Give Your Kitchen a Lift

For many families, the kitchen is the center of the house. And an attractive, well-kept kitchen is an enormous asset to a home’s value. If you’re planning to sell, take a hard look at your kitchen. Is there anything that needs to be improved?

Painting or refinishing cabinets can be a great idea, especially if they’re older, worn or have an outdated design. A bright new look can really spruce up the appearance of your kitchen. You’ll also want to repair small problems like misaligned doors or drawers. For more on those repairs, see this article on TheFamilyHandyman.com.

If you've got problems with your countertops, you've got two options. You can replace them, or restore them. Replacing countertops is going to be more expensive, but can be an excellent long-term investment.  Replacing countertops is often done as part of an all-over kitchen makeover that includes new cabinets, flooring and paint. But just replacing older countertops can give a kitchen a big boost. It needs to be done in the overall context of your kitchen, fitting in with the existing design.

Another option is to restore the existing countertops. Wear from years of use and even damage can be repaired. Repair kits for granite, solid-surface, marble, wood and laminate countertops are available. Laminate counters can be patched, repainted, polished and re-laminated.  For more on repairing or replacing countertops, Thisoldhouse.com has a fantastic section devoted to countertops.

Flooring in the kitchen is another area that suffers a lot of wear over time. This is another area where replacement or repair is both good options. Your options depend on the type of surface. Wooden floors can be restored beautifully by sanding and refinishing. For help with vinyl floors, eHow offers these instructions. When it comes to new flooring, you have a fantastic variety of options including stone, tile and concrete.

Other important items to check include the plumbing and lighting, and the conditions of appliances, which you may or may not want to replace before putting your house on the market. Anything you can do to improve the look of your kitchen will improve offers you’ll get from potential buyers. And when it comes to that factor, please call me and let me help you get a quick sale at the best possible price

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Cornhusker State Games

The Cornhusker State Games are underway, promising more than a week of thrilling sports competition.  The Cornhusker State Games is a statewide amateur sports festival for all Nebraskans. The purpose of the Games is to provide top-quality amateur competition in a wide range of activities. The 2013 Games run through July 28th at more than 70 sites in Lincoln, Omaha and surrounding communities.


Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Three Keys to an Easier Home Buying Experience

For many Americans, buying a home is the most significant purchase they’ll make in their lifetimes. The entire housing crisis has created a lot of turmoil and confusion, adding on to what was already a daunting task. But, take a deep breath. Things are much better than they were a couple of years ago, and as before, there are some basic things you can do to make the process of buying a home less stressful. Here are three key things to do:

Choosing Your Agent – Unless you've done this a lot, you’ll want to have an experienced agent on your side. Working with one, experienced, full-time agent (or team of agents), rather than several different agents is by far your best choice.

Choose a Good Investment – No matter how long you live in it, your new home is an investment. And you need to treat it just like you would any other financial investment. That means buying a home that is going to appreciate in value over time.  A beautiful home can be a terrible investment if you wind up paying more than the structure is worth. Don’t let your heart overrule sound financial decisions. Make sure you use a professional home inspector for a written report that includes general estimates of repair costs.

Plan Ahead – Don’t wait to learn about your mortgage options. Before you make an offer, research and understand the types of mortgages available and which lender offers the best rates. Work with your agent to determine what paperwork you’re going to need when you make an offer, and get as much of it ready ahead of time as possible.  Making an offer and buying a home is stressful, but you can make the process a lot easier if you've already handled these details. If this will be your first home purchase, make sure you take advantage of first-time home buyer programs.

For more guidance, check out the American Homeowners Foundation Top 10 Home Buyers Tips and CNNMoney’s Tips for Buying a House.  And remember that my job is to make the process of finding and buying your new home as easy as possible, so let me know how I can help you.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Emma on Stage at UNL

The Nebraska Repertory Theatre is presenting a stage adaptation of Jane Austen's romantic masterpiece, Emma. The play, by Jon Jory, follows Emma Woodhouse, her father, and various friends and suitors in the fictional 1815 Highbury, England. The show is being performed at the Howell Theatre in the Temple Building of UNL. Shows are scheduled for July 12, 13, 20, August 1, and 9 at 7:30 pm and July 28 at 2pm.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

What Hurts a Home’s Market Value

Evaluating a home’s market value isn’t easy for a homeowner. Sometimes an objective opinion is required, even if it is hard to accept. Overpricing a home is a sure way of prolonging the process. An experienced realestate professional, someone who knows the market and the neighborhood, is the best way to make sure a house is properly valued.  Some of the factors that can negatively affect a home’s value are obvious.  Some are not. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Curb Appeal

First impressions really are important, and a house without curb appeal is going to turn off some buyers before they even get out of their cars. Fortunately, curb appeal is a lot easier to rectify than other problems. A fresh coat of paint, clean front porch and neatly maintained yard are essential.

