At BartonPlace we are seeing a very interesting trend where most of our buyers seem to be downsizing. Most of our buyer are coming from larger homes in the suburbs and are looking to move closer to downtown. These buyers are telling us that they want to be downtown but are not necessarily ready to live in a 30 or 40 story high rise building with all the noise, traffic and congestion that comes along with it. BartonPlace is a great fit for people who want to live downtown but not in it; here they get the best of both worlds!
This trend is not only apparent at BartonPlace, Americans all over the country are looking to decrease their square footage. They are embracing the idea of less maintenance and upkeep, lower utility bills, and a more convenient “lock and leave” lifestyle. Last year, 2009 was the first year in thirty decades that the average new home purchase decreased! The average new home decreased from 2,277 to 2,215 square feet according the data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Although there are some very apparent benefits from downsizing it is something that most Americans need some getting used to. Downsizing your new home also means simplifying the rest of your life too! Since smaller closets, more efficient space and less storage is part of the package there is quite a bit of spring cleaning required for the move. It requires cleaning out the closets and getting rid of the clutter that most homeowners tend to collect in homes. People need to rethink their furniture layout and design. They are spending more time coming up with more efficient and creative use of furniture. Once they come to terms with downsizing they are quickly realize that the small sacrifices are greatly mitigated with all the conveniences, experiences and lifestyle benefits of downtown living.
