Dallas’ homes getting smaller

DALLAS – During the last two years, median new home sizes have declined slightly in all three of Texas’ largest metro markets, according to Redfin.com.

Dallas-area home sizes have fallen from above 2,100 sf in 2011 to about 2,050 currently, researchers found. The size of the decline has been even larger in the Houston area and in Austin.

But just because houses are getting a tad smaller, doesn’t mean they don’t have a lot of frills. Almost half of Dallas area houses listed for sale now boast of so-called luxury features including tarted up kitchens, “spa” bathrooms and up-market appliances.

Redfin analysts say that the housing boom in Texas is unprecedented.

“Reminiscent of California after World War II, Americans are moving in droves to Texas in search of high-paying energy and professional services jobs and low cost of living,” the new report says.

“Between 2008 and 2012, more Americans moved to Texas than any other state, with an average 513,000 people moving there each year, according to U.S. Census data.”