Size Matters

Our homes are getting bigger. The National Association of Home Builders estimates that the average U.S. residence grew 40 percent over the last two decades and 4 percent from 2004, encompassing 2,433 square feet last year.

As a lifelong resident of Town and Country, MO, I have first hand experience of this. I keep seeing larger and larger homes being built in our area. I grew up in a house built in 1980 -- about 3100 square feet. At the time, we thought it was rather large. I currently live in a house that was built in 1965 -- about 2400 square feet. But today, homes that are being built in Town and Country are huge -- most in excess of 5000 square feet. It is an interesting trend.

As a developer of subdivisions, I see my customers building custom homes that are gigantic. Empty-nesters who would be defined as middle class are building 3500 square foot ranches with fully finished lower levels (adding sometimes up to 3000 additional square feet of living space!)

I don't know if bigger is better -- but size definitely matters.