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‘McMansions’ become a liability as buyers reject the wasted scale of the housing market
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“A large home without those features narrows the buyer pool significantly. Meanwhile,” he said, “a smaller but more technologically advanced home designed for indoor and outdoor living often does better in terms of needs and prices.”
“Today’s consumers are more educated about operational costs and long-term durability,” Polsky admits. “In this market, lifestyle infrastructure and sustainability are no longer bonuses. It’s an expected foundation.”
The resale advice used to be: “Keep it beige.” Now, Zillow finds that buyers are giving more to olive green and charcoal gray, with “color immersion” reported by 149%. Experts say the “beige box” of the mid-aughts is a hard sell now.
Serhant. founder and CEO Ryan Serhant shares his perspective on the housing market on ‘The Claman Countdown.’
“A sterile beige spec home from the mid-2000s feels contrived. Buyers today respond to depth and personality but must be selective,” said Polsky. “We encourage sellers to modernize things with warm neutrals, layered textures, and periods of targeted colors. ‘Safe’ used to mean nothing. Now safe ways are well-designed. Homes without bullets tend to photograph poorly and last longer.”
“Consumers are looking for simple, organic palettes with texture and architectural contrast,” estimates Burrage. “We advise our clients who build with us to keep their interiors fresh and bright in a strategic way. Thoughtful design can have a huge impact on the buyer’s perception and the final sale price.”
As millennials and Gen X become the primary purchasing power, they are rejecting the norms of the past. Real estate experts both answered “yes” when asked if the market is seeing a permanent cultural shift in what “luxury” means.
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‘The Big Money Show’ discusses why millions of American homeowners aren’t selling.
“Boomers selling older properties should give more consideration to modern plans and aesthetics,” says Burrage. “Buyers are comparing them to newly built coastal homes that are designed for weather resistance and low operational risk.”
“Boomers selling 2006-era properties need to understand that today’s buyers compare everything to new construction and modern infrastructure. Updating mechanical systems, improving energy efficiency and refreshing interiors before listing can significantly improve standing,” said Polsky. “The American Dream has not disappeared, it already has a purpose. Buyers are looking for homes that support the way they live, not just how they are perceived.”
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