Subscribe Feed (RSS)Many home buyers toward are edging toward a tendency many real estate industry scholars are surprised with; smaller and more affordable housing. It is reported that nearly 60% of the builders in the United States are building smaller scale homes, by the American Institute of Architects, and the higher demand for such construction is reinforced by the reduction in other costs of housing.
As everyone’s IRAs hit the skids in early 2008, so did the demand for larger houses causing a lot of the chaos still being ironed out in the real estate market. With the lack of money came a desire for a smaller scale home that worked and the square footage average dropped by over 300 square feet.
These mini-houses can even be erected using re-used parts from other homes or outbuildings to lower the expense. In some of these “cottages” the wood is salvaged from old barns, deconstructed residences or some other source of materials to accommodate the reduced budget of today’s homeowners.
The comparatively low price of 40-90 thousand dollars for a little home illustrates their true value, especially when viewed in the light of homeowners still receiving luxuries like modern homes.
The small residences one California builder makes can be put on a foundation or on wheels. The retail costs for his plans are around one thousand dollars and they are erected for the mid thirties. He says that building a small home is similar to having a suit tailored to fit. As with any custom home, each small home showcases the exact desires of the homeowner it is designer for. Given the limited amount of space, many of the small residences have built-in space saving features and can store as much as larger residences.
Major corporations like Lowe’s, the home improvement retailer, vends it’s own “Katrina Cottages” designed to counter F.E.M.A.’s toxic trailers.
Given the tendency of people with extra room to accumulate more stuff, the little home size helps many people deal with the materialist nature we all tend to have. Many homeowners are taking those exact thoughts to heart and exchanging their energy “McMansions” for smaller, if not more humble homes.
Many people prefer the modern features of larger residences, but you do not have to go without when you buy a smaller home. They smaller scale residences even feature amenities like claw foot tubs and double door refrigerators for those of us who prefer those appliances. With economy in mind and luxury featured, these home are drawing a higher degree of green buyers too.
Since the little houses have a lower energy bill and a reduced mortgage payment, it is not hard to tell you why the trends are what they are. houses that have conventional ceiling heights of about 8 feet have a record of reduced energy costs. This holds true for not only heat but air conditioning as well, so this reduced home plan trend works everywhere from Texas to Alaska.
Finally, have a smaller home erected will not only keep your bills down, but it can also increase the recreational value of your home. With a smaller portion of your building lot taken up by the building, you can use more of it to grow tomatoes, raise goats or other pets, or any other recreational pursuit you may choose. You can even put that horseshoe pit in that you have been dreaming of!
The author enjoys writing articles on homes in Meridian Idaho and Meridian Idaho homes.
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