Successful homebuilders always study the desires, needs and priorities of homeowners. As these elements change, homebuilders respond to them and incorporate them in their home design and construction activities.
Over the five-year period from 2005 to 2009, significant changes in the design and features of single-family homes occurred. As the housing market turned from a frenzy of large loans and large homes to a frenzy of foreclosures, homebuilders adjusted and responded to the downsizing trend that followed.
The following changes were collated in the last months of 2010 by the Census Bureau and analyzed by the National Association of Home Builders:
Size of single-family homes. In 2005, the 2,268-square-foot home was prevalent. As homebuilders realized the need to cut energy costs and as first time homebuyers looked for more affordable homes, they downsized the floor area by 168 square feet to arrive to a median size of 2,100 square feet in 2009.
Percentage of large houses. As a consequence of downsizing, the share of 4,000-square-foot houses or bigger in the number of new homes being built dropped from more than nine percent to about seven percent.
New houses with heat pumps. Again, the desire to cut energy costs was recognized by homebuilders. The campaign for energy-efficiency by the Energy Department and for green living by the Environmental Protection Agency also contributed to the rising support for energy conservation.
Amenities that became luxuries. Fireplaces, three-car garages, decks and patios were common features during the years of plenty. With homebuilders adapting to the times, the share of newly-constructed homes with these superb features has declined.
Number of bedrooms and bathrooms. The number did not change significantly. The number of bedrooms remained at 3 to 4 rooms and the number of bathrooms remained at 2 to 3 rooms.
Siding material. Particularly in the West, the use of stucco as a primary siding material declined. The materials that increased in use were vinyl, brick and fiber cement.
New homes built by homebuilders for sale still dominated the market, but the share has dropped by nearly 13 percent. This new year, homebuilders hope to recover by building more and selling more as they respond to the needs and desires of homebuyers.
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