SA homes smaller than in the 70s
If you’ve recently been hunting for a home and thought that they all look smaller than your childhood home – you were right! New homes being built have been shrinking in size since the 70s as developers look to slash construction costs but still earn significant returns on their property.
Builders are cutting down on extras such as extra bedrooms, swimming pools, staff quarters or garages to make way for smaller yet practical spaces. From 1970 to 1974, erf sizes were at an average of just over 1 000 square metres. By 2010, that number has been halved to just over 500 square metres. The median home size has also seen a reduction in space – from 203 square metres in 1970-74 to 146 square metres, according to data from the FNB Property Barometer. Sectional title units are also falling, with units now measuring an average of only 90 square metres – down from 130 square metres in 2000-04.
While the downsizing trend has been fuelled by the recession and high demand for property in areas where space comes at a premium, there’s also contemporary appeal of smaller, entry-level homes. Developers are taking note of millennials getting married and starting a family much later in life and opt for compact but highly functional living spaces that are affordable and easy to maintain.
