Concrete Home Building Council - 03/15/2007 (Plain Text Version)CHBC Chairman View Graphical Version | Subscribe
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Editor... In this issue: NAHB Study: Home of the FutureORLANDO, Fla. Feb. 8-- New homes have changed dramatically over the past five decades. Small one-story bungalows with less than 1,000 square feet, two bedrooms and a single bathroom have given way to two-story homes topping 2,400 square feet with three or more bedrooms and two or more bathrooms. Along the way, new homes have evolved to levels of comfort and sophistication that were virtually unimaginable even a generation ago. Given the rapid evolution of design, configuration and products in new homes, even a professional futurist might be hard-pressed to determine what the next five decades hold for housing. But a new study by the National Association of Home Builders provides a telling look at the homes buyers can expect to purchase in the nearer future - 2015. "The Home of the Future" study, introduced at the International Builders' Show in Orlando, was conducted in 2006 by NAHB's Economics Group. Based on polls of architects, designers, marketers and manufacturers, it provides a detailed view of what buyers can expect to find in an "average" home and an "upscale" home in 2015. Trends in All Houses
Perhaps most surprising, the consensus was that although average home size has increased significantly in the past decade, it is not likely to increase in the next 10 years. In fact, average home size in 2015 is likely to stay in the range of today's 2,400 square feet, and homes are increasingly likely to be two-story rather than one-story. Like today, kitchens and bathrooms will continue to be among the most important factors affecting consumer buying choices and will continue to feature upgraded materials and appliances. The focus on garages will also increase, with more consumers preferring three-car garages. Moreover, the door openings on garages will be larger to accommodate larger vehicles. Another growing trend is recessed lighting, which buyers can expect to find in homes in all price ranges along with wood floors. Communities are likely to reflect consumer preferences for open space, recreational opportunities and amenities such as walking and jogging trails and are also likely to be close to public transportation. Average Home in 2015
Patio
Upscale Home in 2015
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