The recession has created an interesting tendency in real estate construction, smaller houses that are more affordable and more energy efficient. The American Institute of Architects has reported a 59% change in the number of home builders in the U.S. featuring smaller scale houses and those trends are only reflecting the market tendency of buyers preferring smaller scale houses.

As the latest financial tsunami rolled across the financial landscape in late 2007, many home buyers and builders read the writing on the wall and started choosing little houses over the giant residences of the prior years. The average square foot in houses shriveled about 10% right away and has continued to decline since then.

These mini-residences can even be built using re-used parts from other houses or outbuildings to lower the expense. Old barns and houses that are being torn down have supplied many materials that can be used again for the builders who are constructing smaller scale houses.

The comparatively low price of 40-90 thousand dollars for a little home illustrates their true value, especially when viewed in the light of homeowners still receiving luxuries like moder residences.

The small residences one California builder makes can be put on a foundation or on wheels. The retail costs for his plans are around one thousand dollars and they are erected for the mid thirties. Relating having a small home built to having a fine suit taylored to you, he says many buyers prefer the small custom houses he builds. As with any custom home, each small home showcases the exact desires of the homeowner it is designer for. Given the limited amount of space, many of the small residences have built-in space saving features and can store as much as larger homes.

Even big companies like Lowe's home improvement stores sell a model of a kit home that is designed for owner construction to save you money.

little houses induce an interesting psychological dynamic on the homeowners in which they simply do not tend to want more stuff as their small home already seem full. Most homeowners are deciding to buy the more humble homes over the preferred "McMansions" of the recent past few years.

Do not be fooled into thinking that these little homes are lacking in luxuries or the modern creature comforts of larger homes. They smaller residences even feature amenities like claw foot tubs and doubel door refrigerators for those of us who prefer those appliances. With a smaller scale home comes certain unexpected benefits like a higher degree of energy efficiency.

Since the little houses have a lower energy bill and a reduced mortgage payment, it is not hard to tell you why the trends are what they are. houses that have conventional ceiling heights of about 8 feet have a record of reduced energy costs. With fewer square feet in the floorplan, little homes require less energy to either heat or cool them off so you can save on your energy costs in a big way with them.

Not only can you save on your energy costs but you can also save in regard to the way you use your building lot. With more room on your lot due to the fact that you home now takes up less space on your lot, you can use your lot to put up solar panels, solar water heaters or grow your own veggies. Putting up that extra concreate pad for a basketball hoop may even be a reality!