photo credit: Scorpions and Centaurs
Experts predict that by the year 2015, new single-family homes will become smaller in size. Stephen Melman, the Director of Economic Services at the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) in Washington, D.C., reports that when surveyed, builders expect new-construction single-family homes will average 2,150 square feet down more than half of the current 2,400 square feet. The recession is one reason for the decrease in home size, but others purport that these changes will last even after the economy fully recovers. Melman says, "Although affordability is driving these decisions, smaller homes are a positive for builders. It allows for more creative design, more amenities, better flow. Its an opportunity to deliver a better home."
In addition to house size, another feature to change by 2015 is the living room. According to the aforementioned survey, 52 percent of American builders think that the living room will "merge with other spaces" in the home. 30 percent think it will disappear entirely. In lieu of a living room, we will be seeing more and more homes with a great room only combining the family and living room and flowing into the kitchen area. Experts say we will begin to see larger laundry rooms, more walk-in closets in the master bedroom or master suites, more porches, eating spaces within kitchens, more two-car-garages, and an abundance of ceiling fans. We can expect to see less mudrooms, less formal dining rooms, less media/hobby rooms, less skylights, and less homes containing four or more bedrooms.
A lot of builders and buyers are moving towards a more green-centric home smaller homes means much more efficient cooling and heating. Ceiling fans will evenly distribute heat as opposed to skylights, which release heat. As builders move more towards going green, they will also be installing energy-efficient windows, lighting, and plumbing. Some homes will be built specifically for baby-boomers, with main-floor master suites, walk-in showers, and bars in the bathrooms.
Melman concludes by stating that a "bigger share of the new homes will be purchased by people 55 or 65 and older. Theyre more likely to have more cash for a down payment, but theyre empty-nesters, so they dont need five bedrooms."
