**Title: How to Determine the Ideal Square Footage for Your New Home**
**Introduction**
When planning to buy a house, understanding the average square footage of homes can significantly influence your search. While knowing the average size of American homes is helpful, it’s crucial to consider what size home will best fit your needs and lifestyle.
**What Is the Average Size of a House?**
In 1973, the average size of a single-family home in the U.S. was 1,660 square feet. By 2015, this number had increased to 2,687 square feet, a roughly 60% rise. However, by 2023, the median square footage of new single-family homes fell to 2,286 square feet, marking a nearly 15% reduction in eight years.
**The Benefits of Buying a Home with More Square Footage**
**Adding Square Footage Is Relatively Inexpensive in New Homes**
From a builders perspective, the cost of materials per square foot to create additional space is a relatively small percentage of the overall cost of building a new house. Increasing square footage is an easy and cost-effective way to enhance a buyers perception of a homes value.
**Consumer Demand**
Homeowners are generally attracted to homes that offer space for amenities like big kitchens, walk-in closets, laundry rooms, and en suite bathrooms. More square footage allows for more of these desirable features.
**Room to Grow**
Extra square footage often means extra bedrooms and bathrooms. Whether you plan on raising a family or not, this extra space allows flexibility for family members and guests to stay should the need arise.
**The Drawbacks of Buying a Home with More Square Footage**
**Higher Costs for Repairs**
The bigger the house, the higher the cost of keeping it in working condition. Depending on the types of repairs and projects you need to take care of, repairs can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. When budgeting for housing expenses, consider the average cost of services and materials in your area.
**More Expensive to Clean and Maintain**
Aside from the cost of maintenance, it takes more time to clean and care for a larger home. Bigger homes typically mean more bedrooms to tidy and bathrooms to clean, which can take up a lot of your time and money.
**Farther from Urban Centers**
Bigger homes tend to be farther from urban centers, which can drive up transportation costs and commute times depending on your place of work. Ask yourself whether the extra square footage in your home is worth the time and expense this might cost.
**Higher Energy Costs**
It should be no surprise that bigger homes typically have higher energy bills. If sustainability is a priority for you, a smaller home with energy-efficient features may be a better fit. However, newer homes built with energy-efficient features and older homes upgraded for lower energy consumption can offer a sustainable option.
**Inefficient Use of Available Space**
Many home buyers equate good design and functionality with size, assuming a larger house will accommodate them more comfortably. However, a thoughtfully designed small home can maximize every inch of space, while a large home can waste tons of space or have an inefficient layout.
**Uncertain Resale Value**
Many homeowners treat their homes as not only places to live but potential real estate investment opportunities. Theres a common belief that a larger home may offer a higher resale value and increased home equity. However, as size drops down the list of homeowners priorities and affordability and sustainability take the top spots, the demand for homes with more square footage may decline.
**What Square Footage Is Right for You?**
To help narrow your home search, estimate an average home size by square foot to find the right-sized home for your needs. Consider how you plan to use the home now and in the future.
**Questions to Ask Yourself**
**How Much House Can You Afford?**
Consider your monthly budget when estimating how much house you can comfortably afford and the potential impact your lifestyle choices may have on your ability to pay for a home.
**How Long Do You Plan on Living in the Home?**
If the answer is forever, youll need to plan for a wide range of possibilities which may justify buying a bigger home. If youre unsure, consider a starter home versus a forever home, especially if you dont plan to have children or have them right away.
**Do You Plan to Grow Your Family?**
If you have children or plan on starting a family soon, youll likely want a house with enough space to accommodate your family. Focus on the quality of the schools in the area, how family-friendly the area is, and how much you may pay in property taxes.
**Do You Plan to Share Your Home with Other Family Members?**
Consider the homes layout if you anticipate living with your parents or other relatives. You may need a home that allows you to create separate, dedicated spaces for your relatives and your immediate family. You may also need to consider issues like accessibility for family members with mobility issues.
**Do You and Your Spouse Plan to Stay in the Home?**
If you and your spouse or partner plan to stay in the home as you grow older, accessibility and layout are probably bigger priorities than square footage. Consider whether a ranch or a bungalow-style home with the master bedroom and common areas on the same floor may be right for you.
**How Much Outdoor Space Will You Need?**
Because bigger houses sometimes have bigger yards, you can expect higher costs for landscaping and maintenance. Home buyers moving from an urban area to a suburban community typically dream of having a yard complete with a giant swing set, a garden, and room for the dog to run. However, not everyone ends up using their yard as intended.
**The Bottom Line**
When buying a home, youll need to figure out the average house square footage that will meet your needs. Think deeply about what matters to you so you can create a budget and find the home that fits your life. If youre gearing up for a house hunt, start the approval process with O1ne Mortgage Inc. to get a reliable estimate of what you can afford. Visit [O1ne Mortgage Inc.](https://o1nemortgage.com) or call us at 888-372-8820 to speak with a mortgage expert today.
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