Leave a Message

Thank you for your message. We will be in touch with you shortly.

Explore Our Properties

The Latest Builder Trend: Smaller, Less Expensive Homes

The Gentry Team September 23, 2024

Even though affordability is improving, buying a home can still feel tough right now. But here’s some good news: builders are focusing their efforts on building smaller homes, and they’re offering key incentives to buyers. And both of these things can be a big help if you’re worried about finding a home that’s right for your budget.
 

Builders Are Building Smaller Homes 

During the pandemic, homebuyers were looking for larger homes—and many could afford them. Builders responded to that demand and created bigger spaces to help people with things like working from home, setting up home gyms, and having extra rooms for virtual school.
 
Now, with affordability as tight as it is, builders are turning their focus to smaller single-family homes. Data from the Census shows how significant this trend toward smaller new homes has been over the last couple of years (see graph below):
 
 
But why would builders want to build smaller homes right now? At the end of the day, builders are going to focus on building homes that meet current market demand – because they want to build what they know will sell. And the number one thing homebuyers are looking for right now is better affordability. Since smaller homes typically come with smaller price tags, both buyers and builders have shifted their focus to homes with less square footage. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reports:
 
“Home buyers are looking for homes around 2,070 square feet, compared to 2,260 20 years ago.”
 
And according to Orphe Divounguy, Senior Economist at Zillow:
 
“Not only are cash-strapped buyers continually seeking out lower-cost options, but developers are changing what type and size of home they’re producing to try and meet that need.”
 

How a Newly Built Home Can Help You Achieve Your Homebuying Goals

So, if you’re having a hard time finding something in your budget, it may be time to look at brand-new homes that have a smaller footprint. When you do, you may get a few other fringe benefits that can help on the affordability front – like price reductions or mortgage rate buy-downs.
 
According to the most recent data from Zonda, more than half of builders are offering incentives, some of which are mortgage rate buydowns. And those perks could help lower your future monthly housing payment too. John Burns, CEO of John Burns Research & Consulting, shares:
 
“The monthly payment matters more than anything else and builders have responded with smaller, more efficient homes.”
 
Not to mention, with new home construction, you’ll also get brand new everything, have fewer maintenance needs, and get some of the latest features available. That’s worth looking into, right?
 

Bottom Line

With builders focusing on smaller homes, you may have more budget-friendly options when it matters most. If you’re thinking about buying a home soon, let’s connect and see what’s available where you want to live.

Recent Blog Posts

Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.

What’s Next for Home Prices and Mortgage Rates?

Here are what experts are saying about both prices and rates.

The Best Time To Sell Your House Is When Others Aren’t Selling

If you’re ready to sell now, beat the competition before it comes onto the market.

Why Buying or Selling a Home Helps the Economy and Your Community

You’re not just meeting your own needs, you’re also making a positive impact on the community.

What Everyone’s Getting Wrong About the Rise in New Home Inventory

You may have seen talk online that new home inventory is at its highest level since the crash.

History Shows the Housing Market Always Recovers

Every slowdown in the past has eventually given way to more activity, and this one will too.

Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?

If concerns about bidding wars have been holding you back, it may be time to take another look.

From Frenzy to Breathing Room: Buyers Finally Have Time Again

If you tried to buy a home a few years ago, you probably still remember the frenzy.

Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s Buyers

For first-time buyers, they can be a smart way to get into homeownership without stretching your budget.

More Contracts Are Falling Through. Here’s How To Get Ahead

When you sell a house, the last thing you want is for the deal to fall apart right before closing.

View All

Work With Real Locals

If working with a team that truly gives back to the community matters to you, we would make a great match. Reach out today to get started on buying or selling your home with a team that knows Moore County inside and out. With decades in the industry and an exceptional team of sales specialists, The Gentry Team has sold more homes than any other real estate firm in Moore County—and more than the total volume of most real estate companies in the region. This level of experience is unmatched, allowing us to help you sell your home for top value while anticipating and handling every detail along the way. We work collaboratively, combining our collective expertise to achieve the very best results for our clients. It is an approach built on trust, teamwork, and proven success. When you work with real locals, you get real results.

Contact Us
Get in Touch
Contact Details

THE GENTRY TEAM

(910) 295-7100

[email protected]



5 Chinquapin Rd
Pinehurst NC 28374