We have always heard bigger is better. This is no longer the case in a home. I recall growing up, the size of home was a sign of how much money or success one had. This is no longer the case. Baby boomers especially are leaning more to smaller, more functional homes.

Some might say a large home has a lot of extra space, reflecting not only more initial cost, more raw construction materials, and more waste, but also inevitably more electricity, more gas, more water, more cleaning supplies, more maintenance, and more... stuff, to fill up all that extra space! And let’s not even think about the time it takes to clean a big house.

Bigger is not always better. More people are opting for a smaller home. The latest trend even includes more green features, environmental awareness, functional uses, etc. Smaller homes with even guest homes are a big hit. Building smaller can even incorporate those extras that the larger homes have. Those items include granite, wooden floors, higher end appliances, metal roofs, and more. The big saving is on electric, gas, water, and more. More home owners are becoming aware of the environment and adding some energy features. Some energy features that can save money include: improved insulation, higher quality windows, upgraded roofing and thicker sheet rock, concrete homes, solar panels, rain water collection systems, and more. Talk to your builder about all the options.

So does size really matter? The point here is making the most of a smaller space to make your life easier and possibly even more enjoyable. What have any of you discovered during your lifetime of trading up apartments or homes? Do you find that you can live better in a smaller space, or do you need the extra square feet?

Some information for this article was taken from http://www.treehugger.com

For all your real estate and building needs or questions, call Debbie at 830-833-4249 / 713-818-6658 or debbie@ vallonerealestate.net.