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ARE MODERN HOMES TOO LARGE, AND WHO DECIDES?

A balance between group control and individual freedom is always flucuating. Even in the United States where freedom is supposed to ring and no one wants to be treaded upon, there are those who act like they'd rather live in a dictatorship where only they get to be dictators.

This is true if we're talking about home size, censorship, religious or politcal associations, clothing styles, etc.

ORGANIZED VS. UNORGANIZED COMMUNITIES

Obviously, there has to be SOME rules that are decided by a related collective. The question is... how far is too far? If a community is a closed one that is 'controlled' by an association, then... maybe, they'd have some say in how big a house in that community can be.

In the abscence of any organized group control in a neighborhood at the time of home or land purchase, however, any objections need to fullful reasonable requirements. For example, will the home in anyway harm anyone or anyone's property. If so, how much so? Would the size of the home encroach upon easements? And so on...

If an unorganized community is very much against a proposed building permit or plan... they need to be prepared to Pay for what they don't want to happen.

Every person or family has the right to do what they want with their property that falls within the building zone regulations and reasonable considerations.

Homogeneity isn't necessary for harmony in a neighborhood. So, "reasonableness" needs to wear stretchy-pants!

Realistically, the builder of a large home needs to look at a bigger picture than their own comfort. Property taxes, overall economy of the nation and region, future job security, maintenance expenses, and purpose of a large house.

Personally, I'd do anything in my power to justify a large house if I had enough land to surround it with. So, making a pro's. and con's. list, and then consulting with an uninvolved person might be useful.

OTHER ISSUES:

However, there may be other issues underlying the house size debate. The person with the big house or the one planning the big house also needs to consider the consequences to others for his or her actions. THAT actually might be an underlying issue. Will my builder neighbor hurt me in some way by making his or her house bigger?

FOR THE NEIGHBORS: If one builds a big or bigger house it may affect the neighbors by raising their property values (a good and a bad thing), it may block their view which they have become accustomed to, it may kill their trees or shrubs, limit their home gardens, increase their heating bills in winter, limit their breeze which would increase cooling costs and may create some safety issues if there is a fire.

These are some of the things to consider before building a big or bigger house.

SUMMARY:

Modern homes might be getting bigger, but TOO big isn't the real issue. The size of a house needs to fit, to some degree, but not necessarily be identical to the neighbor's houses.

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