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But after every previous downturn has run its course, square footage has increased. David Crowe, the NAHB’s chief economist, says larger houses could again rule the roost if that’s what the market demands.

“Demographics drive what we words, the majority of buyers are people who have to move for one reason or another. Maybe they just got married, or perhaps they have a new baby on the way.

Six or seven years ago, buyers were moving from 2,500- square-foot houses to 3,200-foot manses mostly because they found something better than where they lived. Now buyers are jumping from 1,500-squarebuild,” Crowe said. “We have to look at who’s coming into the marketplace, and we will cater to what they want.”

What they hunger for, according to the John Burns survey, is more.

“Americans’ desire for space is still there,” said Mollie Carmichael, a principal in the firm.

Right now, the market is being driven less out of want and more out of need. In other foot houses to 2,200-square-foot places out of necessity more than anything else.

“It’s all predicated on life stages,” Carmichael said.

And now that the move-up market is starting to kick in, the consultant thinks those buyers will want more space too. She said a majority of survey respondents “told us that their next home would be bigger than their current home.”