Buyers Want Smaller, Practical Homes, NAHB Says

Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 28, 2009--Experts from the National Association of Home Builders and Better Homes & Gardens Magazine found that Americans aren't interested in McMansions or large homes anymore, they're looking for something more practical.

Consumers are looking for economic and cozy spaces with neat organization.  What's interesting, however, is that the same group that presented this research, the NAHB, is also the group behind IBS and The New American Home of 8,721 square feet.

Be that as it may, buyer's aren't just looking for smaller homes.  They want function, so here's a breakdown of some of the things buyers are looking for in their homes:

    * "Wii-sized," media-centric family gathering rooms
    * More storage to keep clutter under control
    * Small homes with built in shelves for food storage
    * Energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
    * Energy-efficient homes with lower utility bills
    * Outdoor spaces, such as a front porch
    * A dedicated home office space

Speaking to The Washington Post, David Poole, sales manager at a development with smaller-sized homes, said, "It's an easier buyer to get into [a small house] just because of the circumstances of the economy ... people aren't buying big, huge homes with no yard."