Davidson Realty, Inc.

How to Find Your Ideal Square Footage

June 25, 2019

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Posted by in Agent Feature, News, Northeast Florida Market Trends

New construction homes in the U.S. continue to inch a little larger each year, however the number of family members in the average household remains steady. This leaves many buyers scratching their heads and asking, how much house should I buy?

 

Since all residents generally meander around the entire house, estimations are individual and approximate. Some online sources estimate as high as 1,000 square feet per person while others dip down to 100 square feet per person. Many estimates fall around 500 square feet per person.

 

One Atlanta architect recommends calculating a ratio between bedrooms and living space. He said, “A rule of thumb that we have is: for every bedroom, you need to provide places for two people to sit in the dining area and living area.”

 

Before you start doing any math, there is another huge consideration: how much is right for you.

Here are some questions to ask yourself that will help you determine the right amount of space for you and your family in your next home.

 

What are my individual needs? Beyond our personal space—where we eat, sleep and relax—we also have jobs, hobbies and other individual needs that increase our space requirements.

 

For example, do you work at home and need an office? Do you have large pieces like a piano, pool table or gym equipment? Do you have a space-gobbling collection? Do you or a family member have a disability that requires a little more space?

 

If you answered yes to any of these questions, 100 square feet per person probably won’t work for you. So long, tiny home.

 

Will there be additional residents in the future? You may plan to someday have more children; and remember, those children may not need a lot of space as tots, but they soon become space-hogging teenagers!

 

In addition, you may plan to get married, take on roommates, move your parents in to care for them, or even get more pets. Each of these additional residents will require their own square footage.

 

How does my ideal home feel? Depending on their design, individual homes can vary widely in their “flow,” which greatly impacts your square footage needs.

 

A 1,400-square-foot home with an open floor plan and 10-foot ceilings can feel much bigger than a 2,000-square-foot home with closed spaces and 8-foot ceilings.

 

In addition, the home needs to fit everyone comfortably. Will everyone be able to fit together into the common spaces—living room, breakfast nook, back porch, etc.? In addition, will everyone have a space they can go to be alone? If so, the house looks to be large enough.

 

Conversely, does the home have extra rooms you simply won’t use? If so, it may be a little too much house for you.

 

Let me help you find the perfect sized home for you! Call me at 904.501.1830 or mbarzaga@davidsonrealtyinc.com.

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About the Author
Mirtha Barzaga

For more than a decade, Mirtha Barzaga has consistently stood as a fixture in Northeast Florida real estate. She is recognized as a top contributing agent for Davidson Realty, Inc., specializing in homes throughout Jacksonville, St. Augustine and World Golf Village. She has earned recognition as Davidson's Top Sales Agent of the Year, Top Producing Agent of the Year, and Top Listing Agent of the Year. Mirtha is a trusted guide for clients throughout the buying and selling process, boasting designations as a Certified Negotiation Expert, Certified Distressed Property Expert and Nocatee Certified Agent. As a bilingual Realtor, Mirtha is pleased to assist Davidson’s Spanish-speaking clients. Learn more about Mirtha and see her listings by visiting her agent page or check out Mirtha's website BarzagaSells.com.

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