The Wall Street Journal 1-18-2012
The “New American Home” is shrinking.
When they start to build homes again in the Placer County and Sacramento regions, we will start to see this trend. I am hoping that we will see more high density and infill projects in the future that reflect this trend. Also, look for interior design colors to get lighter. We might even see a return to the “white wall” trend or at least very light colors. As spaces get smaller, light colors help to create the illusion of more space.
Every year at its convention, the National Association of Home Builders highlights the New American Home, a high-end model designed and built to capture emerging trends in residential building and the shifting lifestyles of Americans.
This year’s showpiece, which measures 4,181 square feet and is one of the smallest in the popular program’s 29-year history, shows that the love affair with McMansions seems to be waning.
Indeed, last year’s featured home sprawled over 6,800 square feet. The nation’s average home size, which peaked just above 2,500 square feet in 2007, is expected to shrink to 2,152 square feet by 2015.
Of course, even the downsized New American Home remains above average. It was built in an infill Orlando location within walking distance of shops and restaurants. Many Americans, builders have learned, are fed up with pricey gas and lengthy commutes.
Tags: Granite Bay Real Estate, Lincoln Real Estate, Placer County Real Estate, Rocklin Real Estate, Roseville Real Estate