Today’s Trend: Smaller Homes

According to articles by the National Association of Home Builders and Realty Times, smaller homes are becoming more popular. This reverses the trend of just 2 years ago.
“The median size of new single-family houses sold in the U.S. has increased 42% during the past 20 years - from 1,650 square feet in 1978 to 2,335 square feet in 2007,” according to the article, Is the Next Big Thing Really Smaller Houses? by James Wentling.
Wentling goes on to say, “But a closer look at the data shows that this trend has not held steady throughout from year to year. Decreases occurred in 1981-1982, 1995, 2003 and 2007-2008, and I expect house sizes to decrease even further this year and next while the economy remains sluggish. In addition, with the $8,000 first-time home buyer federal tax credit stimulus bringing more first-time home buyers to the market, the trend toward smaller houses will probably continue.”
Jerry Howard, president and CEO of the National Association of Home Builders, (NAHB) said, “Our latest surveys show nearly 60 percent of our members are building smaller homes and a similar number are putting more emphasis on lower-priced models.”

NAHB cited a couple of reasons they believe for this trend. First, a smaller home is naturally a little more “green.” It is more energy efficient and therefore costs less to heat and cool and requires less materials to build, leaving a smaller carbon foot print.

Second, family sizes are decreasing. According to NAHB, the average household in 1960 had 3.3 people, while in 2008 it is 2.5.

Finally, there is a demand for workforce housing. These buyers have been waiting for the economy and housing market to pick up. After several years of waiting, they are ready to move on - - to home ownership.

Builders across the nation are decreasing their plan sizes and lot sizes and reinventing the wheel just for this trend. Hartland Homes has been providing smaller, workforce housing for 25 years now. We are experts in smaller homes on smaller lots. Did you know Hartland Homes was the first builder in town to develop smaller lots with narrower homes on them (about 10 years ago)? Our homes start at 800 square feet! When I’ve told people, out-of-state, what size home we build they are astounded. If you want a home for less than $200,000 or even less than $130,000, you can have new! Hartland Homes can build your new home starting at $113,000 including lot!!!