At first blush, the year 2000 doesn’t feel that long ago. Now, in 2020, it’s still only about a fifth of the way into a new century, and plenty of people can vividly remember when that century turned. Still, 2000 was two decades ago. It was before 9/11and before the foreclosure crisis. The Grammy award winner for Best New Artist in 2000 was a teen named Christina Aguilera, who’s pushing 40 now. The New England Patriots had yet to win a Super Bowl. Twenty years ago is less recent than it sounds.

Home construction has changed since then in quite a few ways. Much like a home built in 2000 is different from a home built in 1980 – clothes chutes, anyone? – a home built in 2000 is different from one built in 2020. Here are five differences between homes then and now.

Homes got bigger

According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics that track new home construction starts and completions, the average square footage for a single-family home built in 2019 was 2,511. Back in 2000, the average size of a new home was 2,266 square feet. In 20 years, new homes have gotten 10 percent bigger.

The statistics are skewed a bit, too. Home sizes have actually trended slightly downward after 2015, as affordable housing has been in high demand.

Space is being used differently

Even with the recent trend toward smaller homes, the average single-family house is still larger than it was 20 years ago. So where is the extra space going?

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the percentage of four- and five-bedroom homes has grown over the past 10 years alone. Bigger homes tend to have more bedrooms.

But homes built in 2000 also didn’t as frequently have mudrooms or dedicated home offices as new homes have today. Open floor plans are also more common in modern homes than in 2000.

Location

The real estate rule of thumb is that it’s all about “location, location, location,” but that’s probably less the case in 2020 than it was in 2000.

Back then, the internet was still fairly new, and not every household or business had wireless internet. So working remotely was much less prevalent, which made commuting to a job more of a concern.

Homebuyers still value the physical location of a home, but work commutes don’t necessarily dominate the decision process. A home’s amenities and proximity to stores, restaurants, schools, and attractions have become priorities over how far it is from an office.

Technology

Smart home devices seem common today, but the first wireless thermostat wasn’t even available to consumers until 2011. In 2000, home automation was still something out of a futuristic movie.

Modern homes have more of a technology lean. Internet-connected thermostats are just one facet, however. Homes are also being built with house automation systems, smart locks, wi-fi garage door openers, and even sprinkler systems you can control with an app on your phone. None of this was around in 2000.

Energy efficiency

Technology has improved energy efficiency, too. LED light bulbs alone use much less power than incandescent bulbs, and builders can now not only just put in LED bulbs but install entire LED fixtures.

Improvements in windows and insulation over the years (as well as how they’ve changed industry standards) have also improved energy efficiency. According to the NAHB, multi-zone heating-and-cooling systems, tankless hot water, automated drapes and blinds, and LED fixtures all contribute to the energy-efficiency of a home.

A new home built today is quite a bit different from one built in 2000, in terms of space, technology, energy-efficiency and more. The year 2000 might not sound very distant in the past, but it terms of new home construction, it very much is in several significant ways.

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Newest Homes for Sale in Dubois County

View the newest homes listed in Dubois County in the last 10 days:

$175,000 Active

5362 W Division Rd. Jasper, Indiana

3 Beds 2 Baths 1,560 SqFt 1 Acres

Listing courtesy of Larry Carpenter III from Carpenter Realty LLC.

LOCATED IN THE GRASSLAND HILLS SUBDIVISION IS THIS 4044 SQ. FT. HOME ON A 1.39 ACRE CORNER LOT. THIS HOME HAS IT ALL. FEATURES INCLUDE 5 BEDROOMS, 3 FULL BATHROOMS, AND A DREAM KITCHEN WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF CABINETS, DESK AREA, WINDOW SEAT, LARGE STORAGE AREA, PANTRY AREA, EAT-IN-BAR AREA, AND SEVERAL WORK AND COUNTERTOP AREAS. BEAUTIFUL CERAMIC TILE GRACE THE FLOOR OF THIS UNBELIEVABLE KITCHEN AND ALSO IN THE DINING AREA, HALLWAY AND BATH. THE LIVING ROOM IS ENORMOUS WITH ITS HUGE STONE FIREPLACE AND HIGH CEILINGS. THE SPACIOUS MASTER BEDROOM HAS ITS OWN PRIVATE BATH. THE ADDITIONAL OFFICE IN THE LOWER LEVEL IS SURROUNDED BY WINDOWS ON 2 SIDES OF THE ROOM TO LET IN LOTS OF WONDERFUL LIGHT ALONG WITH BEAUTIFUL BUILT IN DISPLAY OR STORAGE CABINETS ON 2 WALLS OF THE ROOM. A LARGE FAMILY ROOM WITH A BRICK FIREPLACE IS ALSO LOCATED IN THE LOWER LEVEL ALSO FEATURING MORE WINDOWS. THIS HOME ALSO HAS A 3 CAR GARAGE WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE HOUSE WITH A COVERED WALKWAY.

$379,000 Active

1091 W 36th Street Jasper, Indiana

5 Beds 3 Baths 4,014 SqFt 1.300 Acres

Listing courtesy of Steve Wigand from ERA FIRST ADVANTAGE REALTY, INC.

SPECIAL INCENTIVES: 5.5% 30-YEAR FIXED RATE PLUS $2,000 CLOSING COSTS. ZERO DOLLAR ENERGY REBATE. NO ENERGY BILLS FOR TWO YEARS!! JAGOE WILL PAY ENERGY BILLS UP TO $200/MONTH FOR TWO YEARS. Located In Hunters Crossing Subdivision The Cumberland Craftsman Floor Plan Is A Perfect Combination Of Contemporary Design With A Cozy Farmhouse Feel. This Two Story Home Offers 2,151 Finished Sq. Ft., 4 Bedrooms And 2.5 Baths. Open The Door To An Inviting Foyer Which Leads You To The Open Living Area Featuring A Spacious Living Room, Dining Area And Upgraded Kitchen Design With Island Bar, Granite Countertops, Mythology Tile Backsplash And Stainless Steel Appliance Package With Gas Range. Large Laundry Room With Locker Shelf And Half Bath Complete The Main Level. Stairs To Upper Level Are Just Off Of The Main Living Area And Lead To A Loft/Bonus Room, Ideal For Home Office, Game Room Or Secondary Family Room. The Spacious Owner's Suite Offers A Private Bath With Cultured Marble Double Bowl Vanity, Fiberglass Shower and Walk In Closet. 3 Additional Bedrooms And A Full Bathroom Finish The Upper Level. Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Throughout The Main Living Areas, 9 Ft. Ceilings On The Main Level And Lots Of Natural Light Are Just A Few Of The Highlights Of This Beautiful Home! Click On The Virtual Tour Link For A Private Tour.

$291,800 Active

1404 N Hunters Crossing Pass Huntingburg, Indiana

4 Beds 3 Baths 2,151 SqFt 0.230 Acres

Listing courtesy of Kathy Rowekamp from RE/MAX Local.

5 Differences between a Home Built in 2000 vs. 2020