Developer · Denver, CO · Member since 2019 · 273 posts · 106 votes
Good morning everyone!
I'm interested in the overall general feeling from those of you in the real estate world on tiny homes, more specifically mobile tiny homes. Like the ones they show on TV. I'm personally building my own tiny home and am working to establish a pilot community for THoW's in the Denver metro area. I really do believe these small structures can offer a solution to housing issues in the short term and may even be a long term solution for many.
Being a part of the movement, I understand the mindset or as I like to call it the "psychographics" of the people choosing tiny living. Does anyone have experience with these small structures? Or dare I say it... a mobile home community?
I love the tiny home movement, the people that choose this lifestyle and pouring the efforts into turning the movement into a legit industry!
#LegalizeTiny!
My home: Meraki [Greek- μεράκι] - To put a little of oneself into what you do, whatever it may be.
Tiny homes are a fad. Most buyers/builders spend far more than they are worth and rarely stay with them very long. Resale is very low due to limited buyers. Most are worth 50% or less that what they cost.
Most quickly discover they are not practical and realise their money is better invested in a conventional home where it retains value and usually appreciates.
RVs and small mobile homes have existed for 60+ years. No reason to reinvent the wheel at twice the cost.
@Frances Buerkens With the new law on tiny houses in Maine I feel like the barriers of entry are minimal now. I'm actually looking at some land locally that has a tiny home build package with it. Possibly thinking of doing it as an Air BNB and off season doing it as a furnished rental. I have another deal I'm doing so its a matter of finding the money for it. I'd need to finance $80k for the build and I can get the land for $7500 down and then 2 years of 0% interest payments.
What would be interesting is if there were a relatively easy way to modularize or partition tiny home interiors so their uniqueness can be tempered to accommodate a new occupant with different needs or wants without a substantial interior re-work.
My tiny home has a "garage" for bikes and outdoor gear. The only place that you'll have to kneel or crawl into is the office, which you'd be sitting at the computer any way and my sleeping area is full height. Plus, my living and sleeping areas are opposite of each other to allow for that "space". I don't want kids and that'll be a requirement for when I find a husband.
I like the 5th wheel style too because of the high ceilings in the bedroom. Plus it's not in a loft. I cant imagine how many people who would hate to climb down a loft to go to the bathroom at 2 AM.
Do you have any interior pics of yours to post yet?
My tiny home has a "garage" for bikes and outdoor gear. The only place that you'll have to kneel or crawl into is the office, which you'd be sitting at the computer any way and my sleeping area is full height. Plus, my living and sleeping areas are opposite of each other to allow for that "space". I don't want kids and that'll be a requirement for when I find a husband.
I like the 5th wheel style too because of the high ceilings in the bedroom. Plus it's not in a loft. I cant imagine how many people who would hate to climb down a loft to go to the bathroom at 2 AM.
Do you have any interior pics of yours to post yet?
@Matt M. the difference is the look, feel and perception. MH's & RV's still carry the stigma of low income and trash living. Tiny homes are more modern and can be built in the styles of regular homes. They're attracting a younger, hipper demographic who are wanting something nice with less expense so they can spend money living life.
@Matt M. the difference is the look, feel and perception. MH's & RV's still carry the stigma of low income and trash living. Tiny homes are more modern and can be built in the styles of regular homes. They're attracting a younger, hipper demographic who are wanting something nice with less expense so they can spend money living life.
Absolutely Xavier!! The smaller over all price tag for tiny homes can equate to having a little more "luxury" if they so desire. My tiny home will have some very nice high end appliances! I can't wait until it's finished! Another point to make, is that younger generation is significantly more mobile in the work force these days. Being able to hook up their home and head to wherever work takes them has an appeal over selling their current home, then packing everything up, relocating, living in temporary housing until they can find a new home to purchase. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of process of moving.
Sprinkle in the retirees and how things are for them. Downsizing, traveling the nation and enjoying their golden years with less space to maintain and the option to be able to go where they please. Tiny homes are moving from being just a "movement" to a full fledged industry, and we're right smack in the middle of emergence and ground floor opportunity!
@Account Closed It's workable. But you really need to know the clientele and make sure there is a market for it. The type of people who are interested in tiny homes may not necessarily be the same as those who are interested in mobile homes. I know of a few investors going this route but like you they are only beginning. Only time will tell if it's a long lasting and worthwhile investment. Good luck with your project!
@Account Closed It's workable. But you really need to know the clientele and make sure there is a market for it. The type of people who are interested in tiny homes may not necessarily be the same as those who are interested in mobile homes. I know of a few investors going this route but like you they are only beginning. Only time will tell if it's a long lasting and worthwhile investment. Good luck with your project!
Thank you for your post Rachel! I'm very in touch with the clientele, by attending events and meet ups and the like. I've, just today, been asked to speak at a tiny home event in a couple of weeks. I do agree, there's a different type of people that choose tiny homes versus other options. The movement, itself, has been happening for a decade now and there's been some significant milestones achieved. Even as we speak, forces are moving to develop and incorporate tiny home specific building code at the appropriate levels.
Normalization is the key at this point. Providing an agreed upon definition is CRITICAL! We're at a point where the next couple of years are cruicial! I keep preaching to my tiny home fellows that we HAVE to present a unified front. Alas... they aren't listening. So, my thought is that we need a "tiny home Moses", if you will. Someone, some organization that all can get behind. Having proof of concept would be that turning point.
You mentioned that you have investors looking into tiny homes? Please, please, please direct them to me. I have a vision, a mission and a goal! While it might not be the most lucrative, but would certainly be impactful!
That's awesome work there and I do this stuff for a living. I'm liking the layout too.
Thanks Mike! I joke about being a "carpentrician", as I'm an electrician by trade. Some of the stuff has issues, for sure! All in all, though, it's coming together rather nicely!