While bigger has traditionally been better in most facets of American
culture, more and more people are starting to think smaller. Here’s why
smaller homes have seen an increase in popularity for home builders.
Owning a home has long been a huge part of the American dream, but
according to recent statistics, the size of that dream is shrinking. A
recent survey revealed that a majority of home builders have started to,
or are planning to build smaller houses than those constructed over the
last 10 years.
According to the latest statistics, the average size of a single-family
home built in 2007 was nearly 2,700 square feet, while the same home
constructed in the last 2-year period was significantly smaller,
measuring just a bit over 2,400 square feet. Overall, the space savings
came from more homes being built as single-story residences that had
fewer bedrooms and restrooms. An increase in the number of seniors
needing greater accessibility in their homes, and smaller family sizes
are believed to be contributing factors to the decrease for construction
by home builders.
Experts cited several other major reasons for the shift in the size of
homes being built; in particular, the economy. While a slight reduction
in home size has occurred during past economic difficulties, the current
emphasis on reducing home sizes is the sharpest decline yet, and is
expected to continue even after economic improvement. The move towards
smaller houses also coincides with an increase in first-time buyers who
don’t have the money to spend on a larger home with unnecessary rooms,
as well as an increasing older population who are looking for less
spacious, more affordable houses now that there are no longer children
in the house. Other factors that have influenced home builders include
the cost of purchasing a home, concern over rising utility bills, time
and expense related to cleaning, upkeep and maintenance, and an
increased interest in outdoor multi-functional areas such as cooking
areas. In addition, the average size of building plots has also been
declining in recent years , leading builders to think smaller.
In lieu of the traditional larger home, families are now searching for
smaller, well-built homes that offer conveniences such as built-in
shelving and multi-purpose storage areas. They are also finding new ways
to adapt the spaces already built into their homes – for example,
turning an extra bedroom into a home office area. These modestly-sized
homes are being constructed with fewer luxuries like expensive
countertops, fireplaces and lavish bathrooms, and are incorporating more
energy-efficient and money-saving features for such necessities as
heating and cooling the residence. Increased organization is also a
bigger feature in the new scaled-down domiciles, with many plans being
designed to make use of all the available space inside.
For those looking to take up residence or move within Huntsville, home
builders may find themselves a bit overwhelmed by the variety of home
models available. Professional companies specialize in meeting your
needs with modern trends in efficiency for newly built houses. If you'd
like more information about services offered locally, please visit
http://www.markharrishomes.com/
