The news is in: home sizes are getting smaller. Maybe it's the economy; maybe the environment. But it could be that modest is — slowly — becoming the new mode.

That modest homes can be marvelous is no surprise to those of us at Preservation NC, or to you if you read Renee Elder's "Small House, Big Rewards" in our spring North Carolina Preservation magazine.

We're continuing to explore the benefits of non-extravagance at our 2009 annual conference, "The Virtue of Small." Sarah Susanka, Raleigh architect and author of the "Not So Big" book series, will be headlining with a talk on "Not So Big Remodeling."

"As more and more people build or remodel homes that satisfy in quality rather than quantity, there will be a huge shift in what we perceive as desirable," Susanka recently told CNN.com.

Modest properties of quality have been, for the last ten years or so, the bread and butter of historic preservation. The comfortable cottages in Edenton Cotton Mill Village (where the last unrestored cottage is currently under contract) have been held up as models of sensible living again and again.

This trend is only going to expand as a whole range of new properties gain historic status. If you grew up in a "minimal traditional" or a ranch house in Wendell or Wilkesboro, you may be surprised to find it listed as a contributing structure on the National Register district.

Such houses are often in great in-town neighborhoods built and improved between 1900 and 1950. These places were often designed on a pedestrian-friendly scale in close proximity to shopping and schools. Some, like East Durham, recently tapped by This Old House as a Best Old House Neighborhood 2009, are turning a corner after decades of neglect and disinvestment.

Small houses also have obvious advantages when it comes to energy use. It is possible to make larger, older homes energy efficient, but it takes a good investment in time and money. Just by virtue of their size, smaller homes consume less energy, and systemic improvements (to HVAC, insulation and more) are a whole lot cheaper.

Would-be renovators of modest historic properties can still take advantage of state preservation tax credits, as long as they spend at least $25,000 in qualified expenses. At the same time, if you're a first-time homebuyer, don't forget about the $8000 federal credit, which can be used to offset federal income tax. Home purchases through December 1, 2009, can qualify.

If you want to learn more, come down to New Bern, October 29-31, for Preservation NC's annual conference and discover why bigger is not always better in preservation and design. There will be sessions and workshops on sustainable building techniques, making maximum use of original materials, and finding creative planning and financing solutions for historic rehabilitation projects.

In all modesty, we do throw a pretty terrific conference. Hope to see you there.

 Glenn Perkins is Director of Outreach Education and Website Editor for Preservation NC.