This book has spawned an entire 'Not so big' lifestyle movement

The average American home has grown over the last 30 years from 1,645 square feet to 2,219 sq ft while the number of children families are having has decreased over the same time–as have lot sizes.

How much space do you need for the way that you live? In addition to being  more expensive, is it somehow unethical to buy more home than you need ?

The average (of 5,902) Columbus single family home that sold in 2009 was  1,515 SF which speaks to the age of most Columbus homes. Expand that to Franklin County(10,746 homes sold in Franklin County in ‘09) and the average square feet jumps to 1,762.

Americans like a little elbow room. They also enjoy trading up…homes, cars, jobs.  Sometimes keeping up with the neighbors means moving away from them to get a bigger house. But how big is too big? Is there even such a thing?

In my experience, most Homebuyers have eyes that are bigger than their pre-approval–not neccisarily for more house as much as nicer house – in better location. The big beautiful house, especially in historic parts of Columbus and even the fixer-upper, is attractive. What’s wrong with wanting a big house? Nothing. What about the resources used to heat, cool and maintain that bigger house?

Is largess simply a suburban phenomenon? In Deleware County, the average home sold last year was a whopping 2,642 square feet. When Buyers say they want more for their money, they want more — more house, more upgrades, more yard, more finished basements and yes, more square feet. It’s as true in Clintonville as it is Grandview or Upper Arlington, or German Village or Bexley.

Really, can you blame them? You need some space to hang a flatscrren, to play Wii, to have a dog, to have a bedroom for each child–some with their own bathroom. There can be a deep satisfaction that comes with surveying all that is yours and knowing you’ve achieved this much house. I think, though, that there is a small but growing contingent that wants the not-so-big house.

Buyers want the house that suits their needs. Cozy may translate as ‘tiny’ in MLS Agent Remarks but let’s face it, our lives are busier than ever so why not concentrate more time and money with the family than the house? Even a perfectly small house could keep you busy day and night as you make every nook and cranny sparkle and work for you. The whole Simply Living craze is real. More and more people want to enjoy their house, not worry about furnishing the ‘bonus room’ or heating the grand 2-story foyer.

There is no right or wrong. The house you want is the house you want. In the end you’re like Goldilocks, the home you buy is the one that is ‘just right’ for you.