Homes get bigger as family size shrink

U.S. Homes Growing as Families Shrink(January 24, 2006) -- The average home in the United States increased in size to an all-time high of 2,412 square feet in 2005—63 square feet larger than in the previous year, according to the National Association of Home Builders.NAHB research director Gopal Ahluwalia attributes the increase to the fact that home buyers simply can afford larger abodes. A new report from the builders' group reveals a drop in the average family size to 2.5 residents from three residents over the past three decades, while the average residence expanded by 50 percent. Ahluwalia adds that homes are growing larger, even though the average lot size is expected to fall to about 7,000 square feet from the current average of 9,000 square feet. The NAHB report found that 40 percent of new dwellings have four-plus bedrooms, nearly one-quarter have three or more bathrooms, and more than half have two or more floors. Builders also are turning to open floor plans with standard nine-foot ceilings, according to the report. Source: Wilkes Barre Times Leader (PA), Steve Brown (01/23/06)