If you are interested in finding out the houses in Texas are so large, this is the right article for you. We will discuss the different types of homes in Texas and why they are so large.
You may already know that there are not many small things in Texas. It is the second biggest state based on the landmass in the U.S. Have you also noticed that the houses in Texas are big? Have you ever wondered why?
As a general rule, the houses in Texas are so big because of the amount of land that is available within the state. That, combined with lowered building costs and the strong economy, all are reasons why houses are larger.
If you are interested in finding out the houses in Texas are so large, this is the right article for you. We will discuss the different types of homes in Texas and why they are so large.
How Do Large Amounts of Land Impact House Size?
The houses in Texas are significant because there is a good amount of available land waiting to be developed and have homes built on it. Of all the states in the U.S., Texas is the second largest one. San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin are the top cities in the U.S., with the largest amount of vacant land just wanted for development.
Due to a large amount of available land, a housing developers can build whatever kind of house they want without worrying about parameters. The developer does not have to worry about making the house a specific size or fitting into the neighborhood. Having a large amount of land available also makes land costs lower and therefore cheap housing costs.
The existing housing stock does not matter because there is so much real estate and land in the Texas markets, builders can build new construction just about anywhere. They can also build houses cheaper while keeping single family home prices low. There is a large amount of buildable land and home construction brings in new residents.
The property tax rate is much higher than other states. It can increase mortgage payments. However, the cost of living is lower, which can help offset the cost of property taxes.
Low Building Costs Equals House Size
The housing costs in Texas are significantly lower because the cost of building materials is lower than in other areas and other states. A study shows that Texas was ranked as the number 15th state for the cost of construction and materials.
This also means that Texas is in the top 30%. To build a home in Washington can cost $238,898. To build the exact same house in Texas would cost $176,045. Contractors are able to build houses at a low cost while maintaining the size and integrity of the house.
In Texas, there is no shortage of building supplies. There is easy access to concrete and sand. When the supplies are at a lower cost, that means the housing prices are more affordable making them easier to buy.
The building codes in Texas are much more relaxed than in other areas. There are local regulations that must be followed in Texas, but the process is easy to follow, and builders do not run into many difficulties. Naturally, this makes builders want to build homes in Texas.
Booming Economy
Texas has an incredibly strong economy which is pulling people into the state and making them want to move there. The state’s economy is so strong that it is more vital than many countries.
The state of Texas has been a leader in the gas and oil industry. They are a technological hub where many companies start up their operations. As a result, more people move into Texas on a regular basis.
Houston is the oil capital of the U.S., and Austin is considered the new Silicon Valley. As a result, these two Texas cities are among the top five with the biggest houses.
Growing Major Cities in Texas
While the housing market across the country has been trying to recover for the past few years, Texas has been setting the housing market on fire. However, the recession did not have much of a negative impact on the metropolitan areas of Texas.
Some studies show that Texas has fully recovered from the recession, with recovery rates over 200%. Eight of the 15 fastest growing cities in the U.S. are in Texas. There are also six of the top 10 recovering marketing in the U.S. that are right in Texas.
Here are some other top statistics about the cities in Texas:
San Antonio has a recovery of over 230%, which is the highest recovery percentage in the U.S.
San Marcos is among the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S., which has increased almost 5% from the month before.
Houston is the largest city in the Lone Star State and the second largest city in the U.S. It has a population of more than 2 million, which falls second to New Your City with slightly more than 8 million.
Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio are the top performing rebound markets within the U.S., all with recovery rates over 150%.
Gallery Of Texas Houses
Texas has many innovative house plans with a booming design and construction industry. As a result, the houses in Texas have a vast number of architectural styles that are adapted to the diverse landscape of the state of Texas.
Farmhouse Home Plans
The Farmhouse style dates back to when the German settlers came to Texas. This has remained a popular housing style for just about 200 years. A farmhouse is simple and rustic.
This style of house was intended to be practical because farmers needed a functional home for their work and to protect the people that lived in the house. This style house has the look of a classic farmhouse, including a wide open porch, shiplap inside, barn style door, farmhouse sinks, and floors with wide planks.
This style of house is usually two stories, a wood frame, and decor that makes anyone feel at home. This house incorporates the use of outdoor as well as indoor space to make it a great place to gather. These houses have large country kitchens with fireplaces and lots of room.
Colonial Style House
The Colonial style house plans span a wide variety of architectural movements. These houses have influences from the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Early Republic eras up and down the East Coast. This style of home has a range of roof styles, like the saltbox design that looks similar to a sloping asymmetrical roof.
Another roof style may have a gambrel roof looking similar to the Dutch Colonial style. Most Colonial houses are two stories; you can still find one story houses. Dormers are a common addition to these houses.
Contemporary Modern House Plans
When it comes to housing plans, modern and contemporary are often used in place of each other. However, modern reflects houses between the early 1900s through the 1960s, but contemporary means the style of the moment.
Contemporary houses of today have clean lines, open floor plans, and geometric shapes. The open floor plan has large windows to let in a large amount of natural light. These houses are functional, energy efficient, and use recycled materials.
Mediterranean House Plans
Mediterranean houses are incredibly popular in the Lone Star State. These houses are reminiscent of the homes in Italy, Spain, and France seasides. These houses can make homeowners feel like there are always on a European vacation. A Mediterranean house usually has a courtyard in the center, pergolas, and columns. These house plans have a streamlined motion from inside to outside. They typically have stucco walls, heavy wooden doors, colorful tiles, and tile roofs.
Tudor House Plans
Tudor houses originated in England during the 15th and 16th centuries. These houses balance Renaissance architecture with English Gothic style giving the homes a unique look. This style is incredibly popular in Texas.
These houses have ornate doorways, steep pitch gable roofs, groups of small windows, and prominent chimneys. A unique style of these houses also includes half timbering for decorative purposes.
Craftsman House Plans
Back during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, while the Industrial Revolution was occurring, homeowners wanted custom handmade homes. They no longer wanted mass produced houses that resulted from manufacturing. This is what created the Craftsman style.
These houses have natural materials, including stone and wood giving the house an artisan feel. Other design features include low pitched roofs, perhaps a hipped or gable roof. These roofs have eaves that overhang and exposed rafters.
The Craftsman style house has square columns to support the roof, double hung windows, furniture that is built in, and partially paned doors.
Mid-Century Modern House Plans
The Mid-Century Modern houses are not only practical but also artistic. These houses were intended to reflect the economic, political, and social movements of the time. They have become a statement in Texas despite their futuristic looks.
They have clean lines, geometric shapes, and minimalist design qualities. They have flat roofs, large windows, and sliders. These houses have open floor plans for a seamless flow and design.
Ranch House Plans
A ranch house is the quintessential style house for the Texas landscape. If this style house does not instantly transport you to Texas, no other house will.
They are a beloved house by Texans in all communities. These one story houses are not short on room. Instead, they are typically sprawling on a property with a lot of land.
Some of the standard features in a ranch house include low pitched roofs, wide eave overhangs, large picture windows, and sliding glass doors. In addition, the floor plan of these ranch houses is typically asymmetrical L-shaped, or U-shaped.
Victorian House Plans
The Victorian style house is aptly named for Queen Victoria. She was the ruler of England when this style house was at the height of its popularity. These houses remain popular in Texas today.
These houses look like something you would find in a fairytale. They are heavily ornamented inside and out. They have full front porches, gables, bay windows, roof towers, roof turrets, and steep roofs.