Out with the 2010 Market—2011 Brings New Floor Plans to the Table

The focus of the U.S. real-estate market lately has been the number of foreclosures and people trying to purchase cheap housing. But chief economists say that if Americans don’t start focusing on building new houses, the market will have a much bigger problem on its hands.

It is said that we need one and a half million houses per year just to keep up with population growth. And then if you throw in, you know, fires and tear-downs and just worn-out properties, we need even more—roughly 1.6 million or more per year. Right now, we’re down to about six and a half, seven months’ inventory whether you look at new homes or existing homes.

Maybe it’s because home buyers are focused on the quick, easy, assisted home purchase that can take effect immediately. Personally, if I had the option of buying a new house, I would love to be able to build. The process of choosing a floor plan, personalizing the layout, and creating a team of designers, contractors, and builders makes for a lot of work don’t get me wrong, but what an unbelievable project to put under your belt!

To be able to inhabit a personally created home, raise a family, and develop memories with your loved ones sounds irreplaceable to me.

Especially with a rising market, houses that are already equipped with modern appliances and features are most likely going to shoot the price through the roof. For those who are up for it, what about the possibility of fixing up a foreclosure? There are so many fixer-uppers out there that uninhabited and unknown that one might think is incapable of ever being legitimate.

I believe that more potential home buyers should start thinking outside of the box. In order to help our real estate market, we should start being more objective in home buying and become more willing to do the work that goes into creating your masterpiece.