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Is small the new big???
- Thread starter Chickpea
- Start date
Rambunkscious
Beach Lover
I'm with you GYPSEA!!!
On the issue of small vs larger homes, some practical perspectives need to be accounted for. Keep in mind, most of these larger homes were built in the recent boom. Building lots were a million bucks and more. When you pay that kind of bucks for a building lot, you mean you are gonna put a small, bare bones house on it???? You almost have to put a larger deluxe house on a lot that costs that much. Hindsight is 20-20, if we had known that the market would be krapper bound, & that the lot prices would also go in the krapper, maybe smaller houses would make some economic sense. I was never very good at fortune telling.
On the issue of small vs larger homes, some practical perspectives need to be accounted for. Keep in mind, most of these larger homes were built in the recent boom. Building lots were a million bucks and more. When you pay that kind of bucks for a building lot, you mean you are gonna put a small, bare bones house on it???? You almost have to put a larger deluxe house on a lot that costs that much. Hindsight is 20-20, if we had known that the market would be krapper bound, & that the lot prices would also go in the krapper, maybe smaller houses would make some economic sense. I was never very good at fortune telling.
Smiling JOe
SoWal Expert
Funny you say that, because about five years ago, my thoughts of this first began. To whom are they marketing these huge homes? Back then, anyone would buy them. However, I don't think they were thinking about the retiring baby boomers getting old. I think we will one day see these huge homes gutted, and rebuilt with three kitchens and and elevator, converting one home into three unit condos for the aging population.
seacrestkristi
Beach Fanatic
When any of you'll are ready to build right size and green, give me a call. I have all the sources at my fingertips. "Prefab" or systems-built (6 different companies) that will withstand the nasty (occasionally) weather between beautiful sunny days, Insulated and sealed tight as a drum so you do not need 3 A/C's. Even have financing for energy efficient loans on your lot. And most importantly, it will look like the house next door, if that is what you want or the architectural review board 
will allow.
will allow.
iqueequeg
Beach Lover
We built our 3300 sf house in a Boston suburb 10 years ago, and believe it or not were told it was too small for the neighborhood (average size in our neighborhood is 6000-7000 sf ). Our house was architect designed, the spaces all flow, and it has "curb appeal" from some of the nice touches the architect added. We put it on the market 2 months ago and it sold within a month. There are 3 other houses within a block that have been on the market for over a year. One of them was only priced a little more than ours, and is 6000 sf. The owners of that house actually approached our agent and said "I don't understand why they didn't buy our house-it's so much bigger!"
It seems to me that this McMansion trend is an exercise in circular logic, where the initial builder and subsequent buyers require features that they don't need but think some future buyer will want. People build as much space as they can afford, because the "investment" part of the home purchase says the bigger the better, right? Then they add features that they never even plan on using (when's the last time you used your whirlpool tub?) because "buyers in this price range will expect it". They scrimp on things that actually make a house more livable, but that don't add square footage, like using an architect, adding porches, and adding exterior finishes that make a house look inviting. Then at the end, they're out of money so half the rooms end up undecorated and unused.
This kind of thinking is perpetuated by listings that compare prices per square foot, particularly in developments like Watercolor or Rosemary. It implies that the houses are otherwise identical, so you should simply buy the one that has the cheapest price per square foot. Instead, buy the one that you like, and that works for you. Chances are, when the time comes to sell, you'll find someone else who likes it too.
It seems to me that this McMansion trend is an exercise in circular logic, where the initial builder and subsequent buyers require features that they don't need but think some future buyer will want. People build as much space as they can afford, because the "investment" part of the home purchase says the bigger the better, right? Then they add features that they never even plan on using (when's the last time you used your whirlpool tub?) because "buyers in this price range will expect it". They scrimp on things that actually make a house more livable, but that don't add square footage, like using an architect, adding porches, and adding exterior finishes that make a house look inviting. Then at the end, they're out of money so half the rooms end up undecorated and unused.
This kind of thinking is perpetuated by listings that compare prices per square foot, particularly in developments like Watercolor or Rosemary. It implies that the houses are otherwise identical, so you should simply buy the one that has the cheapest price per square foot. Instead, buy the one that you like, and that works for you. Chances are, when the time comes to sell, you'll find someone else who likes it too.
NoHall
hmmmm......can't remember
I think I'm winning the "undersized" house contest here. I'm at 1232 sq ft. Granted, I live alone. If I had kids, this place would be crowded. But it's perfect for me, and I can clean it from tip to tail in under 2 hours.
I was working in the back yard today and at one time could hear all 3 ac units runningCan't wait to see that bill
Did I mention that I live in the Deep South and don't have central ac? I have a giant tree instead, right between me and the afternoon sun.
I really don't understand the concept of living in something so large unless there are 6 or more children living at home.
tistheseason
Beach Fanatic
I think you are on to something here! I think this a great idea. Maybe we should start buying them up and converting them. . . the baby boomers will be ready for them soon!
Want to go into business together?
Chickpea, your last sentence brings to mind my parents. About five years ago they sold the house I grew up in--a rambling 4 bedroom in the Boston suburbs--and downsized to a 1200 sq ft condo in Naples. It took them a full year to get rid of a lifetime's accumulated stuff (I think the mental anguish in reducing took as much time as the physical aspect of tossing and/or giving away ;-) ).
My father is a talented engineer and he fully gutted the circa 1980s condo, refiguring the spaces to make everything useful, much as Susan Susanka has preached for years. My parent's 1200 sq ft lives like someone else's 2400. Proof positive that it's not not how much you have, but what you do with it. My mother--who initially resisted downsizing--now says that when you have less to take care of, you have more time to do what you really want to do. Like have funn.
John R
needs to get out more
my first house was 900sf, great to live in, but a little hard/small to run my business out of(tv's take up a lot of space)
second house was 1518sf, perfect. i miss it a lot.
current house is 1519sf, one more than perfect
when i move back west, i think i'd like to build smaller. just have one guest room instead of two. possibly an out-building for the truck and shop.
i've got my eye on this(available in steel): http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0242/0242pg.html
some links: http://www.fabprefab.com/
http://livemodern.com/home
second house was 1518sf, perfect. i miss it a lot.
current house is 1519sf, one more than perfect
when i move back west, i think i'd like to build smaller. just have one guest room instead of two. possibly an out-building for the truck and shop.
i've got my eye on this(available in steel): http://www.lamidesign.com/plans/planscat/0242/0242pg.html
some links: http://www.fabprefab.com/
http://livemodern.com/home