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At first it was thought to be a trend, a craze that would soon die out. However, the tiny house movement has continued to gain momentum. It took a while, but this time this housing trend is grabbing the nation’s attention.
For some, it is a new way to lead a simple life without the large debts of buying a full sized property. Tiny homes are far more affordable, many are available in the $20,000-60,000 bracket. These homes are often put together by those that buy them, and this in itself contributes to the lower prices.
However, the unexpected tangent of the tiny home is that people have started to see their potential as a summer escape. These houses are actually fully livable, but as a holiday home for summer vacations and weekend breaks they are perfect and far more within the average person’s budget.
What is a Tiny Home?
A tiny home is what has inspired the “Tiny House Movement” throughout the US. There is no set definition to exactly what makes a tiny home, but here are a few of the key points:
- Structure is normally under 400 sq. ft
- Average price of $20,000 to $50,000 (but, can be much higher)
- Low energy/resource usage
- Multifunction areas (for example, the lounge may change into an office)
Jay Shafer also started a trend of tiny houses on wheels, allowing freedom not only from financial burdens, but from being tied to a single location.
Ordering a Tiny Home Online
It sounds crazy, but you can even order your tiny home kit online from sites such as Amazon. For many of the homes they sell, Amazon even offers free delivery. Yes, some sellers actually deliver your house to your land for free.
The houses available on Amazon vary in style and quality, from “The Tiny House on Wheels” that comes fully featured and for under $50,000, to smaller solid installments like the “The Jackson 275 + 119 Sq.Ft – Tiny Home” for under 20,000.
Some Concerns
Tiny homes are affordable and for many are becoming the only way to step up onto a property ladder. However, they are not as easy or perfect as you might imagine. That is not to say that they aren’t a good option, because they are. It is just that there are some points to consider before purchasing.
When buying online, you are not seeing the property in person. For this reason, you should start by checking the reviews of other customers. If the reviews are positive, then you should get a ‘real world’ idea of the size. An easy way to do this is to ask for the measurements and then get outside with some friends and family to set out the size. Often what sound big or small, can look very different when it is actually in front of you.
If the size is reasonable, and the reviews are good, then consider what you want in your summer home. What do you like to do during your holidays? Does this tiny home have the features you need?
Construction permits can be tricky. Some areas only allow properties with foundations of a certain size. These regulations were passed before the era of tiny homes. However, they also often require certain standards to be met, and this is worth considering too, as the tiny house and your own construction of it should meet any required construction standards.
Lastly, consider how good your own DIY skills are. Some tiny houses may come with construction, but most don’t. Can you put this together? Do you have any friends that can help? If not, you may need to pay specialists to assist and this extra cost should be quoted before you make your order.
These are certainly not deal breakers, but they are areas of concern that should be thought about before you make a ‘tiny’ purchase like this.
How to Fund a Tiny House
When putting together finances for a Tiny House project, it is worth overestimating slightly. With any property purchase, there are almost always some extra adjustments or improvements needed. Buy borrowing a bit more than you actually need (assuming you don’t already have lots of savings) you can make your house a home straight away.
For finance options, buyers should consider personal loans, title loans, remortgaging an existing property, or asset secured loans. However, where possible it may be best to avoid remortgaging, as although the interest rate is often low, it could result in you losing your own house if repayments aren’t met.
Credit cards are also an option, but not recommended. Although some may allow interest free for a period, you would need to refinance as soon as that period expired, as otherwise you will be stuck with high interest rates.
Will you Order Your Tiny House from Amazon?
As time moves forward, the options on Amazon are likely to get better and better. The feature we think is best for people entering the tiny house movement, are the reviews provided by Amazon customers. If you are about to order your tiny house to be delivered ‘to your door’, be sure to read ALL the reviews for the houses of interest. Reading the reviews can help ensure you get what you want and that it is actually as good as advertised.