Tiny Houses Big With U.S. Owners Seeking Economic Freedom

[doxydad]

Doug Immel recently completed his custom-built dream home, sparing no expense on details like cherry-wood floors, cathedral ceilings and stained-glass windows -- in just 164 square feet of living space including a loft.

The 57-year-old schoolteacher's tiny house near Providence, Rhode Island, cost $28,000 -- a seventh of the median price of single-family residences in his state.

"I wanted to have an edge against career vagaries," said Immel, a former real estate appraiser. A dwelling with minimal financial burden "gives you a little attitude." He invests the money he would have spent on a mortgage and related costs in a mutual fund, halving his retirement horizon to 10 years and maybe even as soon as three. "I am infinitely happier."

Dramatic downsizing is gaining interest among Americans, gauging by increased sales of plans and ready-made homes and growing audiences for websites related to the niche. A+E Networks Corp. will air, beginning today, "Tiny House Nation" a series on FYI that "celebrates the exploding movement."

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/tiny-houses-big-u-owners-040102293.html

[Coventina]

1. I applaud those who do this, but I could never go that small. I have too many books!

I live in a small house, though, less than 1000 sq. ft.

Built of red brick in 1959.
Now that the plumbing, electrical, sewer line, and windows have been replaced, I hope to die here.

[Enrique]

8. get a Kindle

[Coventina]

9. I do have a Kindle, actually.

But ebooks are still not a perfect replacement for the real thing.

I do love my Kindle, though.

[LynneSin]

2. More I see Tiny Homes more I think I could live in one

Sure I'd have to get rid of alot of stuff but sometimes I feel that clutter just holds me back. My only issue with the tiny homes is the fat that most have the bedroom on the loft and as I get older I am not sure I could walk up and down steps to get to a bedroom. I have seen tiny home floor plans that were around 250st that have both the loft and the first floor bedroom. I could do something like that. Hell my first apartment was only 375sf and I survived. I think I could go 250.

[woodsprite]

3. Some are really beautiful, but I don't think I'd like to go any further down

than say, my 35' fifth wheel. Even at that, with my knees, I'd like to trade the one we have now for one where the bathroom is on the same level as the bedroom and has a walk-in shower with a seat/safety bar. Our plan is (at 52 yo) to use whichever one we get next as our vacation home when we retire. We plan on not dedicating extra space to 4 bunk beds for kids

By my calculations the living area in our fifth is about 280 sqft., For storage, there is the "basement" and a large closet that adds up to 288 cubic feet of storage. Yeah, a trailer would be all on the same level, but you don't get that huge 'basement' storage area and they don't seem as stable to tow when you do have to move it.

[PasadenaTrudy]

4. I wonder about where to put one

I'm guessing you'd have to own the land first. Doesn't seem possible here in SoCal, with the crazy ass real estate prices. I'd like one in northern NM I think

[Kaleva]

5. There's a few discussions on these type of homes in the FEEL group

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1128

[dixiegrrrrl]

6. Part of me is drawn to a tiny house

esp. as I get older.
but the loft bedroom is a drawback for mobility reasons.

Much depends on where it would be located, climate allowing for outdoor time,
and options for outbuildings for a work shed ( critical for Mr. Dixie).

Then there are the cats....and the dog.....and the chickens....

All in all, I think the era of huge houses will be over for all the but the very rich.
All those monster home that were built on tiny lots in Cal. will be a thing of the past as transportation and utilities become a costly factor.

[PasadenaTrudy]

7. I wouldn't want the loft type

either. All I need is to take a tumble...

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

10. Does $28,000 include the land?

It seems kind of expensive for something the size of a shed if not. I've heard of people building homes out of used shipping containers. They usually are fully insulated (or some are) and are rugged. Some people put a couple of them together and come up with a very livable arrangement. But the land is the big problem. In California, buildable parcels are rare. Usually what happens is that a developer buys large chunks of land and subdivides. The small guy wanting to put up a little house on a vacant parcel is usually out of luck.

Here's a lady who did it herself, modifying an old container she got for free. There are lots of vids on youtube about cheap shipping container homes.

[Skittles]

11. I wouldn't mind a tiny house but.........

can't it at least be the size of a tiny apartment?

[kentauros]

12. You mean like a one-bedroom, or a studio?

If the latter, those often get as small as some of these tiny houses, but usually not less than 400-500 sq.ft. I live in a 2-bed/bath apt, at 950 sq.ft. approximately, and the 1-bedroom apts here seem to be about two-thirds to three-quarters of that (600-700 sq.ft.)

Me, I'm quite happy with 950 sq.ft., and as a house, it would be even better, what with having some land for food gardening and rainwater collection

[kentauros]

13. This one looks pretty good, at 800 sq.ft.

http://tinyhousetalk.com/small-house-that-feels-big/

[Skittles]

14. yeah now that's about right

I'd live in that for sure

[kentauros]

15. I would too!

I skimmed the comments to find something about cost, and someone guesstimated it at around 80k, not including land, and depending on local building costs. The one pictured is for Oregon. I suspect that to build one here in Texas, that while labor costs would probably be lower, materials costs could be higher. Plus, if it was on the coast, we'd have to lose the wood stove, and put in a/c somehow. There aren't any casement windows in that design, so no convection current benefits...