Have you ever wondered about the tiny house craze? Can someone really live in 540 square feet? How do they cook? Where do they sleep? where do they shower? Where do I get one?
Take a quick look online and you’ll find kits like this Allwood Avalon Cabin Kit on Amazon.com that will cost a modest $32,990 with FREE shipping. At first glance, it doesn’t look too bad, and is quite affordable in comparison to a traditional residence.
A 3D model of the floor plan for this particular tiny house is shown above. The main floor, as well as the loft views are apparent. It seems as though you could even sleep in the bedroom, and have a guest in the loft.
This is a view from the main door looking into the living room. Small-scale furniture would be a must in decorating a tiny house. An oversized couch and 72″ TV would be a terrible idea.
The bedroom of the tiny house will not accommodate a king size bed. Bedroom furniture will also need to be kept to a bare minimum. Storage for clothes is an issue.
Bathrooms are commonly nonexistent in many tiny house kits/plans that are available. It is quite a surprise to see that this kit includes space for one.
My Thoughts on Tiny Houses
Novelty Factor
I’ll have to admit that if I knew someone with a tiny house, I’d want to visit and explore to see what it’s really like to live in one. All of my pressing questions would be answered, and I could see one with my own eyes. Telling your friends that you live in your very own house, built with your own hands is a homesteader’s dream. The kits don’t cost as much as a standard house, either. $32,990 is a pretty affordable cost when it comes to shelter.
Reality
Looking past the novelty factor, I see much that is missing in a tiny house. Immediately, I don’t see any insulation nor heating and cooling. Extreme heat and cold are not my friends in Georgia. I’m glad that there is a bathroom, but wouldn’t you have to connect to the sewer system to use it, or a septic system?
Furthermore, you still need to buy the land to build the tiny house on. Then, you have to get permits to build the house from the government in which you live. Let’s hope that you get the permits.
If you are unfamiliar with building, tools, plans, etc, you’d have to contract someone to build the tiny home for you while staying within code. Costs vary for this service.
What if you have a family to fit in the tiny house? I’m not so sure about you, but I love having a little bit of privacy and time to myself without being trampled upon by a toddler.
Conclusion
I think I’ll stick to browsing Amazon.comand daydreaming about living in a tiny house. If I were a very short and tiny, DIY handy electrician/plumber/builder/magician, then it might be a realistic living option.
Real Estate for Real People
If you’re looking to have a decent amount of space to live, like heating, cooling, and plumbing, contact Sellect Realty to find your home today. Together, we will work to find living accommodations that will work with your specific needs. If you are actually a tiny, DIY handy electrician/plumber/builder/magician, well, we sell land lots, too!
I think tiny houses are crazy cool but there’s no way I could spend more than a few nights in one. I don’t need a ton of room but definitely more than most tiny houses seem to offer. For me, they are more novelty than what I’d categorize as part of the American Dream, nonetheless a real estate investment.
It may be a great AirBnB rental, if they don’t mind not having plumbing?