Nope, it's because mechanically, the only reason you're getting a newer house in most metros in the US is by going far (with a horrid commute), and you'd want "

Nope, it's because mechanically, the only reason you're getting a newer house in most metros in the US is by going far (with a horrid commute), and you'd want "more space" in exchange for living in the exurbs. It doesn't cost more for builders to build bigger houses. Townhouses and condos are starter houses these days, and they're perfectly fine, it's just that the new ones are in places you also would not want to live in, because urban planning in the US is really mediocre. > international codes Always funny how the "international" code means only the US eh :-).