A simple way to get an idea of how new and existing homes match up with buyer preferences is to look at the share of homes above a particular size threshold. For example, 62 percent of the recent and prospective home buyers in NAHB’s survey want a home that’s at least 2,000 square feet—exactly the same as the share of new single-family homes started in 2011. In comparison, only 42 percent of existing owner homes (either owner-occupied or vacant for sales) are of this size.

But not all existing homes are available for purchase at a given time. Of the homes on the market, only one-third have 2,000 square feet or more of living space.

A result like this shouldn’t be too surprising. Half of all homes in the U.S. are over 37 years old, and preferences for things like size, amenities, location of particular amenities, and floor plans change over time. Builders who don’t do a good job of responding to current preferences are not likely to stay in business for long, so new homes really should match what current buyers want in most cases. Looking at the size of homes is an easy way to demonstrate this, because it’s one characteristic that’s readily available and quantifiable.

Looking at the distribution in more detail, the size of home most commonly wanted by buyers is in the 2,000 to 2,500 square foot range, which is also the most common size for new single-family homes started. Existing homes, on the other hand, are more likely to be under 1,600—or even under 1,200—square feet, a size relatively few buyers say they want.

To view this original article, visit the NAHB blog, Eye on Housing