'Good Old Days" For Home Buyers Are HereToday, Survey Shows

By National Association o[ Home Builders, \Tashington, D.C.

ation of Homc IJuilclers and subsequent initiation ol' its nrany research and home development programs.

Today's house doesn't grorv "like Topsy," as it clid in many homes of 1'esteryear. More professionally designed houses are being built today than ever before by a responsible, progressive home builcling industry.

The last 20 years has seen the u'idespread advent of rnass produced economy houses and neighborhood development prorjrams in clirect contrast to the limited number of custom built houses erected cluring the depression years.

I)cmands of a rapidll' expanding U.S. population and the clefense program have hastened clevelopment of strearniined economic constructior-r methods for lou, cost l.rousing.

Here a:e some of the features of the 1952 home rrhich vour father and mother didn't find in the "House of 19i2": l)lastics, for example. have revolutionized the field oi fixtures and equipment. Norv rvidely accepted and used, they rvere unheard of in 1932-at least to the average person.

The structural shell of homes today is smaller, but has better space utilization and is constructed of sounder, nlore durable materials. Much of the "gingerbread" or ornate exterior decorations have given u'ay to modern, simple and graceful lines.

Home buyers todal' get a much l>etter value for their housing dollars than home buyers of a generation ago.

Today's nerv home buyer nou' takes for granted rnany items of standarcl equipment rr,hich 'n'ere either uncleveloped or too expensive a fer,v years ago.

Luxury fixtures of yesterdal' are commonplace today. But so gradual and consistent has been the evolution in home improvement and construction that its constant progrcss is not apparent.

Dramatic events punctrlate the transitior-r period during the past t'rventl' years.

NIass prefabrication has arrived. Even prefabricated chimneys l.rave been developed for use, replacing ccstly masonry.

Aluminurn, a \rery expensive material in 1932, has been u'idely used in duct rvork, wiring, light fixtures, foil insulation, exterior siding, roofing, gutters, dorvnspouts, and in nails. The government temporarily is restricting its u:;e to the defense effort.

, There has been a great emergence of metals in house r:onstruction.

World War II research resulted in many scientific advances and the appearance of many new products rvhich have contributed directlv or indirectly to the betterment of today's home.

Certainly a notable development torvard better homes occurred in 1942 rvith the organization of the National Associ-

Color harmony, both inside and out, was virtuailv un- known in 1932. Norv it is a major factor in home decoration and design. Research has provided relaxing color schemes to produce brighter, more spacious effects. Many new types of paints are better, more permanent, and offer a wider selection.

They've looked ct Eevercl homes, decided this two-bedroom model ig iust the thing. The builder explcins the saleg contrqct aad its obligations to both buyer cnd seller, There qre no long-winded negotictions. A small deposit, generclly lrom $100 to $300, is lelt with the builder at this time. Severcl doys loter the couple is qsked lo cppear ct lhe olfices oI c title compqny to close the decl.

"Row" houses have been replaced rvith manv stvles of