Dive Brief:
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Half of American adults live alone, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, a reality that is changing the way homes are built.
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More multifamily communities, for example, are including communal home theaters, patios and work areas so single residents can live in private apartments but still connect with their neighbors socially.
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Single adults are more likely to buy property as part of a group, which could lead builders to rethink floor plans. For example, a home with multiple master suites would appeal to unrelated adults who are sharing the space.
Dive Insight:
In a BUILDER article, Susan Yashinsky, vice president of innovation trends for Sphere Trending in Michigan, noted that as the population of single adults grows, home builders will have to refocus their marketing and options to an audience “of one versus a market of many.” Developments of single-family homes will have to incorporate communal elements that provide residents with social opportunities, much like multifamily complexes do now.