With Christmas just a few days away, many new homeowners may be looking at their properties and wondering how Santa will be landing his sleigh and leaving presents under the tree.
Traditionally, homes were built with fireplaces to provide extra warmth in the colder months, but as new homes are built and the need for a real fireplace has all but been erased, those fireplaces and chimneys are slowly disappearing. Data from the United States Census Bureau details the percentage of homes built with certain characteristics, included chimneys and fireplaces.
On the chart, you’ll see that since about 1990 fireplaces added in new single-family homes have become less and less common every year. As of 2019, roughly 61 percent of newly built single-family homes do not include a fireplace. So, Santa is going to have to find another way to get his cookies and milk and leave behind those toys.
And what about his reindeer? Turner Roofing describes the latest trends in roofing show high-pitched roofs are preferred. Looks like St. Nick will need to practice his balancing act and set his parking brake – apparently the higher the pitch the better. However, Turner Roofing also says the opposite is starting to make a comeback: flat roofs.
So, what if your roof has a high pitch and he can’t land his sleigh? Well, he may have to look at parking elsewhere. According to the same Census data, as of 2019 most single-family homes have two-car garages (65 percent). Hopefully, there’s enough space in your driveway for a sleigh full of presents and some reindeer.
You don’t think your driveway will fit them all? Then Mr. Claus may be looking at parking on your lawn. You’ll find that as of 2019, 33 percent of single-family homes are on a lot under 7,000 square feet and this is the majority. Most homes, at 31 percent in 2019, also have homes in the 1,800 – 2,399 square foot range. Unfortunately for Santa and his reindeer, 33 percent of single-family homes (the majority) also feature both a patio and a porch that they will need to maneuver around. So, unless you’re in the 20 percent with a lot size of over 22,000 square feet, those reindeer might feel a little cramped. Let’s hope they don’t pick your lawn clean of what grass you have left after the winter snow.
If a single-family home features the most common characteristics of a high-pitched roof, lot size of under 7,000 square feet, house size of 1,800 – 2,399 square feet, with a patio and porch, and featuring only a two-car garage, Kris Kringle may need to get creative on that stop. Whichever way he manages to park his sleigh, we’re sure he’s had time to adapt to the changes in home design trends and knows just what to do.
If you’d like to do your own research on the most common features of homes across the nation, whether for your own business needs or to help St. Nick plan his Christmas Eve strategies The Warren Group has national data to suit your needs. Reach out to one of our data specialists and find a plan that fits your business needs, we don’t do one-size-fits-all.
From The Warren Group team – we want to wish you Happy Holidays and a very Happy New Year!
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