The Incredible Shrinking House

 

Did You Know?

 

For the first time in almost 15 years, the size of new homes built in the United States is shrinking. New homes are now 7% smaller, or the size of one averagesized room. To be precise, the median square footage of newly built homes fell to 2,065 square feet in the first three months of this year, compared with the same period last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

2008 marked the first year of declines since 1994. That could indicate that the romance between Americans and morbidly obese McMansions has finally cooled. "A new ethic is arising right now that will become commonplace," said Sarah Susanka, author of the book, The Not So Big House. "As more and more people build or remodel homes that satisfy in quality rather than quantity, there will be a huge shift in what we perceive as desirable."

She believes the current shrinking trend mimics one of 100 years ago, when simple bungalows supplanted elaborate Victorian homes as the design choice for many Americans. But, it could also just be the recession. "Home size gains flatten out or decline during recessions, and we're in the midst of the most serious housing recession in decades," said Kermit Baker, the chief economist for the American Institute of Architects.

 

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