In the Tampa Bay Florida area, smaller and more affordable homes seem to be the way to go for first time home buyers, seasonal residents and people who are just looking to downsize. Builders are changing their floor plans by making the rooms smaller and in some cases they’re are able to fit four bedrooms in these smaller homes.

Some of the changes being made will include adding Bahia grass to yards instead of the more expensive St. Augustine grass, which will also cut out your need for an irrigation system. Cutting out the vaulted ceilings and plant shelves, although they give the home that “cottage feeling” they are an unnecessary energy cost and a waste of space. Putting in a front porch instead of a back patio. Putting a garage in the backyard.

These changes being made to house designs will enable builders to cut costs and offer lower prices. These new home prices are in the starting range between $117,900 and $131,900 for homes ranging in size from 1,130 sq ft to 1,598 sq ft. Builders hope that these smaller models will boost sales in order to level out the real estate market.