Those who in future years review SA housing trends will look back on the current period as a time when house sizes were cut to levels that had previously been thought non-viable, says Tony Clarke, MD of Rawson Properties '“ and the good news, he adds, is that this had been achieved without too much disruption of family life.
Fifty years ago, said Clarke, a standard middle class home had 1 ½ bathrooms, three bedrooms, two reception rooms, a garage and 85 to 140m² of floor space. When the economy picked up and the housing market found itself in boom times, typical house sizes rose to 140 to 150m². Now, however, the typical newly built home will probably have less than 90m² and CBD apartments in Johannesburg and Durban can be as small as 30m².
The trend to go smaller, said Clarke, is driven by the lack of cash among buyers.
'When we talk lower costs,' said Clarke, 'people are inclined to think purely of the purchase price '“ but, of course, a smaller unit also brings about lower rates and taxes, lower maintenance, lower lighting and heating costs, less water usage, lower maintenance and garden costs and lower insurance. Together all these savings can make homes accessible to sectors of the population who formerly were unable to buy '“ or who held back from buying because it involves too big a commitment over too long a period.
People, said Clarke, have discovered that smaller units tend to promote social interaction and a community spirit better than big homes.
'This is especially obvious,' he said, 'in high density sectional title schemes '“ but it can also be seen in freehold areas like Harfield Village and Chelsea Village and sections of Diep River and Table View, which have a good community spirit.
'We can congratulate SA architects on their increasingly effective use of space, often achieved mainly by open-plan layouts which actually enhance lifestyles while cutting back on square metreages,' said Clarke.
For further information contact Tony Clarke on 021 658 7100 or email tony@rawsonproperties.com.
