Homes Are Getting Smaller

I just read a report from The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) that after growing in square footage for nearly three decades, the average floor space of the single-family home is getting smaller. In 2007, the average single-family home was 2,521 square feet. It didn't change much in 2008, but, according to a 2009 report from the Census Bureau, it's now at an average of 2,438 square feet. This decline can be related to an increase in first-time home buyers, the desire (and need) to keep energy costs down, and smaller amounts of equity in existing homes to roll into the new one.The report adds that fewer bedrooms and bathrooms are being built into houses.

Our experience at PATCO seems to bear this out. In order to meet the changing needs of our customers, we've been refining several of our floor plans. The Aspen - a popular model since it's introduction nearly two years ago - is 960 SF. An open concept design, even at this smaller size, it's 2 Bedrooms (plus an additional "Flex"" room) and one bath have made a lot of new homeowners happy! Other smaller models include the Balsam (1130 SF) and the Laurel (113 SF). - Mark Patterson