INSIDE TUCSON BUSINESS:  Mon., July 28, 2008

KB Home responds to demand for smaller-sized homes

By Ed Egger

Is the era of the great American mansion over? For years the size of houses has been growing but now Tucson is among several places in the United States where builders are introducing smaller homes.

The average U.S. home for sale grew 60% from 1970 to 2004 - to 2,330 square feet from 1,400 square feet, according to the National Association of Homebuilders.  For a variety of reasons, there is growing demand for smaller homes. In Tucson, KB Home is responding to that demand with a 1,004-square-foot home priced from $132,000 to $157,000, according to Mark Rodocker, division president of KB Home.

"The average square footage we had with our older plans was 2,200 square feet," he said. "The average is now 1,950 square feet."

Rodocker said KB Home is offering floor plans ranging from 1,004 to 1,608 square feet at its San Lorenzo at Rancho Valencia development near Valencia and South Swan roads. It is also offering homes starting at 1,378 square feet at Presidio del Cielo in Sahuarita.

Rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns are also creating new housing trends that KB Home is trying to fill, Rodocker said. For example, KB Home gives buyers choices that can reduce energy and water use. While all homes now include four-star energy appliances, buyers also can select products that can reduce water use by 30%.