Welcome to the October edition of our newsletter, The PrimeTime Advisor.  As always, we hope you will find its contents informative and the newsletter itself something you look forward to receiving. 

Sincerely,

Tom Skahen and Janice Dumont

Smaller Homes Are Big

By:  Tom Skahen, Partner, PrimeTime Communities, LLC

In 2011 we talked about the trend of building smaller and more efficient homes to keep price points down and sales absorption up.  This is no longer a concept, but a reality that we're experiencing first hand with our builder clients and subsequent buyers.

We're seeing the trend take shape all over New England. Within single family developments, we're seeing smaller bungalow, cape,
and garage under style floor plans.  The developer downsizing is also prevalent within resort markets with smaller cabin and cottage style second homes being designed and built.  The 55 plus market is rebounding strongly with smaller floor plans, ranch style homes, and lower price points.

One car garages, 2 and 3 bedroom single family homes, homes built on slabs, elimination of the dining room, and smaller lot sizes are a few other trends we're seeing.  Many developers are taking away, but allow the buyer to add back as an option.  The key is to downsize the unit with upsize options and keep the standard package, elevations, and common areas looking high end.  We're finding that smaller homes and price points are leading to bigger traffic and conversions.   

PrimeTime Communities of Maine will be providing the marketing and sales at the cottage community of Sandy Meadows at Dunegrass located in Old Orchard Beach.  The cottages are designed for year round use, are located on the 14th green of Dunegrass Golf Club, and are modular construction.  The homes will be developed by LaCosta Development LLC, a joint venture with Habitech Homes.  

Sandy Meadows at Dunegrass

PrimeTime Communities of Massachusetts will manage the marketing services for the Village at Oak Hill, to be built by Habitech Homes.  PrimeTime has worked with the developer to fully reposition this community with smaller square footage, more efficient floor plans, and competitive pricing to meet the needs of the changing marketplace.  This Active Adult community sits on 68 acres of the former Klein Innsbruck Ski Resort in Franklin and an additional 54 homes will be developed. 

Village at Oak Hill

Lincoln Park (Single Family Lifestyle Community)

Lincoln Park is the former amusement park in Dartmouth, MA and will be developed into a master planned community consisting of 57 single family homes, rental, and commercial space.  

PrimeTime Communities will provide marketing and sales services for this community and is pleased to work with the developer Bristol Pacific Homes, founded in 1987.  Preliminary plans call for smaller, more efficient, 2 and 3 bedroom homes ranging in size from 1,550 to 2,100 square feet.     

 Lincoln Park