The hottest trends in new home construction are not things like glass sinks and marble floors. Ostentatious architectural behemoths are no longer being seen in newly created neighborhood. New homebuilders are listening to buying trends, watching their pennies and making wise eco-friendly choices in materials. Practicality is the new key word in the home building industry.

Perhaps, the biggest change in new home construction is the size of the home itself. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the average size of new US homes dropped between 2007 and 2009. The overall size of a new home shrunk from 10% to 15%, which in turn brings down the price of the property. Buyers no longer see the need or have the funds to care for the spacious way of living anymore. Amenities are still present, quality finishings are still used, granite countertops are still popular but the kitchens and bathrooms are smaller.

Energy efficiency is the next biggest trend in new home construction, which is not surprising. Builders are using better methods of construction, choosing to spend money in areas that will not only make the home more green but will also appeal to the buyer's wallet. Choosing better windows that help maintain a higher R-value in the home is one way to increase energy efficiency. Properly sealing duct work so the homeowner gets the maximum possible benefit of air flow, is now a regular part of home construction. Using closed cell spray foam insulation in walls, cavities and attics, instead of pink batted insulation, increases the home's R-value tremendously. Perhaps, builders are choosing to construct energy efficient homes for the good of the environment. Or perhaps, it is an attempt to stay competitive in a market where foreclosure real estate is cheap and plentiful. Either way, the buyer benefits.

Anyone who has been in the real estate market for a few years knows that the best way to increase the value of your home is updating the kitchen and/or bathrooms. The reverse is also true if your intention is to decrease building costs. New homebuilders have begun to scale back the size of kitchens. Bathrooms are losing square footage as well, but they are also decreasing in numbers. Homes, previously having two or three bathrooms, will now have one or two depending on the number of bedrooms. The kids' exclusive bathroom or a downstairs' powder room is no longer the trend. Most often there is the main bathroom for guests and an ensuite half bathroom for those who occupy the master bedroom. Resort style door-less showers are now a rarity in new homes. Instead, there is the built in linen closet. The kitchen is smaller but as the most used room in the home, it is constructed with practicality in mind. Traditionally, this is a multi-use space so new homebuilders are adding features for those uses. Perhaps, there will be a charging station for cell phones and laptops. Or the ability to sit in multiples ways; at a breakfast bar, at a kitchen table or at a built in desk area.

In Europe, laundry facilities in the home are traditionally located in the kitchen. In North America, we do not see that too often. However, the practicality of the arrangement is pleasing and perhaps new home builders will catch on at some point. For now there does seem to be a trend towards building a dedicated and organized laundry room on the main level of the house. Instead of sticking the washer and dryer in the basement or a closet, homebuilders are creating a dedicated space. Now the never-ending mundane task of laundry can be completed without bumping elbows with the furnace or closet doors. Plus if space allows, the laundry room can double as a mud-room.

As the US continues to struggle with recovery from the infamous economic downturn of 2007, homeowners will continue to seek ways to lower the cost of living. Foreclosure sales are great if you have the cash in hand but those homes do not necessarily come with the components to make the cost of living less. Rooms will usually be larger and more expensive to heat. More bathrooms means a higher water bill. Most homes are not properly insulated, which is a huge factor in energy consumption. Windows today are far more energy efficient than even five years ago. If you are looking to get into the real estate market, take a good hard look at new home construction. After all, practicality is key.