Lower birth rates and the future of those BIG HOUSES?

[kdonnel]

Homes are getting bigger and bigger here in Metro Atlanta.

The neighborhoods being built around me are all advertising 5 bedrooms as a selling point.

The infill houses being built around here, the ones that all look like something Joanna Gaines would build, white painted brick and black trim, are even larger in the 6 or 7 bedroom size.

What I have seen is a massive rise in neighborhoods being built as rental only. I believe Atlanta is leading the country in number of homes owned by investment companies and number of rental only neighborhoods being constructed. Those are all also 5 bedrooms.

I think big homes are here to stay.

 

[KayKayJS]

We only have 1 child and with 2,400 sqft (3 bedrooms, office, loft/playroom) this house is just about perfect size. Every single room in this house gets use regularly. The 3rd bedroom is our guest room and my mom visits regularly.

However, when/if we move we will be looking for at least one additional bedroom. We'd like an additional office/guest room space because we both WFH.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

We went from a 1400 square foot ranch in California to a 7500 square foot home in the South East. We are a family of 3. Yes, it's a big house but knew when we saw it that it was the one. We have been updating/remodeling since moving in 9 years ago. Surprisingly we use a lot of the space. I know there will come a time to down size . We do have a nice size bedroom and bathroom on the main floor which can be used as a master if need be.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't think houses will necessarily get smaller. Larger houses with bedrooms aren't always used as bedrooms so going in with the thought that only people with young kids are wanting multi-bedroom larger homes is just frankly too old school for modern times.

Is there effect somewhere? Sure. One of the elementary schools in the district my house is in is closing down but being repurposed due to less children in that immediate area but that's not new it's where the populations shift and move within an area and at the moment it's pushing more westward in my city. That said there is a decline in birth rates that will/can cause pockets of areas where fewer people throughout the years are being replaced with new individuals but that I don't think will have an effect on larger homes being seen as desirable.