NAHB Announces Changes in Home Sizes and Features - by Tom Brewer

NAHB Announces Changes in Home Sizes and Features

The National Association of Home Builders is responding to an ever-increasing demand in the market for homes that are more economically and environmentally friendly. While in many cases using different materials during the building process can increase the cost for builders, they will generally still turn a good profit.
With a huge push from the prevailing real estate market woes, the NAHB is staying current with recent market trends that call for affordable homes with modern features.

For the first time in decades, homes are being built smaller and with less add-on features. It’s a simple equation when you consider that a smaller home will cost the consumer less to buy, less to maintain and less to light, heat and cool. The days of the so-called “McMansions” are not totally gone but they may be numbered when it comes to new construction projects.

Some of the key features builders are more likely to exclude with some of their newer homes are multiple stories, outdoor living spaces, extravagant bathrooms and some built-ins. A lot of these features are just unnecessary and apparently unwanted by the majority of today’s more budget and environment conscious homebuyers.

Homebuyers are also demanding more energy efficient features that will save them money and energy consumption over time. These include any of the long list of items featured on the EnergyStar website. They range from energy-efficient doors and window to whole home heating and air conditioning systems.

The homebuyers of 2010 and beyond will demand the best in quality and performance for their new homes and builders, especially EnergyStar approved builders, will lead the industry in producing more efficient homes that will reduce the costs of home ownership for buyers as well as decrease the impact the homes make on the environment.