Small Home Gazette, Spring 2022

Letter From the Editor: still in the midst of a pandemic

by Tim Counts

The annual Twin Cities Parade of Homes, which showcases new construction, came and went recently. In the event’s guidebook was a page titled, “Signs to Buy New.” What followed were five purported reasons to buy a new house. To my eye, they appeared to be listed in order of increasing hilarity. (An image of the guidebook page appears at the end of this article.)

1. You want a layout and design that fits your lifestyle.

The text under this point reads, “If you love having control of everything in your home, from the layout to the finishes, then new is for you.” We all want a home that functions well. But let’s face it—the basics of living and dining rooms, kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms haven’t changed much over time. And the longer I live, the more I’m aware that the continuous march of house design “innovations” arrive and pass with predictable regularity.

2. You hate doing repairs and upkeep around the house.

Ah, that old gimmick, the promise of maintenance-free siding, is now being expanded to the entire house. This point seems to support a “use it and dispose of it” ethos for housing, which I find alarming. At least the list’s authors acknowledged that, “Every home, whether new or old, needs to be maintained…” But the text goes on to say that because everything is new, “…you can have more time to enjoy your home…” And if you buy a well-maintained older house, you’re getting pretty much the same benefit.

3. You love incorporating the latest technology.

The list specifies camera doorbells; security systems; sound and lighting systems; and smart appliances. But…you can add any and all of these to an old house. You’ll always  pay for the tech and its installation. It might be easier, admittedly, to hardwire a whole-house sound system during construction. But one thing I’ve learned about deeply-embedded home technology is that it can become obsolete in a flash.

4. You are concerned about the environment.

Now, this one’s a real knee-slapper! The authors list solar panels, high-performance appliances and electric vehicle charging stations, all of which are “so much easier to add before a home is complete.” Really? The companies offering these products have fine-tuned installation for existing houses, as they make up the bulk of their business. The blurb goes on to extoll how new home energy codes mean lower utility bills. Maybe, but a weather-sealed vintage bungalow can be mighty efficient, especially compared to conditioning new homes’ bloated square footage. And there are few things as environmentally friendly as reusing an old building. One rigorously-researched study, “The Greenest Building: Quantifying the Environmental Value of Building Reuse”, found that it takes decades for a new, energy efficient building to make up for all the energy that went into building it.

5. You love hanging with the neighbors and having a sense of community.

Please. Bungalow neighborhoods are the very definition of community—compact and walkable, with small businesses and public transportation close by. With new houses, zoning codes ensure they are built on large lots, spreading them far from neighbors. Residents have no choice but to drive to most activities and amenities. I looked at the Parade of Homes houses online and didn’t see any front porches that were designed for relaxing and waving to passersby. Speaking of passersby, how many of these new houses are built on streets that even have sidewalks?

Look, I understand that new houses must be built, and that they do have certain advantages over older houses. But promoters need to work on their messaging so that their promotional material doesn’t read like satire.