As someone who saw the tail end of the pre-'08 boom and then the latest boom, it is absurd bow big homes are. Space is nice, but more room means more work, and less outdoor space. There's a lot to be said for 3-season porches, wraparound decks, and other semi-outdoor living spaces. No one here seems to build full basements, either, and it isn't due to the water table. Digging a hole is cheap. But a crawlspace is cheaper, and also faster, and the houses need to be built and sold FAST! It's insane.