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If you read my post about “New Breed of Builders: Cottages for Seniors” you know my desire for builders to construct smaller homes for seniors (and others) who wish to downsize. Also, if you read that post, you saw there are builders in Washington currently building small homes. I had a video showcasing the homes and builders in that post.

The other evening on ABC News had a story entitled “Scaling Down the House”, about downsizing where two owners had homes built under 800 sq. ft. and another around 500 sq. ft.  One paid $50,000 and the other paid only $10,000 to have the home built (without the cost of land).  Both owners live in Portland and it showed the builder who built those smaller homes.  Unfortunately, he said he can’t keep up with the demand that has been created.  Granted these may be extreme and, others might want slightly larger homes than those, but isn’t it possible to build them?  YES!

I’ve been challenging builders for years to do the same thing.  So, if one builder can do it why can’t others?  I understand land costs are high.  However, prices are coming down, there’s available inventory of land/lots.  Lending is tight but there is a real need for this type of home and builder in our local marketplace. There must be a need like this in other areas as well.  Please no more McMansions.  Also, I think in the future, the larger homes will become harder to resell. Now with our financial crisis, perhaps more people will realize we all need to get rid of ”stuff”.  Less is more.

The news report said this is a new trend.  It’s been something I’ve been complaining about since the 1980s. Please let’s have more builders step up to the plate and build smaller homes.  I know builders want to maximize their investment and make the most money, but there’s a real need for the smaller, affordable, senior-friendly home and for those who don’t want or need lots of sq. ft. or a high mortgage.  I’ll get off my soap-box when I see it happening.

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