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USA Today
03-04-2025
- Business
- USA Today
A close look at the cost of building a new home
A close look at the cost of building a new home Show Caption Hide Caption Baby Boomers buying more homes than Millennials Move over, Millennials — Baby Boomers are now leading the way in the housing market. According to the National Association of Realtors, Americans aged 60 to 78 now make up 42% of homebuyers, compared to just 29% for Millennials — despite Millennials being the country's largest generation. Fox - 5 NY If you're in the market for a new home, you might wonder about the factors contributing to the home's total cost. The National Association of Home Builders recently published a Cost of Construction Survey, which details the various costs of building a typical new single-family home. Many of the results show that the percentage contribution of each component has remained relatively consistent in recent years. According to the 2024 survey of home builders, the biggest single component of a new home's total sales price is construction costs, which accounts for around 64.4%. For example, the sales price of a $665,298 house would likely factor in construction costs of approximately $428,215, or 64.4%. Still nervous about homebuying in 2025? You're not alone: What buyers said in new survey Survey respondents broke down construction costs into eight major construction stages: Interior finishes (e.g., cabinets, drywall, flooring): 24.1% Major system rough-ins (e.g. electrical, HVAC, plumbing): 19.2% Framing: 16.6% Exterior finishes (e.g., roofing, windows): 13.4% Foundations: 10.5% Site work (e.g., architecture, building/permit/impact fees): 7.6% Final steps (e.g., driveway, landscaping): 6.5% Other costs: 2.1% The share of construction costs to the total price of a new home is the highest since NAHB first produced the survey in 1998. Some of the factors that contribute to the construction costs are the ongoing skilled labor shortages and building material price increases. The average single-family home size in the 2024 survey was 2,647 square feet of finished floor space, an increase of 86 square feet from 2022. From 2015 to 2022, the average square footage of a home trended downward. Constructing homes with smaller square footage in recent years is a response by builders to meet the current housing affordability challenges buyers face. Though building practices and the cost of labor, land and materials can vary widely across the country, these national averages provide an overall snapshot for the building industry. Javan Yoder is 2025 president of the Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio
USA Today
20-02-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
4 winter home projects that can pay off all year long
Javan Yoder Special to The Canton Repository Hear this story After a busy holiday season, you might be ready to relax at home during the remaining winter months. If you've been thinking about making home updates, you don't have to wait until the spring. Housing industry professionals are always ready to tackle new projects and work with suppliers year around. Typically, during the 'offseason,' home improvement experts offer discounts or lower prices to attract customers. While remodelers were busy during the pandemic, you might find it easier to schedule a project during the winter months to get a break on the price. Here are a few projects to consider during this winter season: Indoor projects to increase the value of your home 1. Refresh your floors. Hardwoods are a beautiful and classic feature of home decor. Like other home features, hardwoods need regular attention to maintain their appeal. Over time, dents and scratches can appear on your floor due to use. Sanding and refinishing hardwoods can improve their condition. Refinishing hardwoods can be a DIY project; however, the task usually involves heavy machinery, loud noise and plenty of dust. A professional floor refinisher can rejuvenate your floors, quickly and correctly while deploying dust mitigation techniques. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. 2. Update your roof. If the weather conditions are mild during the winter months, replacing your roof is an option. If you decide to take on this project, you'll have to be patient. Cold temperatures present some workflow challenges. In many cases, materials such as asphalt shingles require special handling and, in some cases, alternative adhesives when the temperature is cold. Your roof replacement might be completed through a series of fits and starts. Making this type of home improvement off-season will allow you to take advantage of a roofer's flexible schedule. 3. Replace your windows. If you have old windows, you'll start to notice them around the colder months. Try this: Stand close to your window. If there is a noticeable temperature drop or draft near your window, it's time for a replacement. Other telling signs for window replacements include condensation build-up or operational challenges (opening and closing). During the offseason, window replacement businesses may have special pricing and can complete your project in a shorter time frame. A professional will ensure the temperature isn't disrupted too much during the replacement process. 4. Renew your walls. An easy way to rejuvenate a space is to repaint or add a new color to the wall. A fresh coat of paint can transform a room. Even a smaller painting project, such as painting one wall a bold hue, can liven up an existing space. Before taking on this task in the winter months, you'll want to make sure the interior of your home is warm enough for the paint to stick well. Paint manufacturers usually provide information on the best temperatures for adhesion. Like many other home improvement professionals during the off-season, finding a painting contractor should be easy. To find a qualified professional to help with home improvement projects this winter or any time of year, contact the BIA of Stark & East Central Ohio at info@ Javan Yoder is 2025 president of the Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio.
USA Today
20-02-2025
- General
- USA Today
5 ways to make small rooms look larger
Javan Yoder Special to The Canton Repository Hear this story Only some homes have a grand foyers, great rooms and huge living areas. More often, homes have at least one small gathering room. Homeowners can enjoy smaller spaces and make them look larger with the right design approach. You can create the illusion of space with simple modifications to a small room, such as adding natural light or selecting multifunctional furniture. To get started, consider the following design tips. 5 design tips to make rooms look larger 1. Declutter your space. The best place to start is by taking stock of the items in the room. You might be surprised by how much space you have. Start by decluttering your space. For example, experts recommend sorting things into keep, put away, recycle or trash and donate. This technique can help you organize and simplify your space. Simplicity is critical for making any room look bigger. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. 2. Utilize multifunctional pieces. Once you've removed some items from a small room, think about what furniture or objects in the room can serve a dual purpose. For example, furniture such as benches, ottomans and coffee tables may come equipped with storage solutions. Hidden storage makes a room feel more spacious without removing any frequently used items. 3. Take advantage of reflections. A strategically placed mirror can visually expand your space. If a small area has a window, set the mirror near it. The trick is ensuring natural light reflects off the mirror to make the room look large and inviting. 4. Frame your windows. Lighter, neutral colors work best for window drapes in small rooms. Heavy drapes make small spaces appear smaller. To achieve the opposite effect, try adding sheer drapes to the room. As a result, natural light will shine in, and you will maintain some privacy in the room. Choose a vertical pattern, such as stripes, if you want interior window treatments with some pizazz. The stripes will draw your eyes upward and make the ceilings look higher. 5. Incorporate a couple of large items. It may seem contradictory, but you don't need small items in a small space. It may make the room look full of miniatures. Instead, try adding one or two large pieces. However, there is some design strategy involved in an oversized item selection. For example, choose a low-profile sofa to exaggerate the distance between the couch and the ceiling. Low-profile furniture will make the walls appear elongated. For more information on design trends, contact info@ Javan Yoder is the 2025 president of the Building Industry Association of Stark & East Central Ohio.
