On Wednesday, we mentioned a young man among our young entrepreneurs who have found real estate success by the name of Austin Hay. He built his own home — a 130-square-foot-plus house, constructed on a trailer base located in his parent’s backyard and costing less than $12,000.
What Austin didn’t realize was that, by building a home this size, he was joining the tiny house movement.
And make no mistake, it is a movement.
Homes under 500 square feet are beginning to catch on here in America, due in large part to their low monthly costs, small environmental footprint, and overall low cost (many people who own a home this size have no mortgage). In this article, we talk about 5 small pieces of novelty real estate that are sure to capture your heart in a big way.
That being said, here are the 5 homes we’ve highlighted, from largest to smallest.
Photo: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-tiny-homes-youll-love-big-time.html
Name of Property: Z-Glass
Designer: Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.
Takes Up: 370 square feet
Cost of Building It Yourself: $26,000
Cost of Construction Plans: $595 to $795
Notable Information: Can choose any sturdy, long-lasting exterior finish (rolled hot steel siding pictured); home features small fireplace, washer-dryer combination, tankless water heater, dishwasher, full-size range with oven and built-in microwave, and air conditioner option.
Photo: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-tiny-homes-youll-love-big-time.html
Name of Property: Shotgun Shack
Owned By: Gary and Debra Jordan
Takes Up: 320 square feet
Location: Siloam Springs, AR
Building Cost: $20,000
Notable Information: Monthly expenditures total $125 for lot and combined $130 for utilities; house includes kitchen/dining area with full-size appliances (refrigerator, stove, oven, microwave, and stackable washer and dryer), living room with built-in couch/full-size guest bed, master bedroom with full-size bed and dresser, loft bedroom, shower, toilet, and sink.
Photo: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-tiny-homes-youll-love-big-time.html
Name of Property: Painted Lady
Builder: Tiny Texas Houses
Takes Up: 312 square feet
Location: Round Top, TX
Building Cost: $95,000
Notable Information: Low taxes and energy costs ($35 to $45 per month in summertime); built using “Pure Salvage Building” techniques; house features six-color exterior, unique stained-glass windows, front and back porches, king-size Murphy bed, loft area, built-in couch/bed, Sub Zero fridge, under-counter freezer, two-burner induction cooktop, microwave, bathroom river-rock floor, and shower walls constructed from late-1800s galvanized interlocking roof shingles.
Photo: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-tiny-homes-youll-love-big-time.html
Name of Property: Bodega
Designer: Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.
Takes Up: 261 square feet (Studio/1BA) or 356 square feet (1BR/1BA)
Cost of Building It Yourself: $22,500 (261 sq ft); $29,500 (356 sq ft)
Cost of Construction Plans: $695
Notable Information: Both sizes sport a dishwasher, full-size range with oven, built in microwave, and tankless water heater; the 261-square-foot model includes a full bath, kitchen (equipment above), fireplace, loft bedroom, and washer-dryer combination; the 356-square-foot features a loft bedroom and actual bedroom, as well as a closet equipped to fit a stackable washer and dryer.
Photo: http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/5-tiny-homes-youll-love-big-time.html
Name of Property: XS House
Designer: Tumbleweed Tiny House Co.
Takes Up: 65 square feet
Ready-Made Cost: $38,997
Cost of Building It Yourself: $16,000
Cost of Construction Plans (Download): $99
Notable Information: Has to be built on a trailer; only space enough for one person; house features two closets, built-in desk and couch, loft bedroom big enough for queen-size matress, stainless steel fireplace, optional small air conditioner, shower, small water heater (which provides only enough heat for a 5-minute shower), fridge, stainless steel counter, under-sink hot plate, and a low-flush toilet like an RV’s.
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Stephanie Huskey is the resident real estate blogger for Movoto and she’s not sure she could live in any of these super-small homes. (Her current apartment is around 930 square feet, which is about as small as she wants to go.) Interested in getting her advice on your blog? She’s currently seeking guest blogging opportunities so she can share her knowledge with new communities! You can find her over here at Elance.com.
