Four classic architectural styles that consistently hit the sweet spot for new-home buyers

Architects and designers see more L-shaped great rooms, more spatial definition, and a stronger connection to the outdoors

Single-family detached homes are a perennial buyer favorite, but with the housing market still in recovery, builders have to make sure the location, design, and pricing are absolutely right

Seattle architect Ross Chapin knows all about designing smaller, smarter homes. Chapin, principal of Ross Chapin Architects, Langley, Wash., has long been a proponent of conserving resources by cutting down on unnecessary square footage.

Whether a home is large or small, the master bath continues to demand a great deal of attention.

Sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 1.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 417,000 units in March, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Although the idea of a great room has been around for many years, the design and definition have both evolved.

Nationwide housing production edged up 0.8 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 917,000 units in February, according to newly released figures from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau.