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Hey Boomers, what size is your house of the future?

By Wanda Thomas

Real Estate Agent with Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN

January 23, 2009 04:08 PM

Has your 401K made you reconsider your retirement home size?

Small House Medium Sized House Multi Level House

Not too big, not too small, just right! Since our average house size has increased, and increased and increased; will baby boomers look more to downsize and simplify, or do they still want McMansions?

I hear the voice of a little concern in my age group, what will the future bring? What size will my Recession house be? How long will a recovery of my 401K take? Can I afford my big dream house or should I just have sweet dreams in a smaller one?

Since Cash Is King, and the more of it you have the better off you are, maybe we'll see a bit more satisfaction in a normal sized house you can afford.

So I ask you, what size will be the right size?

1200sf 2000sf 2500sf 3200sf 4500sf 5500sf 6500sf

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Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

The size of my homes follow a bell curve. In my youth, it was a small apartment,...then a house...then a bigger house....and the biggest house....down to medium...then small. Yes, at first it followed my income growth, too. Later, it followed my ability to keep a house. Less is indeed more.

As I approach my golden years, I'll be happy to have a home just like my first home, all on one level, no steps to entry. So the right size home will probably depend on what stage of your life you're in.

Jan 23, 2009 04:24 PM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Wanda, This is an interesting question! My answer-- the one with no mortgage!! From where I'm sitting...and my investments going down every day I'm worried it will be a cardboard box, under the bridge. ( kidding)

I think The "Haves" will have their big house, and not worry about how to heat it, or cool it, and the "Have nots" will do the best they can... just like always.

Jan 23, 2009 04:30 PM

Lynda Eisenmann

Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA

Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Wanda,

2,000 sq. ft. according to your question. Truthfully 1450 and SINGLE STORY (no steps no stairs anywhere) would be just about right. Like Mary (above) no, or minimal mortage would be the best.

Jan 23, 2009 04:56 PM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Wanda...

As you get older, you don't want to spend your time cleaning and doing yard work, so smaller is better ... greener too!

Jan 23, 2009 11:01 PM

Wanda Thomas

Montana Homestead Brokers, Broker, CRS, GRI, SFR, RN - Billings, MT

Billings Montana Real Estate

Pacita--Oh no, I'm on the downward slope

Mary--You are so right! We have a bit of the hippie mentality and have an energy efficient home, nearly paid for, a few acres for an animal or two, I want some chickens, and we have fruit trees and a garden. Will this be called a recession garden as well?

Lynda--Single story rules! We can role the piano in the front door. But yikes, we have alot of outside work to do.

Richard--Smaller is better, just don't like wasted unused space

Not sure how long our investments will take to recoop. I hope I still like Real Estate in another 10 years!

Jan 24, 2009 09:32 AM

Hey Boomers, what size is your house of the future?

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