Here are some interesting tidbits from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Homebuilders:
The living space of new houses being built in the U.S. has increased from about 1,500 square feet 30 years ago to more than 2,200 square feet today. Now they are decreasing in size.
Last year, the midpoint size for new homes in the U.S. was 2,219 square feet, compared to 2,277 the previous year. In the second quarter of this year it was 2,019 square feet.
Two possible reasons are an increase in first-time buyers seeking a federal tax credit and empty-nester baby boomers looking for less maintenance.
The percentage of new houses with four bedrooms or more shrank slightly, from 41 percent in 2007 to 40 percent in 2008, while the number of new houses with two bedrooms edged up from 11 to 12 percent during the year. New houses with three-bedrooms held steady at 28 percent, according to the data.
I’ve also noticed that many companies are beginning to “go green”
I found some info on the blog post that I think you’d find iteresting, Dave.
http://www.fischerandfrichtel.com/blog/index.php/category/green-living/
It does look interesting. Thanks for the link, Elizabeth.
In the 1950s, the average family had 3.6 children and the average house was around 1000 SF. Today, the average family has 2.1 children and the average house is 2000 SF. Families must finally be realizing that their grandma did fine with a small house is 1950, and they can do fine with it now.
Let me start by saying I have been a longtime fan, first time commenter. I thought I should probably say thanks for posting this piece (and all your others), and I’ll be back!