Newbie from Lakewood, Co and Albuquerque, Nm into Tiny Homes

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Newbie from Lakewood, Co and Albuquerque, Nm into Tiny Homes

Sammantha Ford
Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 9 posts · 1 vote

Hi! My name is Sammantha Ford.

I am a reluctant newcomer to the idea of real estate. My first understanding of the pitfalls of real estate came with some harsh lessons growing up. In recent years health issues require I be more proactive in planning my future, and somewhat limit what I can do in regards to property management, maintenance and general home upkeep and house cleaning. 

For this reason I am *very* interested in the subject of tiny homes and the tiny home market. Unfortunately I currently live in Colorado, which is not tiny home friendly. My plan is to move into the Albuquerque area within the next year, which is much more open to the tiny home phenomena. 

My hobbies include writing fiction in the Paranormal Gothic genre and adoring my cockatoo and parrotlet. I am hopeful to meet others with similar tiny home interests.

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  • Daniel Fleming
    Lender · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2013 · 39 posts · 15 votes
    11y
    Hi Samantha, I've not heard of the tiny home phenomena but sounds interesting. Do you have cash reserves to get started or are you starting from scratch? If you have some money sitting on the sidelines not earning for you, you might consider passive lending on other investor's deals... Because of your limited knowledge and apprehension to the idea of landlording this might be your best way to learn the business and earn a good safe return.
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  • Travis Hamilton
    Real Estate Investor · Destin, FL · Member since 2015 · 131 posts · 64 votes
    11y

    Welcome to BP @Sammantha Ford 

    I can't say I know anything about tiny houses, other than they are small, but given all the available space in CO and the preponderance of libertarian hippies there I would think CO would be prime for a tiny house onslaught?

    I'm a native Coloradan and spent 35 years there so I can call them hippies if I want :)

    All the best here at BP!

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  • Sammantha Ford
    OP
    Denver, CO · Member since 2014 · 9 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    :)  Unfortunately most of Colorado is NOT friendly to tiny homes.  I did look to stay in this area for several years, but on learning that the minimum sq foot for a home is 600 sq ft my heart just sank.  My preferred home is 200 sq ft.  I could live in 300 sq ft but that is pushing what I can take care of.  Anything over that is just too big for me.  

    If you have a chance to step into the IKEA store they have 'homes' of 600, 500, 300 and 250 sq feet set up.  It's a wonderful experience to step into one and know what fits you.  

    Mobile home living and boondocking is more acceptable in the Denver Metro area than tiny homes. Go figure.  

    :)

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  • Dave VisayaPro Member
    Moderator
    Audio Engineer and Investor · Cebu City, Cebu · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 881 votes
    11y

    Hey @Sammantha Ford welcome to BiggerPockets! This is a good place to start learning about REI. Make the most of the site by checking ‘The BiggerPockets Start Here Page’

    BiggerPockets
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  • Aaron MoorePro Member
    Investor / Real Estate Agent · Colorado Springs, CO · Member since 2015 · 82 posts · 31 votes
    11y

    Hey Samantha, I just found this and I think it could solve your concerns with minimum size requirements in Colorado.  http://sustainablebuildingcodes.blogspot.com/2014/...

    All the major building jurisdictions use IRC so you can call the building department I your area and see when they will implement IRC 2015.  

    On a side note, you should look at the Boulder area specifically, because you have a huge pool of ready tenants and all parts of the city are much more open to progressive (especially environmentally conscious) ideas.

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  • Dan MackinBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Erie, CO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 512 votes
    11y

    I've known a few people in Colorado who have built them and lived in them, but it has been mostly under the radar. Do you plan on just having one for yourself or having a few to rent out?  Are you thinking of buying a lot and having taps installed?

    720-466-3378
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  • David Bauer
    Real Estate Investor · Lewisville, TX · Member since 2014 · 1 post · 0 votes
    11y

    I'll be moving to Colorado and I'm also interested in the tiny home scene. I came across the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company in Colorado Springs (http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com) and they have some workshops in Colorado Springs, Santa Fe and Austin (near me). I'm going to give them a call and try to get some inside scoop on building one in Colorado.

    Good Luck!

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  • Luke Miller
    Investor · Front Royal, VA · Member since 2013 · 586 posts · 418 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Aaron Moore:

    Hey Samantha, I just found this and I think it could solve your concerns with minimum size requirements in Colorado.  http://sustainablebuildingcodes.blogspot.com/2014/...

    All the major building jurisdictions use IRC so you can call the building department I your area and see when they will implement IRC 2015.  

    On a side note, you should look at the Boulder area specifically, because you have a huge pool of ready tenants and all parts of the city are much more open to progressive (especially environmentally conscious) ideaa

    Denver is currently adopting the 2015 international building codes, with the IRC included in it. Aurora will probably be next to adopt in the coming months.  wife and I are currently in the process of planning our tiny house build. Our plan is to buy a rental property (duplex) and put it in the backyard as an accessory dwelling. 

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  • Marian Smith
    Real Estate Investor · Williamson County, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 961 votes
    11y

    I read an article about a guy in the NW who was building large sheds for people for free if he could live in the completed shed rent free for 6- 8 months or so.   Those tall 9 ft storage containers are being converted into interesting 320 sq ft homes, but the ones I've seen look high dollar, if you can imagine that.   Then there are "earthbag" homes built from bags of dirt stacked up with the joints  plastered with some kind of stuccco product--evidently you dig dirt out of your lot, put it in a bag and stack it, so your house shell is free.  But odd.:-)

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