Pets

There’s no question that odors and damage caused by pets need to be addressed before a house goes on the market.  The scent of cat urine or sight of wood floors badly scratched by big dogs is going to turn away buyers as well as drive offer amounts down. Again, these are problems that can be addressed ahead of time.

Renovations

The problem with many design and customization decisions is that they may work for the current owner, but prospective buyers may simply see garish choices they’ll have to pay to undo. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in a home of their own, not someone else’s home.  That’s why sellers are almost always advised to repaint with mild colors and replace unique features like lighting fixtures that may have buyers scratching their heads.

Physical Problems

This should be obvious, but anything that will be a problem for the next owner of a home is going to cost a seller. Whether it’s obvious, or only discovered during a home inspection, problems with roofing, structure, HVAC equipment, etc., either need to be addressed by the seller before the house goes on the market, or will be factored into a prospective buyer’s offer.

Location

The location of a home can be the biggest problem facing a homeowner wanting to sell. A home in a neighborhood with a questionable reputation, high crime rates, filled with unkempt homes and/or an unappealing skyline is going to be difficult to sell, even if the home itself is in pristine conditions.

Conclusion

There isn't a house that can't be sold, but if you want to sell and get the best price for your home, you’re going to have address issues like the above. Working together, I can help you sort through what can and can't be done to improve your position and help you set an asking price that will bring results. 

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

The Little Ones on Show

Equine enthusiasts and horse lovers are going to be found in one place this weekend. The Bluestem Miniature Horse Club is hosting this weekend's show at the Lancaster Events Center in Lincoln. AMHR shows are Friday and Saturday, and the AMHA show is on Sunday. They may be small, but they're still spectacular to watch!

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

What Buyers Want

You might suspect that upscale home buyers have different requirements than their more modest peers, and if so, you'd be right. A new report from the National Association of Home Builder’s HousingEconomics.com shows some stark contrasts. The report is the result of a study that asked potential buyers to rate 120 different home features, and then divided the results into two groups. The first group was buyers willing to spend $500,000 or more, the second $150,000 or less.

At the top of the list, nearly half of the upscale buyers thought an outdoor kitchen (49%), and exercise room (48%) and a kitchen with a wine cooler (46%) were either desirable or essential.    28% of the more modest buyers want an exercise room, 27% want outdoor kitchens, but only 15% were interested in kitchen with a wine cooler. You can get the entire article as a PDF download here.

Other aspects of the study revealed that 53% of all buyers wanted to buy a brand new home. Buyers on average expected to pay $203,000 for their next home, and wanted a home with an average of 2,226 square feet. 70% would prefer the utility room for washers and dryers are on the first floor. 57% want a single story house, while 31% preferred two story homes.

The most desired feature overall were Energy-Star appliances, windows and other features.  A laundry room, exhaust fans in bathrooms, exterior lighting, a bathroom linen closet, ceiling fans, garage storage, room enough for a table to eat in the kitchen and a walk-in kitchen pantry rounded out the most popular features.

What features do you think are the most important in your home, or in the next home you buy? What features can you live without? These are key questions to ask yourself when you decide it’s time to find a new home. A list of wants/don’t wants makes it easier to screen out homes that won't fit your lifestyle. Of course, there’s much more to the equation, and I can help you put all the pieces together.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Party in the Park

The Party in the Parks series of festivals gets underway Saturday at 4pm at Union Plaza (21st & P Street) in Lincoln.  There's no charge for the event, which runs until 9pm. There's be Rubber Ducky racing beginning at 5pm. Before the races, children can decorate their ducks at the Art Van deLux from the Lux Center for the Arts.  Paint Yourself Silly, Community Crops and the City’s Recycling Program will help kids paint pots and create plantable pots.  And entertainment in the Dickinson Dinsmore Graf Amphitheater will include the Youth Actors Academy of Lincoln, and local bands Low Horse at 7 p.m. and The Renfields at 8 p.m. The next Party in the Parks will be July 27th.


Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Housing Prices Rise, along with Mortgage Rates

It’s been a good spring for the housing market. Newly released data from the S&P/Case-Shiller home price index shows an increase of 12.1% over last year’s price in the top twenty real estate markets across the country. Analysts say that the tight supply of homes for sale, record low mortgage rates and a drop in foreclosures are behind the growth.

But, that’s not necessarily good in the long term. Mortgage rates are beginning to rise as well, which is cutting into the purchase power of potential buyers. The National Association of Realtors warned last week that “home price growth is too fast.” They say the market needs more new home construction and easier access to credit for buyers.

Another factor to consider are the changes to mortgage industry mandated by the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act. Nearly a dozen new regulations totaling almost 4,000 pages are scheduled to take effect at the beginning of next year.  Among the regulations are definitions of a Qualified Mortgage and a Qualified Residential Mortgage. Writing in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin Bankers Association CEO Rose Oswald Poels says this will mean “Fewer, more difficult to obtain loans, which are more costly and statistically less risky, but also less helpful for consumers.”

And although you may feel the need to buy now before prices rise too much, many experts advise caution. Amy Hoak of The Wall Street Journal’s Market Watch offers five excellent tips for avoiding “buyer’s remorse.” She says you need to consider a home’s location and potential hidden costs. You need to confirm the house is what you really want and really need at this time. And she writes that you have to balance between a home’s cost, function and delight.

The decision to buy or wait is yours. But, don’t feel like you have to make it alone. Give me a call and I can help you put everything in perspective and help you find a home that meets your needs, fits your budget, and that will make you happy for years to come.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Friday Night Live in Lincoln

Come and enjoy live R&B, rock and jazz every Friday for the next 9 weeks. There will be music that’s . It's the perfect way to end your busy week! Enjoy on-site grilling by Famous Dave's or takeout from your favorite SouthPointe restaurant plus Tropical Sno shaved ice and Roca Berry Farms kettle korn. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome; kids under 10 welcome in the SCHEELS Kids Zone (parent supervision required). Admission is free but your donation is strongly requested to benefit the Child Advocacy Center . The event is at SouthPointe Pavilions in the Center Courtyard from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Ann Underwood
The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Be Prepared To Find Your New Home

It’s not hard to see the signs. The housing market in some regions is roaring toward a

complete recovery.  It seems every week brings new, positive reports on housing starts, sales and other statistics. So if buying a home is on your agenda this year, you’ll need to be prepared.

Know What You Can Afford

This part of the process can be difficult, because you have to be painfully honest with yourself or you risk problems down the road. You know how much you make. What you need to know is how much of that is available for a mortgage payment and insurance every month, as well as annual taxes and fees. Sometimes, it can be easier to work from the other direction and determine how much you have left over after other expenses are accounted for in your plan. These are things like car payments, monthly food purchases, and school related expenses.   However you can get there, you need to have a number to represent how much you can spend each month to pay for your housing. You won’t be the only one doing this, of course. Your lender is also going to make the same assessment when they decide how much they’re going to be willing to lend you!

Know What You Want

Here’s where you can go a little crazy. You want to make a list of all the things that would make a new house perfect for the life you envision living in it. Don’t add things unless they really would make you happy.  This isn’t about what you can afford, this is about what you’d like to have if you could get it. A media room? A three-car garage? A hot tub and his and hers closets in the master? Write it down.  A list like this can really help you narrow potential choices down as you compare what’s on this list to the features of houses you’ve seen.

Know What You Need

This one is a little harder, because you have to take the list you just made and take out everything that isn’t essential to the life you want. While the list above is what would be nice to have, this is the list of things that a potential new home must have. You might be able to live without wood floors, but what about central heating and air? Or access to top notch schools and medical care. Handing this list to a real estate professional means you’re going to only see houses that have already passed an essential screening.

Having thought through these elements before you begin searching can save you a lot of time. When we begin looking at houses, you’ll see the benefit of this preparation right away. And with some luck, we’ll have you in the perfect new home in no time!

Call us today and let's discuss your real estate needs!

The Underwood Team, REALTORS®

402.643.3300 Office  |  888.635.1409 eFax

Home Real Estate  |  Underwood Team, PC

655 South St, Seward, NE  68434  |  7211 So. 27th St, Lincoln, NE  68512

UnderwoodTeam@HomeRealEstate.com

http://www.UnderwoodTeam4You.com

Fix It Anyway

"If it isn't broke, don't fix it" is certainly popular advice, but if you've ever had a serious plumbing leak, you certainly wished you had taken care of the problem earlier.

