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Is The "Supersize Me" Generation Starting A Square Footage Diet?

Carbon Footprint My wife and I are in that age bracket where the thought of scaling down in size to have less to clean and less to maintain is a good thing: we might actually do it one of these days when and if we give up on the dream that our kids will be able to afford to move within a couple of miles of our neighborhood and will visit us frequently with grandchildren. Not likely-- and certainly less likely any time soon!

Still, I read here locally that developers were reducing the average size of a NEW house in our county, houses typically bought by younger families with children still in school, from nearly 2900 square feet (which seems enormous to me) down to a little over 2100 square feet. Is the "supersize me" generation finally having a reality check and reducing their concrete foundation footprint at the same time they're being encouraged just about everywhere to reduce their 'carbon' footprint-- or is it just that smaller houses cost less to build and to buy and thus are more likely to fall within the conforming loan and qualifying guidelines?

I wonder what the overall influence of the new reality surrounding mortgage availability will be on sociological phenomenons like the McMansion. Seems we all can live on less, but only being denied more will make us do so-- until we're older and realize that more isn't better... just more.

Chris Hendricks

Posted by Chris Hendricks on 03/04/2008 05:13 PM

Comments (7)

supersized, mcmansion, chris hendricks, carbon footprint

7 Comments on Is The "Supersize Me" Generation Starting A Square Footage Diet?

very funny. wow am I sick of politics this year!

03/04/2008 05:32 PM

by Team DiMuria, Katy Texas Realtors (Prudential Gary Greene Realtors)

I like that!! Square footage diet. Maybe we are. I will have to take note. Thanks!!!

03/04/2008 05:52 PM

by Debbie Mounteer (ECI- Right of Way)

I'm glad they are finally going smaller. When I was married and looking for homes, my husband thought I was nuts for thinking the homes were to big. Even now my son and I are in 1250 square feet and have two areas we never use.

03/04/2008 07:14 PM

by Sandra Carlisle, Realtor Newport Beach & Corona del Mar (First Team Estates)

More square footage equals higher taxes, utility bills and maintenance expenses. It is neither economical or environmentally friendly.

03/04/2008 07:18 PM

by Richard Weisser Coweta Fayette Real Estate ERA United Realty

Richard - I don't see people downsizing in the Houston area. My youngest son is in college, and I couldn't imagine downsizing. MY house is 3200 sq.ft. and is small compared to many homes in my area. Where would I put all my stuff? I seriously have thought about getting a home with the study downstairs however.

03/04/2008 10:12 PM

by Candy Henthorne- Spring Texas Real Estate (Results Realty)

Thanks to all for the comments. I think it's like the 'closet phenomenon' with houses: the bigger your house is, the more stuff you'll find to put inside it. Our closets aren't that large so we're constantly re-evaluating what 'things' to hang on to and what 'things' we can really live without.

03/05/2008 11:09 AM

by Chris Hendricks (Chris Hendricks)

It could very well be keeping up with the Jone's.

03/13/2008 10:54 PM

by Pam Winterbauer ~ 2006 REALTOR® of the Year (Windermere Welcome Home)

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