Condos, Cottages, Downsizing, Small homes, Trends

Small Homes, Cottages Score Big With Buyers

Also check out this Seattle Times Article here

More and more buyers are interested in smaller homes that consume less energy. If you are looking for the ultimate in compact, ecologically sound housing, and prefer to know your neighbors, you may want to consider a cottage. Cottages are popular with first-time buyers as well as empty-nesters. Developers in Seattle, Boston, Milwaukee and California have been building cottage homes to satisfy this need for several years. The best-known local builder is the Cottage Company, which builds designs by architect Ross Chapin. In the area, you can find cottages in Seattle, Shoreline, Kirkland, Mukeltio, Everett, Lynnwood, Whidbey Island, and more are being built all the time.

Cottages range in size from 1000 sf to close to 2000 sf. They are usually at least 4 in a development, and are arranged around a central landscaped area. Parking is usually in a separate structure near the street that houses all of the garages, and sometimes a separate shed or small work area. Because of all the common areas and structures, they are owned as condominiums.

Well-designed and build cottages are not inexpensive when priced by the square foot. All of the things that were packed in to a house are packed into a cottage, and some of the inexpensive things, like extra room are left out. Many cottages feature extensive built-ins to allow multiple uses of the same space. Those get expensive too.

In the Puget Sound area, cottage developments have been build in many cities and towns that have added cottage ordinances to their zoning codes. There is a variety among the different city’s codes that result in a vairety of sizes. Some are limited to 1000 sf, others are larger. When I talk to city planners, they are very enthusiastic about cottages and how they meet the needs for smaller houses in resideantial neighborhoods. Some neigbors of cottage communities, however, aren’t always excited to see them. They feel the increased density (usually 2 cottages can be built in the space one house could be) leads to a lowering of home values. Cottages usually sell form $100,000 to $200,000 less than the prices of similar-aged nearby homes that are much larger.

If you  are curious about what cottages may be avialable, contact me for a list of current listings. Also check the Featured Properties section of this website, there may be some there.