We were very involved in all the choices the builder made. He consulted us on exterior siding and trim and on everything inside. After all, this is our house, and we want it to reflect our personalities and suit our needs. Homes are not only the single biggest investment most Americans make, they are one of the most personal. This is probably why buying a home is considered one of life's most stressful experiences.
People have a lot riding on making the right decisions.
Those decisions have a lot to do with where people are in their lives. People's housing needs change as their lives do. Trading up or down is not unusual, and many first-time buyers agree that their first house is not going to be their last. The average new single-family home grew from 1,645 square feet in 1975 to 2,095 square feet in 1995. The most popular home built in 1995 had three bedrooms and two bathrooms, according to the National Association of Realtors.