The Rise of Small House Plans

|The Rise of Small House Plans For decades, new home sizes have been trending upward. But a changing economic climate, coupled with increasing concern for the environment, has launched a new trend: the small house movement. The Incredible Shrinking Home ------- 1973 1983 1993 2003 2007 2008 2009 2010 2015 1,660 ft 1,725 ft 2,095 ft 2,330 ft 2,521 ft 2,519 ft 2,438 ft 2,392 ft The average size of a new U.S. home grew 40% in three decades. Since 2007, however, new homes have shrunk 5%. The average home size is expected to shrink another 10% by 2015. What is your ideal home size? 9 in 10 builders report building or planning smaller, lower-priced More than 1/3 of homeowners say they prefer house plans smaller than 2,000 ft homes than in the past. 13,200 ft 12,600 – 3,200 ft? 12,000 – 2,600 ft 11,400 – 2,000 ft? 1800 – 1,400 ft undecided Despite the shrinking: the average American larger than in |2X France & Spain By larger than in Britain home is still: H What's Fueling the Decline in House Size? Decreasing Lot Sizes Aging in Place Environmental Consciousness 28% of Americans Acres of forest clear-cut % of home design firms reporting a decrease in lot sizes: ages 55 to 59 would like a smaller home. to build a home: 2,200 ft 1 acre 2011 22% 2010 32% 2009 26% 2008 35% 2007 37% 28% 4,400 ft? 2 acres Energy Costs Resale Market Growth of Single-Person Households FOR SALE Median size and cost of Average annual energy costs to power a home: homes purchased in 2012: % of single-person households in the U.S. $1,386 First-time buyers Repeat buyers 2,100 ft $220,000 1,600 ft $154,100 28% 2012 2,200 ft 2 out of 5 homebuyers are first-time buyers. 14% 1960 $ $2,772 8% 1940 4,400 ft2 H The New Home of 2015 The National Association of Home Builders conducted a survey of building industry experts to predict what homes will look like in 2015. Rooms Likely to Be Included Estimated size: 2152 ft? OUTDOOR LIVING / SUNROOM NOT AT ALL LIKELY VERY LIKELY (VAULTED) MASTER 4.4 GREAT ROOM BEDROOM GREAT ROOM 4.5 WALK-IN CLOSET IN DINING MASTER BEDROOM 4.2 LAUNDRY ROOM 4.1 MASTER BEDROOM ON HOME GROUND FLOOR OFFICE 71 4.0 2-CAR GARAGE PAN WALK-IN CLOSET 3.8 HOME OFFICE MUD AREA BEDROOM 2.9 MUDROOM MEDIA 2.8 DINING RO0M ROOM 2.5 LIVING ROOM 2-CAR GARAGE BONUS 2.4 MEDIA ROOM DOM ROOM 2.2 SUNROOM Plan 22198 50 The Cotswolder The Vanishing Living Room? Builders anticipate living rooms will: 5% 54% of builders said IMerge with other rooms 13% the family room is likely to increase its share of IVanish to minimize square footage Become a parlor, retreat, library or music room IStay as is 52% floor space - the only area of the home likely 30% to get bigger. Popular Features for 2015 Other Emerging Housing Trends % of home design firms reporting increased demand for: 74% Smaller homes 68% More green features 63% Low-irrigation landscaping 46% Blended indoor/outdoor space 29% More technology features 58% Accessibility 35% Single-floor design 20% More universal access features 49% Open layout 30% Exterior/security lighting 10% More outdoor living space 49% Rainwater harvesting 21% Eco-friendly fencing Source: National Association of Home Builders SOURCES: U.S. Census Bureau, National Association of Home Builders, Harris Interactive, British Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, American Institute of Architecture, The Washington Post, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Association of Realtors Copyright © Alan Mascord Design Associates HHouseplans.co http://www.houseplans.co