Washing machines, like all appliances, are supposed to work and when they don't, it's time to have them fixed or replaced. However, there is a critical connection from your water supply that may even be older than your washing machine itself.

Ask someone whose hose broke while they were asleep or out of town and you'll hear stories of how quickly the water can damage walls, flooring and furniture. Almost anyone can replace the hoses with a pair of pliers for under $30.00 to avoid this potential catastrophe.

As you're shopping for the replacement hoses, consider the braided stainless steel connectors. The advantage is that the stainless steel offers additional protection should a soft spot develop in the hose beneath. They'll cost a little more but offer considerably more protection for a nominal price.

The IDEAL Investment

Rental homes can be the IDEAL investment in today's market because they offer a much higher rate of return than alternatives without the volatility of ups and downs in the stock market.

IDEAL serves as an acronym to identify the advantages of rental properties:

• Income from the monthly rent contributes to paying the expenses and a return on the investment
• Depreciation is a non-cash deduction that contributes a tax shelter
• Equity grows monthly as the mortgage amortizes due to some of each payment being applied to the principal
• Appreciation is achieved as the value of the property goes up
• Leverage can increase the return on investment by using borrowed funds to control a larger asset

The combination of these characteristics working together makes rental real estate a very good investment for today's economy and years to come. Increased rents, high rental demand, good values and low non-owner-occupied mortgage rates contribute to positive cash flows and very favorable rates of return.

Contact me for more information about actual opportunities in our local market.

Great Investment

If you invest in a savings account, you'll make less than 1% and will have to pay income tax on the earnings. On the other hand, contribute something extra to your house payment on a regular basis and you'll essentially, earn at the mortgage interest rate which is certain to be more than you're earning in the bank.

Making additional principal contributions on your mortgage will save interest, retire debt and build equity. An extra $100 a month in the example shown will save thousands in interest and short the term of the mortgage as well.

Reducing your cost of housing is another way to improve the investment in your home. Becoming debt-free is a worthy goal that is achieved with discipline and good decisions. Suggestions like this are part of my commitment to help people be better homeowners when they buy, sell and all the years in between.

Risk Determines Rate

Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.

Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.

• Loan amounts - conventional loans for more than the conforming limits set by Fannie Mae are considered jumbo loans and generally have a higher interest rate.
• FICO score - the lowest interest rate is reserved for the highest credit scores; the lower the score, the higher the rate borrower will pay.
• Occupancy - borrowers occupying a home as their principal residence are considered a better loan risk than second homes and investment properties.
• Loan purpose - purchase transactions generally have the lowest interest rate while refinancing a home is generally higher.
• Debt-to-Income ratio - a borrower's monthly liabilities divided by their gross monthly income develops a ratio that helps lenders to assess the borrower's ability to repay the mortgage.
• Loan-to-Value ratio - the lower the percentage of the loan to the appraised value of the property will generally lower the interest rate.

Any combination of these factors could limit a borrower's ability to secure a mortgage at the rate initially quoted. Being pre-approved by a trusted mortgage professional is the best way to know what rate you can expect to pay. Please call for a recommendation.

In search of an honest man

Similar to Diogenes’ search for an honest man, homeowners want someone to do quality repairs at a fair price.  The task appears reasonably easy but if you’ve ever tried to locate someone to fix something, you know just how difficult it is.

Finding a list of companies from a phone book doesn’t mean they’ll be reasonable and reliable, it just means they have a phone and are willing to pay for an ad.  Searching on the Internet may direct you to a website that appears to be a local company but really is a marketing company who will sell the lead to a repairman or company who will pay a referral fee.

There are consumer organizations like Angie’s list who rate repairmen and contractors but they usually require an annual membership fee to be able to access the information.  There are also services like Renovation Experts or Service Magic that are registries for contractors but they may not be the most competitively priced.  

Your best recommendations are going to come from friends, family and neighbors you trust who have actually used the repairmen before and would use them again.  The problem here is that you might have to make multiple calls before you can find a friend who can recommend the type contractor you need.

