Cookie Cutter Houses Across America

[AdvancingTime]

Today much of the new residential single unit free standing construction in America is of the cookie-cutter urban sprawl variety. Builders garner savings from mass production factory like building methods with sites that are in close proximity which reduces travel time for workers.

Society should control more of this growth by demanding homes they want. We could start by purchasing only houses that are in harmony with modern lifestyles and a sustainable environment. The article linked below looks at some of the issues surrounding current development trends.

Advancing Time: Cookie-Cutter Urban Sprawl

 

[DGS49]

With all due respect, this is a patently stupid article (and stupid observations). Developers do not dictate what people will buy. Any person or family looking for a new residence can select from an almost infinite number of choices from urban, suburban, rural, single family, townhouse, or condo, as well as choosing to buy either existing or a newly-constructed home. If a developer builds houses that do not meet the desires of the purchasing public at a reasonable market price, the houses will not be purchased, and the developer will suffer.

But they don't, do they? Because generally speaking they do their research and know what the public wants before committing millions to acquire land, build infrastructure, and start erecting model homes.

If they can meet the public's desires with housing having desirable features at "market" prices, while at the same time employing building techniques that minimize construction cost, who suffers? It's a win-win for everybody. If you think they are making a killing, become a real-estate developer; it's not that hard.

Many people recoil at the cookie-cutter appearance of many neighborhoods, and refuse to buy there. Problem solved!

In my personal situation, I am an older adult, married with only two of us living in a 3,500ft2 suburban house. I desire to move into a more urban area, into a "carriage home," which around here defines one that has a first-floor master suite. Surprise, surprise: These Carriage Homes cost 50% more per square foot than comparable single family houses, even though they are cheaper to build. The price is set by market conditions, and 50 million Boomers with no kids are driving up the market.

But wait; it's an evil plot by developers, isn't it?

 

[longknife]

I totally disagree DGS49.

All one has to do is drive around to see that there is no longer any real difference in housing design. Single or double story, they are almost all identical in the major forms and functions.

One may have the garage on the right while the other will be on the left. Main bedrooms are almost always at the back of the house with living rooms at the front.

 

[Old Rocks]

Form follows function. And if you don't like the standard design, one always has the option of building their own home to their own desires.

 

[longknife]

Form follows function. And if you don't like the standard design, one always has the option of building their own home to their own desires.

Hell! The vast majority of young people are barely able to keep up with rental costs. Where do you think they're going to get the money to build their own?

 

[mamooth]

One interesting thing is that the housing bubble has quietly reinflated, with nobody making much noise about it. Prices are nearly back up to what they were at the peak of the bubble.

 

[Old Rocks]

More people being made, as opposed to more land. And now we are faced with the choice around many of our cities, do we want more houses at the price of destroying prime farm land?