how about WHAT you would live IN?
LAS VEGAS (MarketWatch) -- These days, a bigger home isn't always a better one: Recent research suggests that homes being built today are getting smaller.
The average size of homes started in the third quarter of 2008 was 2,438 square feet, down from 2,629 square feet in the second quarter, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Similarly, the median size of homes started in the third quarter was 2,090, down from 2,291. The statistics confirm what the housing industry has suspected for a while.
Video: Builders Go Green
There's a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. Amy Hoak reports from the International Builders' Show. (Jan. 26)"We've been hearing for a long time 'Why is the home size not declining?'" said Gopal Ahluwalia, vice president of economic research for the National Association of Home Builders. He spoke about the trend at the International Builders' Show, held in Las Vegas last week. Anecdotally, he had heard smaller homes were being built as housing prices tumbled and the economy began to weaken. Still, "we never had data to back it up," he said.
Gayle Butler, editor-in-chief of Better Homes and Gardens, said for many homeowners, it is not so much a matter of downsizing as "right-sizing," giving up big homes with unused space and buying a home that better fits their needs.
"Either by necessity or choice, they're willing to take a step back from the McMansions," she said at the Builders' Show. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the magazine, 32% of participants said they expected their new home to be either somewhat smaller or much smaller than the one they already live in, she said. The magazine's online study involved 733 potential new-home buyers.
Builders are responding to those consumer desires. According to the National Association of Home Builders, 88% of builders surveyed in January said that they are building or planning to build a larger share of smaller homes. Eighty-nine percent said they're planning on building more lower-priced models.
As homes get smaller, home-owners are looking to economize the space they do have. Butler says she is seeing more interest in "Wii-sized spaces" -- family rooms that are flexible enough to accommodate a variety of activities, from video games to fitness systems. Outdoor spaces aren't being wasted either, and outdoor kitchens and entertaining areas continue to rise in popularity, she said.
According to the Better Homes and Gardens study, top priorities in a new home include an affordable price, natural light and comfortable family gathering places. The era of super-sizing may be ending, Butler said, with buyers looking for a home that is "right-sized, organized and economized."

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Like the house I would want to live in?

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

Well, we are now mostly empty-nesters..so we went out and bought a bigger house. And since gas prices doubled, we bought twice as far away from work to make up for it. Believe it or not, I really am pretty good at math.

My dream would be to live in an off-grid home like one of these:
http://www.taosearthships.com/

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Well I'm way ahead of the trend, my little slice of beach heaven is about 1/3 the average new home size! Man, am I green!

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

Hummm, a straw bale house, beware of big bad wolves!

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1993 300E 2.8 185k miles
2006 Mustang Convertible 4.0 Eaton Supercharged

I'm living in a hut 'o straw right now and the stucco on the walls is 4" in some places. I'd like to see something try to blow these walls in.

Tight, comfy and at <700sq/ft, right on the trend line (moved here after selling a 2000+ ft house).

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

It doesn't have to be a straw bale house. I've seen some cool construction done with concrete using air bags as forms. I also think glass bottles stacked in concrete looks cool.

I'd really like a home with a living roof and all the sustainable living features of the earth ship homes on at least 5 acres.

http://www.earthshelteredhome.com/

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

These folks have a good site about their home.
http://www.ourcoolhouse.com/

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-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14

Actualy you can probably blame that trend more on the FHA and market than the environment. Were building smaller houses because above $416k in my area you really can't get conforming loans. You have to come into those homes with a ton of cash. So as a result we are building stuff thats easy to sell, cheap smaller no frill new homes in the low $300k range. The $1m plus range is quite, no building in that range until the market turns around.

I'm sure builders all over the country are doing something similer.

People are also more sensitive to energy costs, were using more tankless hot water heaters, putting in more insulation in the attic, and using better furnaces.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

And yet again I am amazed.....300k for a "no frills home"? That buys you about 5,000sq foot of house around here...with lots of extras and some land.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Probably buy you more every day!

This place (117ac with a well and 1300+ ft of rural electricity) cost a lot less than 300k.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

How many applications did it take to get stucco that thick without it cracking during the cure? How much wire mesh?

I need to go back and look at your pictures again--still amazed.

Welcome to CT.

Land of high taxes, high wages, and high RE prices. Its all relative.

If you think thats bad you should see Westport, $1m won't really get you much of anything.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200