Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9404140162
SECTION: TODAY'S HOME PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Homes are no different. 1964 was the median year which today's homes were built. Americans' tastes in homes have changed considerably over the last quarter of a century. The biggest difference is space. The average home size has risen from between 1,400 and 1,500 square feet then, to more than 2,000 square feet now.
Since much of the remodeling industry is driven by the need for more space, it is no coincidence that in this difficult year for builders, remodeling is expected to reach an all-time high of $108 billion by the end of 1992.
Kitchens and baths were the biggest recipients of the trend toward increased space.
Convenience is the key word for kitchens. Additional counter space, pantry space and cabinet space are all big selling points. Items such as microwave ovens and garbage disposals which were once luxuries are now becoming standard features.
Bathrooms have become a luxury gauge for judging the overall amenities of a home. In 1989, 44 percent of new single family homes had at lease 2 1/2 baths. Just four years earlier, that number was only 29 percent. Bathroom remodels can be everything from a simple tile job, to adding a hot tub and an entire exercise facility.
About three-quarters of all houses sold are existing, as opposed to new. The problem that many buyers face is that they like the neighborhoods and the affordability of those houses built in the early '60s, but they also want the same features found in new homes such as additional storage space, more natural light and modern appliances.
Few of the houses built 28 years ago had walk-in closets or an informal "family room" on the ground level. Back then, most of the closets were nominally sized and it was more common for the "rec room" to be a converted basement.
With 77 million baby-boomers, there are a lot of people in the prime of their earnings who own homes or are now buying homes that were designed for a different era. What's happening is that people are embarking on extensive remodeling projects, or buying homes with the intention of remodeling.
Many of these remodeling projects reflect the relatively recent emphasis on low maintenance and high energy efficiency.
With the median American home being 28 years old, it's not surprising that the increase in the remodeling industry during the last year is due to the maintenance and repair portion of the industry. In fact, maintenance and repair soared 20.2 percent over 1989. This more than offset the 6.2 percent drop in additions and alterations and the 1.9 percent drop in major replacements.
The aging of the American home, like other issues of the remodeling industry, varies according to region. The newer homes are in the south and west, and the older homes are in the Midwest and even more so in the northeast. While the overall median construction date of the American home is 1964, the median in the west is 1968 and the South is 1969. But the median for the Midwest is 1958 and the median for the Northeast is 1951.
American's housing tastes have changed significantly since 1964. By the number of older houses that are constantly being sold and the constant increase in the number of remodeling projects, it's apparent that many Americans are attracted to the older homes with the intention of adapting them to modern conveniences and styles.
by CNB