Home > Home Buying Advice > Changes in New Home Architecture with Today's Market

New Home Architecture in Today's Market

by Natalie Ketchum

Knitter & Associates is a full service architectural and planning firm headquartered in Orange County, CA. We are facing the challenges of the economy along with all others in the building related industries.

We are finding our clients getting back to basics - AFFORDABILITY:

* Higher density/smaller units
* More economical and easier to build:

- Substantial value engineering
- Lower ceiling heights
- Back to the 50's and 60's - higher bedroom count with less frills (hallway bathrooms ok).
- Options are back - Manufactured hard surfaces and ceramic tile are returning as options for kitchens and baths not as concerned with granite or corian
- Green building and green environments are very important but must be affordable

Builders are facing the challenges of getting construction loans and consumers are facing the difficulties of obtaining mortgages. It has to be the right price for the right product - whether it be $250,000 or $1,200,000, there has to be perceived value for purchasing dollar.

Homebuyers will probably start new models the day after the banking industry gets out of the foreclosed home market.