Have you heard of The Incredible Shrinking Woman? It’s a cute classic movie starring Lily Tomlin as a housewife who mysteriously starts getting smaller and smaller.
Well, the same thing is happening to U.S. homes, according to the Wall Street Journal. The paper cited the National Association of Home Builders’ yearly New American Home, an upscale property meant to showcase U.S. trends in residential building. This year’s home was a little over 4,000 square feet – big for sure, but not compared to the previous year’s 6,800 square feet. In fact, the Journal claims that the house is one of the smallest in the program’s nearly three decades.
So what’s going on here? Well, for one, McMansions just ain’t in favor the way they once were. With many Americans sick of high gas prices and grinding commutes, people are finding city homes that have convenience – if not copious space – on their side.
Of course, here in San Francisco our houses run much smaller. Outside of our grander neighborhoods like Pacific Heights or Saint Francis Wood, we get excited when a home tops 1,800 square feet.
Victorians usually tended to be modest folks, and when there is more square footage, it’s often coming from expanded basement or attic rooms.
We also have smaller lots. The standard lot size in San Francisco is 25 by 100 feet and many of our neighborhoods have attached homes, not detached. In Bernal Heights the lot size runs even smaller—75 by 100 feet.
Looking for a home that’s just your size? Get in touch.
Dreaming of San Francisco? Cece Blase offers local advice to San Francisco buyers, sellers and owners-- and feeds the dreams of those who wish they could live in Tony Bennett's 'City by the Bay.' Call 415-577-0809 or email cblase@paragon-re.com. www.ceceblase.com
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