Fitness for the McMansion

By
Real Estate Agent with Real Estate

During the last decade as mortgage rates dropped to historic lows and housing prices climbed the new construction in the Connecticut Shoreline towns have mainly been McMansions.   Many of these homes include a large bonus room above the 3-car garage that is typically sparsely furnished or cluttered with an abundance of  toys.

As the aging Baby Boomer's re-evaluate their housing need the Home Fitness Room is becoming increasingly popular.  According to the American Institute of Architects Home Design Trends Survey the Exercise Room has moved into third position as desirable amenities in a home.  The Number One feature on the list of specialty rooms is a Home Office and in second place the Media/Theater Room.

As the children age and you are looking for ideas to transform the newly found space in your home designing a personal fitness room may be a good solution for your health as well as your resale value.

Downsizing is also an option,  Contact Dan Cummings "The Running Real Estate Agent" to further discuss the housing market.

 

Comments (12)

Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro
Very good idea! The McMansion part of the market has had a big drop in demand in MN. There are going to be awesome opportunities for buyers in this segment all over...Having a plan for that additional space is essential. Good idea and information Dan!
Jul 14, 2007 12:26 AM
No Longer Active
Real Estate - Fallon, MT
Teri... We have the same slow down in that segment here also.  Since many of these homes were purchased at the hight of the market the owners may be holding on to them longer than anticipated.
Jul 14, 2007 01:09 AM
Sandra Cummings
William Raveis Real Estate - Guilford, CT
Real Estate Agent, Guilford Connecticut

Dan:

Really great post!!!! Not your usual writing. Must be that new attitude you keep telling me about : )

Sandra

Jul 14, 2007 01:37 AM
Susie Roscoe
Signature Realty Associates - Brandon, FL
Real Estate Specialist | Brandon, FL
I love this idea!!  It's true...everyone needs "a room" now for their home gyms.  McMansion...I'll have to use that phrase next time i'm out!!  VERY COOL!
Jul 14, 2007 03:07 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Dan, I had not thought about this before reading your Post, but you are right, more and more of the Open Houses that I stop at, especially the larger ones, there is dedicated space as a fitness area.

Sandra, you crack me up........LOL 

Jul 14, 2007 03:52 AM
Armando Rodriguez
QUEST REALTY SERVICES - Orlando, FL
Orlando Homes 4 Sale, Real Estate Broker-GRI
I see exercise equipment in just about every home. Some people use it others unfortunately don't. You see alot of garage sales featuring equipment barely used. The late night exercise equipment infomercials are really good at getting you to buy.  The thing is that it's as I like to say, exercise is 25% perspiration and 75% determination.
Jul 14, 2007 05:02 AM
Thesa Chambers
Fred Real Estate Group - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

Dan - I find it odd how much we put into media equipment and rooms in our homes... no wonder obesity is such a growing issue in America

Jul 14, 2007 05:31 AM
Sandi Bauman
Chico Homes Real Estate - Chico, CA
Chico CA Realtor
Dan-  you're right about that bonus room often being sparsely funished or cluttered with a mess of different things.  I was just noticing yesterday while showing a bunch of homes that none of them are really done WELL, as in designating the space to a specific purpose. 
Jul 14, 2007 09:56 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Dan,

Everyone needs a fitness room! That space( bonus room )above the garage is a perfect place, love it! :)

Jul 14, 2007 11:18 AM
Brad Andersohn
Executive Director of Education at eXp Realty - Fairfield, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Wish we had room to have a major work-out space!! Maybe it's time to up-size instead!  Thanks Dan.

BTW - mine are 10, 15, and 20....I am all of those combined and if I don't stop blogging and start jogging, I may need to hire you as my personal athletic assistant!!  LOL! SERIOUSLY!!

Jul 15, 2007 06:30 AM
Deb Hurt
Realty Pro Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
ABR, e-Pro,Green, TRC

Good idea. I hate McMansions on priciple but this is a great suggestion. I like the idea of downsizing and joining fitness club or walking more but that is not going to be attractive to everyone and these homes already exist so using the space for something constructive is. a good option.

Thanks for this post

Jul 15, 2007 10:26 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals
A fitness room only works, if you work out in it.  We have lots of equipment and I would still rather work out outside.  But there are days when it just isn't possible and then I come in.
Aug 01, 2007 02:56 PM

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