Repairs are a normal part of selling homes and we certainly come in contact with lots of contractors.  This experience leads us to understand who is reputable and reasonable as well as who to avoid.  As part of our commitment to helping you be a better homeowner from the time you buy your home until you sell it, we’re more than happy to make a recommendation of good repairmen or other professionals you might need.  Give us a call…we want to help.

Deductible Is the Point

Points refer to prepaid interest on a home mortgage and can be fully deductible by the buyer in the year paid if the right conditions exist. The points must be used to buy, build or improve a taxpayer's principal residence but not all fees charged by the lender are necessarily deductible.

According to IRS Publication 936, "The term 'points' is used to describe certain charges paid, or treated as paid, by a borrower to obtain a home mortgage. Points may also be called loan origination fees, maximum loan charges, loan discount, or discount points. A borrower is treated as paying any points that a home seller pays for the borrower's mortgage."

If you purchased a home in 2011, have your tax professional evaluate your closing statement to see if there are loan fees that may be used as a deduction on your tax return regardless of whether you or the seller paid them.

Refinancing a principal residence or purchasing an investment or income property require that points must be deducted ratably over the term of the mortgage rather than deducting them fully in the year paid. Borrowers in these situations should consider the benefits of lower interest rates from paying point to higher interest rates without points.

This article is meant to provide information that can be discussed with your tax professional about your specific situation and is not to be considered tax advice.

Choose Your Deduction

One third of all U.S. households, 75% of households with more than $75,000 income and most homeowners itemize their deduction on their federal income tax returns. It makes sense because the interest paid on their mortgage and their property taxes probably exceeds the allowable standard deduction.

However, with interest rates as low as they have been in the last two years and the price of homes having come down considerably, it is possible that the standard deduction may be the better choice.

Each year, the taxpayer can compare the total of the itemized deductions to the standard deduction to select which method will result in the most benefits. The 2011 standard deduction is $11,600 for married couple filing jointly and $5,800 for single filers.

The Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 allows homeowners to take the standard deduction and the lesser of their actual property taxes of $1,000 if filing their return married jointly. For more information, see Schedule L found on www.IRS.gov and consult your tax advisor.

Forced Savings...Really?

Part of the American Dream is to own a home. A home is a place to call your own; a place to raise your family and share with your friends. A home is a place to feel safe and secure. A home is a good investment?

In a recent report* by Beracha and Johnson, it is suggested that buying a home is the right thing to do but not necessarily for the reason that people expect. A home is, in many instances, the largest investment that homeowners have and it accounts for the majority of their net worth.

The report suggests that the self-imposed savings due to amortization has a significant contribution to a person's net worth. The premise was determined by comparing the net worth of buyers to renters over a 31 year period of time.

When the savings in rent and down payment were reinvested, renters had a greater net worth than buyers after each 8-year cycle by a margin of 91% to 9%. On the other hand, when the requirement to reinvest the savings was dropped and renters were allowed to spend the savings on consumption, the Buyers had a greater net worth 84% compared to 16% for renters.

Appreciation, tax savings and amortization contribute to lowering the cost of housing and help homeowners build equity. The forced savings due to amortization benefits the individuals who may not be disciplined enough to invest the savings otherwise. Regardless of which benefits apply in different situations, owning a home can be a satisfying investment both emotionally and financially.

*Factor Sensitivities in the Making of Buy vs. Rent Decisions: Do Homeowners Make the Right Decision for the Wrong Reason by Eli Berach and Ken J. Johnson of Florida International University writing for the Journal of Housing Research.

The "Right Size" Home

Work hard, buy a home, start a family and continue to upgrade your home until everyone has enough room. This has been the blueprint for lots of homeowners for the last fifty years but there is certainly a shift in thinking that could change all of that.

Interestingly, Americans live in much larger homes than most people in other countries throughout the world. The U.S. Census reported in 2006 that the average single family home completed had 2,469 square feet which was 769 feet more than in 1976.

Once the children are grown and have moved out, homeowners are finding they have too much room. Even if their home is paid for, they have higher property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance on the larger home than they'd have if they were living in the "right size" home.

Some homeowners state thaty they're keeping their larger home because it has luxury features that smaller homes don't have. There's a movement that seems to have started in the United States to find the "right size" home with the amenities and convenience that homeowners want.

This philosophy has been expressed by Sarah Susanka in her book Creating the Not So Big House. It proposes a house that "values quality over quantity with an emphasis on comfort and beauty, a high level of detail, and a floor plan designed for today's informal lifestyle."