Today’s consumers are shopping for smaller one story online house plans online with flex space to accommodate either elderly parents or children who are still living at home. One third of the baby boomers are also caring for an older parent these days – in fact you probably either are one of them or know someone who does!

Many baby boomers today – want master bedrooms downstairs. And according to the Master Builders Association (MBA) more than 40 percent of new homes accommodate this desire. This is a 15 percent increase since ten years ago. The bedrooms are also much bigger.  Here is another thing, they also want larger walk-in closets and bathrooms with dual sinks and a separate shower and tub. Another simple request? Wider doors and hallways for wheelchair access if needed in the future. Below: Plan #141-1017 at The Plan Collection.

 

 

The buzz word is “flex space” says online house plan website The Plan Collection. They see trends long before the rest of the building industry – and right now flex space has become more prevalent in both remodeling and new home designs. These rooms can adjust  as changes may occur — from being a guest or hobby room, to an office, to a room for an out of work child who came home after college, to an elderly parent.Flex space allows home owners to stay in their homes longer, serving their needs throughout life’s stages.

An American family nowadays is also pretty demanding about cutting edge amenities such as a wireless home networks (Wi-Fi) and other cool home features like remote control lighting.They also prefer a media room with a surround sound and central control systems to manage all of their media sources from one spot.

Here’s an example of the floor plan from The Plan Collection with the flexibility that is trending today in house designs with the amenities desired by families in new home construction. This is a three bedroom country style house from The Plan Collection (house plan 141-1017). The front steps leading up to the covered porch along with the dormer windows give the home’s exterior an attractive and traditional presence.

Link to this plan: http://www.theplancollection.com/house-plans/home-plan-16276

The June 17, 2013 National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) just released its latest results indicating that the HMI has been over 50 since April of 2006. This means more builders believe that today’s sales conditions are good. This the first time the HMI has been above 50 – an eight point jump since August and September of 2002, and many builders say there is a revival for ranch house plans.

Derived from a 25 year old monthly survey, the NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, looks at builder perceptions or what they call their “confidence level” concerning the sales expectations for single family homes over a six month period – and their ratings are either good, fair or poor.

Companies such as online plan provider, The Plan Collection, is seeing an interest in ranch house plans. A flat earth-hugging, one-story home reminiscent of the 1950s through the 1960s have become the hot topic today. Many experts believe it is a revival among baby boomers who were raised in these popular style homes, with open floor plans, high ceilings, and sliding glass doors leading to a patio where today’s home owners are building outdoor kitchens. Another reason ranch house plans may be making a comeback is due to the wide hallways, and single story levels which accommodate aging people unable to climb stairways. In addition, the layouts include a bedroom on the opposite end of the Master suite, which could service as a flex room for relatives or kids, or an office.

The HMI survey asks builders to also rate the traffic of prospective buyers – and these are rated as “high to very high,” “average” and “low to very low.” Once complied, these scores are used to calculate a seasonally adjusted index.  Whenever the number is more than 50 it means that more builders are viewing conditions as good than poor.

The company’s three-month moving average was up in three of the four regions, with the Northeast and Midwest posting a one-point and three-point gains to 37 and 47, respectively. The west fell one point to 48, while the south registered a four point gain to 46.

All three HMI index components posted positive gains in June:

·    Current sales conditions increased eight points to 56
·     Expectations for future sales rose nine points to 61(highest level since March 2006)
·     Prospective buyers rose seven points to 40

 More information on housing statistics is available at: http://www.housingeconomics.com/

With more baby boomers coming of age, many Americans are downsizing, so they want much less space, but they like luxury and demand efficiency. It seems that one of today’s bestselling house plans is a smaller two story house with open living spaces including a comfortable central common living area. Additionally, people seem to prefer split bedrooms where the master bedroom and bath are one side of the house, and the other bedrooms on the other side of the home, or a master suite downstairs and the other bedrooms upstairs or in the basement.

People are also expanding the outdoor living space – or what used to be a patio that is adjacent to the main living room, adding outdoor kitchens, seating areas and fire pits. And last, everyone wants a flex room, which in the old days we called a bonus room. The twist today is that for economically reasons, people are converting basements and attics for this purpose and the rooms are used for offices, in-law suites, or for kids who can’t find a job yet. These tend to be built in areas above the main living room floor.

When it comes to the outside façade of homes that are trending as popular in the United States, craftsman styles are very popular. Brick and shingles add warmth. The Plan Collection features one four bedroom craftsman style house that fills many demands today – and it is just 2,470 square feet. It is House Plan # 153-1781.

Inside, homeowners need –and they actually demand – efficiency so you will find popular features including a great room with a fireplace; a dining room with access to the kitchen; a snack bar, breakfast room and walk-in pantry; a media center with built-ins, and a rear grilling porch.

The home’s master bedroom suite features a convenient computer center, a walk-in closet and access to the rear porch. There are split vanities in the master bathroom which also features a shower, and whirlpool tub, all of which add up to a comfortable living space.

Floor plan (141-1020).

This house plan is a good example of a well-thought out floor plan. (169-1000)