Little Houses Setting Real Estate Trends All Over The U.S.!
The latest trend toward smaller homes is a result of the economic recession, but has many benefits to both homeowners and our nation. 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.
Even big companies like Lowe’s home improvement stores sell a model of a kit home that is designed for owner construction to save you money.
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.
Featuring reduced energy costs and lower mortgage payments, smaller homes are really an easy sale. residences that have conventional ceiling heights of about 8 feet have a record of reduced energy costs. Regardless of if the climate is hot or cold the energy efficient traits of smaller houses pay off due ot the fact that you are treating a smaller scale volume of air.
In addition to the previously listed traits, a smaller home will also increase the best use of your building lot in many ways. With more room on your lot due to the fact that you home now takes up less space on your lot, you can use your lot to put up solar panels, solar water heaters or grow your own veggies. Putting up that extra concrete pad for a basketball hoop may even be a reality!
The author enjoys writing articles about Boise real estate & Boise homes. Click on the above links for more information about this topic!