Single-Family and Build-to-Rent Homes Growing in Size

As people perform more daily functions at home, homeowners and renters are seeking larger footprints to accommodate a broader range of uses.

1 minute read

December 14, 2021, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Suburban House

marchello74 / Shutterstock

Paul Bergeron reports that single-family homes in the U.S. are growing in size, "in part because of homeowners’ desire for more space in response to the virus crisis and the opportunity (or necessity) for working from home."

Median floor area grew between the first and third quarters of this year, and industry experts expect the figure to continue growing as people find themselves doing more of their routine tasks—work, school, entertainment—at home. Meanwhile, rental properties continue to see high demand as many potential homebuyers are priced out of the market. For many renters, Bergeron writes, expanded storage is an increasingly important preference. 

According to a separate article by Tyler Wilkins, build-to-rent homes, particularly in suburban areas, are growing in popularity and attracting powerful investors as many households decide to opt for the flexibility, convenience, and lower monthly costs of rental homes. But some city officials fear that investors will buy up rental homes and charge excessively high rents, prompting some localities to issue a moratorium on new rental subdivisions. While the model holds the potential for predatory landlords, housing advocates argue that single-family rental homes fill a gap in an increasingly volatile housing market.

Monday, December 6, 2021 in GlobeSt.com

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 25, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Western U.S. indicating public lands that would be for sale under a Senate plan in yellow and green.

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands

For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

June 19, 2025 - Outdoor Life

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Route 66 motel neon sign.

Albuquerque Route 66 Motels Become Affordable Housing

A $4 million city fund is incentivizing developers to breathe new life into derelict midcentury motels.

45 minutes ago - High Country News

Green public transit bus at stop in Silver Spring, Maryland.

DC Area County Eliminates Bus Fares

Montgomery County joins a growing trend of making transit free.

1 hour ago - The Washington Post

Close-up of full beer glass with purple train-themed design sitting on bar between two frosty tall cans.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?

TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

June 30 - Cities Today

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.