Here’s my run-down of what’s hot and what’s not in housing and home design today:

What’s Hot: Bargain hunting for homes.
What’s Not: Over-paying with the expectation of continued appreciation

What’s Hot: House as home
What’s Not: House as investment

What’s Hot: Right-sizing
What’s Not: McMansions

What’s Hot: Pragmatic and flexible living spaces
What’s Not: Specialized rooms for each activity (media rooms, exercise rooms, etc.)

What’s Hot: Remodeling within home’s existing footprint
What’s Not: Huge additions

What’s Hot: Quality finishes
What’s Not: Wasted space

What’s Hot: Eco-friendly materials and building solutions
What’s Not: Over the top bathrooms with chromatherapy tubs, steam showers, gold fixtures

What’ s Hot: Authenticity
What’s Not: Faux

What’s Hot: Living closer to urban areas, with a smaller home, a shorter commutes and more free time
What’s Not: Living far out, with a huge house, a long commute and no free time

What’s Hot: Nine foot ceilings
What’s Not: Two story foyers and soaring cathedral ceilings

What’s Hot: Basement remodels
What’s Not: Oversized garages that dominate the facade of the house

What’s Hot: Outdoor rooms – Building decks and patios as an inexpensive way to add living space
What’s Not: Mixing multiple architectural styles in one house

So what do you think? Please feel free to disagree or add your own “what’s hot/what’s not” trends to this list.