting that the Northeast united states will be the first to emerge from the current housing correction. And a number of others rebounding in the third quarter of this year. Finally, most of the country will be turning the corner by the fourth quarter.
http://www.nbnnews.com/NBN/issues/2008-05-26/Front+Page/index.htm
I doub't we will see a change in the home sizes for a while.
Marjorie Taylor - McGarvey Residential Communities
SeaGrove at St. Augustine Beach
Marjorie@mcgarveycommunities.com - www.seagrovestaugustinebeach.com
904-461-4948
Hey Liz,
Welcome to Active Rain! This is a great forum for learning as well as sharing. Check out some blogs, join some groups that interest you... just be careful, because it's addictive!
I look forward to reading some of your future posts.
Hello Liz,
Welcome to Active Rain and congrats on your first post! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!
-Keith