For many generations, people have correlated the size of one’s house to that person’s success. One of the main life goals for Americans is home ownership. However, recent data shows that homeowners might not actually need all of that home in Seattle with space.
In this blog, we’re going to look a bit closer at this unique issue to help your determine what size home in Seattle works best for you.
Today’s Homes Are BIG
Compared to the middle of the 20th century, homes now are much larger than they used to be. According to census data, the average size for a U.S. home is around 2,687 square feet. That average is over 1,000 square feet greater than the average home in Seattle size back in 1973.
Oddly enough, the average household size shrunk from 1973 until now. In 1973, the average household size was 3.01 people. In 2015, it shrunk down to 2.54. While homes are larger, there aren’t as many people living in them.
Wasting Space
In a recent American family study conducted by researchers at UCLA, the results showed something quite interesting. Even with growing home sizes, American families don’t use their larger living spaces any more than they did when they were small. The family room and kitchen are still the two most highly-trafficked rooms in the home.
When remodeling their homes, Americans also tend to prioritize bedrooms instead of those highly-trafficked areas.
Pandemic Impacts
There is no doubt that the pandemic has changed things quite a bit. Plenty of families are now trying to find places to retreat in their homes after spending more than a year in close quarters with their families. Outdoor space has become extremely important for people.
With the spike in remote work, households are beginning to double down on building home offices with spare bedrooms, breakfast nooks, or underutilized dining rooms.
How To Pick The Right Size
For new homebuyers in Seattle, there is quite a bit of data to consider. The market has a preference for larger homes, according to data based on value. In a post-pandemic society, the desire for a larger home space is even greater. The question is,
Should you purchase a larger home than you actually need just to maximize resale value?
People who believe you should pick a home that has just enough space that you will use would disagree. Here are a few pieces of food for thought:
- Are you planning on expanding your family in the near future?
- Do you need extra storage space?
- Do you spend tons of time outdoors?
- Are you in need of a home office space?
- Do you often have guests who stay the night?
According to census data, the average American household does not need to be any larger than two to three bedrooms.
Sometimes, bigger is not better. The price per square foot often increases with smaller homes. If you look at homes based purely on size, it does not necessarily mean that you’re getting value based on every additional square foot. Once you pass the living room, dining room, kitchen, and first bedrooms/bathrooms, you get diminishing returns on square footage.
We hope that this article was helpful in narrowing down your home buying choices. If you’re looking to sell your home quickly, make sure to get in touch with us here at HelloPad. We are one of the most reputable cash homebuyers in the Washington area.
