Green Options » residential development http://greenoptions.com/tag/residential-development Posts tagged 'residential development' Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:09:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en Do More With a Smaller House http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/10/28/do-more-with-a-smaller-house/ http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/10/28/do-more-with-a-smaller-house/#comments Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:09:37 +0000 Dawn Killough http://greenbuildingelements.com/2008/10/28/do-more-with-a-smaller-house/ Smaller homes are energy efficient, use less materials, and take up less land.  But how do you make a 1200-1500 square foot home on a small lot appealing for a buyer?

Forest Creek Development in Parrish, Florida has discovered the secret.  Their cottage program offers homes no larger than 1600 square feet, all on lots that are 27 feet wide.  And, they are selling like hotcakes!

Here are some ideas on how to design a small home that has market appeal:

1. “Let the light in” - Window walls and windows set high up on the wall let in lots of light, allow the placement of furniture, and make the spaces seem larger.

2. “Make the indoors private” - Placement of windows is key when homes are so close together (as close as one foot in Forest Creek).  Stagger window placement in each house so no one has to worry about being looked in on.

3. “Reserve outdoor space that’s private” - High outside walls allow families to have privacy in their yards, as well as their houses.

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