CURRENT TRENDS Changes in housing

Gopal Ahluwalia, staff vice president for research at the National Association of Home Builders, described how housing has changed over the years, suggesting implications for the future:
New homes have continued to grow, from an average of 1,500 square feet in 1970 to 2,320 in 2003.
More than half of all new homes completed in 2003 were two stories or more, compared with 17 percent in 1971.
Fifty-six percent of new homes last year had 2.5 or more baths, compared with 15 percent in 1971.
Forty-five percent of buyers want an environmentally friendly home but are not willing to pay more for it.
As for the kitchen-family room arrangement, 33 percent wanted it completely open last year, compared with 9 percent in 1980.
Forty percent said they are willing to buy a home without a living room.
In the kitchen, 85 percent said it is essential to have a walk-in pantry and 77 percent said they must have an island work area.
Source: Knight Ridder Newspapers