WV Panhandle Real Esate

Today's Real Estate Trends

Housing trends change just about as frequently as clothing trends. In the '70s it was bellbottoms and ranches; in the '90s it was preppy plaid and any home with four bedrooms. As we enter the spring of 2008, a few interesting new housing trends have sprung forth.

Smaller Homes On the Rise

For nearly 30 years, the average size of single-family homes was increasing. From 1974 to the first quarter of 2007, median home sizes tracked by the U.S. Census Bureau moved slowly from 1,560 square feet to 2,248 square feet. Then beginning in the second quarter of last year, the average square footage of new homes began falling and many analysis predict further declines in the future.

Going Green

In today's marketplace, eco-friendly, or green, homes have found a positive market response. As a current homeowner, you too can be a part of this trend without spending a ton of money.

Six Easy Green Home Updates:

1) Stop Drafts. Check weatherstripping and caulking around exterior doors and windows.

2) Service Your Furnace and Air Conditioner. Regularly servicing your furnace and air conditioners

3) Keep Your Thermostat in Check. Turn your thermostat down a degree or two.

4) Keep the "Hot" in Your Water Heater. If your water heater was built before 2004, wrap the tank in an insulated fireproof blanket.

5) Insulate Your Pipes. Insulate exposed water pipes in your home-especially in the basement.

6) Save Water With Low Flow. Installing a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.6 gallons of water per flush compared to 3.5 to 4 gallons of standard toilets- can save up to 22,000 gallons of water a year for a family of four.

Knowing what trends are in can help you understand the value of your home.