Bigger is not always better.
Many people are hoping, wishing, and working for a housing upgrade. Not only a better school district or a more desirable neighborhood, but a BIGGER house. More square footage, more bedrooms, more bathrooms, more everything!
Having space for socializing is wonderful, and a little room to stretch your legs can be great. However, there are immense advantages to living in a smaller house! So, rather than falling prey to the cult of the HUGE, let’s make the case for small houses in Grand Rapids.
So – how can a small house be superior to a large one?
1. Less day-to-day maintenance
Running a house takes a lot of work. Washing the dishes, keeping the floors clean, and tidying the bathroom all take time. If you have four bathrooms, you have four tubs to scrub!
Put more simply, if you have more space, you have more to maintain. Smaller houses are easier to keep tidy and fresh, which frees up your time for more fun activities. Don’t spend every evening keeping up the house, just to keep up with the Joneses.
2. Lower Structural Costs
Everything in a house eventually breaks. The water heater, the furnace, the roof, everything. However, not all replacements are created equal.
If you need a furnace that can effectively heat a 5,000 square foot house, you are going to pay top dollar. Small houses in Grand Rapids don’t require as many BTUs, so your bill will be much friendlier. Similarly, replacing a smaller roof is cheaper than a large one. Remember – your mortgage isn’t the only payment you’ll have to make!
3. Increased Interaction Within the Family
Many people bemoan the psychological ‘distance’ between family members in our increasingly digital world. It’s common to see Dad watching TV in the dining room, Mom on the iPad in the family room, brother in their bedroom on a phone, and sister in the living room on the computer. It’s easy to feel an intense disconnect from the people around you.
Simple, basic interactions between people are more frequent when you live in a smaller space. This provides more opportunities for conversation and activities, which can greatly add to the richness of life. By sharing more ‘day to day’ experiences, you can continue growing together.
Of course, this has its limits, and you will want to have space for privacy as well. But sometimes, a little more face time just what the doctor ordered.
4. More Opportunities for Fun
Typically, small houses in Grand Rapids are less expensive than larger ones on the same block. As a result, you can keep more money in your bank when you buy, and pay less each month for your mortgage. This opens up a world of possibilities!
If you’re not scraping for cash every month, you can save up for that vacation. If you don’t put every dollar you have into the down payment for your house, you might be able to upgrade your car. When you’re not counting every penny, a night out for pizza is a lot less stressful.
Housing is often a family’s biggest expense. By keeping your costs low, you keep your options open. You can save more for retirement, put money down for school, and have more fun experiences. Don’t trade away your freedom for a bedroom you’ll never use.
As you consider your housing options, remember that bigger isn’t always better. Small houses in Grand Rapids have many advantages. Live with a little less space, and enjoy the upsides!