Author: Charlie Russo

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.

In the last decade, we’ve seen the average new single-family home in the U.S. shrink from 2,700 to 2,400 square feet—a trend that’s especially meaningful here in Katy and West Houston. At the same time, the price per square foot has jumped by about 72%. By 2025, one in four new homes sold is under 1,800 square feet (compared to about one in six ten years ago), and the share of homes at 3,000 square feet or more slipped from one-third to just one in five. Builders are leaning into smaller footprints to balance out rising land, labor, and material costs, all while mortgage rates hover around 6–7%. For first-timers or anyone looking to keep a close eye on their budget, these more compact homes can mean lower down payments and manageable monthly costs—even if price per square foot remains high. For my clients, the landscape may be shifting, but the goal is the same: find a space that fits both your needs and your future. That’s how real estate builds lasting opportunity, just like my grandfather taught me.