Nathan Blair's thoughts on Utah housing and the Utah McMansion | THE SALT LAKE CITY UTAH REAL ESTATE BLOG

My Thoughts on Changes in Housing and the McMansion*

Filed Under Utah McMansions, Utah real estate |

Two Sundays ago, my family decided to drive around some of the new residential areas in the city to see the new houses that were being constructed. In one particular area, where the homes were nice but nothing unusual, we drove down the street, turned left into a cul-de-sac and beheld a mansion that made the rest of the neighborhood homes look like huts. We were intrigued so we went inside since it wasn’t completed yet, and our faces must have been a sight because it was even more ostentatious inside than out. Then we learned that the owners are an older couple who will be retiring soon, and that’s what made me reflect.

In many parts of my city, homes like this one notwithstanding, I am getting the feeling that people are preferring smaller to much bigger homes. There have been some statistics recently that seem to back this up, but this post is just what I am noticing for myself. The first thing that comes to mind is obvious - maybe they can’t afford the bigger homes. True in some cases, but it seems to me that many affluent professionals are constructing or buying smaller, greener, and more cost-efficient houses these days.

I like this trend for a few reasons: fewer McMansions would be built which would hopefully restore some originality to homes over time, neighborhood skylines would be dominated by nature and not pointy roofs, and lot sizes might increase. (Maybe that last one will never happen, but I can wish.) Could it be our current global warming craze that is prompting people to become smaller, more efficient and environmentally friendly? Could it be a resistance to big builders who build the same big thing over and over?

I don’t really know, but these are my thoughts.

*My service doesn’t stop here! In addition to maintaining The Salt Lake City Utah Real Estate Blog, I also help people buy and sell homes in Utah. When you need help with either of these, contact me!

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