The latest trend toward smaller homes is a result of the economic recession, but has many benefits to both homeowners and our nation. It is reported that nearly 60% of the builders in the United States are building smaller scale homes, by the American Institute of Architects, and the higher demand for such construction is reinforced by the reduction in other costs of housing.

As everyone’s IRAs hit the skids in early 2008, so did the demand for larger houses causing a lot of the chaos still being ironed out in the real estate market. With the lack of money came a desire for a smaller scale home that worked and the square footage average dropped by over 300 square feet.

These mini-houses can even be erected using re-used parts from other homes or outbuildings to lower the expense. In some of these “cottages” the wood is salvaged from old barns, deconstructed residences or some other source of materials to accommodate the reduced budget of today’s homeowners.

Given that the little homes are much cheaper in value and can still have many of the extravagances of larger homes, you can understand why the trends are pointing up for them.

The small homes one California builder makes can be put on a foundation or on wheels. The retail costs for his plans are around one thousand dollars and they are erected for the mid thirties. He relates constructing a small home to tailoring a suit. Each plan has the homeowner in mind and is adapted to fit any specific desire or need they may express. The traditional construction that many small houses have to utilize are space savers like build in cupboards and storage space.

Even big companies like Lowe’s home improvement stores sell a model of a kit home that is designed for owner construction to save you money.

Given the tendency of people with extra room to accumulate more stuff, the smaller home size helps many people deal with the materialist nature we all tend to have. Most homeowners are deciding to buy the more humble residences over the preferred “McMansions” of the latent past few years.

Many people prefer the modern features of larger homes, but you do not have to go without when you buy a little home. The appliances in the smaller scale residences do not have to scaled down due to the incorporation of double door refrigerators and claw foot tubs. The green houses angle is one that cannot be overlooked in terms of a little home size either.

Not only do smaller residences have a lower mortgage payment but they also have reduced energy expenses. The smaller scale homes tend to have an 8 foot ceiling height which is more energy compliant than a vaulted or cathedral ceiling. With fewer square feet in the floorplan, smaller houses require less energy to either heat or cool them off so you can save on your energy costs in a big way with them.

Not only can you save on your energy costs but you can also save in regard to the way you use your building lot. With a little portion of your building lot taken up by the building, you can use more of it to grow tomatoes, raise goats or other pets, or any other recreational pursuit you may choose. Putting up that extra concrete pad for a basketball hoop may even be a reality!

The author enjoys writing articles on homes in Meridian Idaho and Meridian Idaho real estate.