Could it be that the Barbie Dreamhouse is no longer fit to scale? It may be a stretch -but with the way tiny houses are trending, it seems like Barbie and her friends may soon have some pretty desirable real estate. If buying a tiny house is something that you’re thinking about, wondering about, or simply puzzled about, here’s the low down on why the tiny is now trendy.
To make things clear, a ‘tiny house’ is defined (by the American Tiny House Association) as any house between 400 and 70 (what?) square feet. A small house is anywhere between 400 and 1,000 square feet. (The Ritz Carlton Suite has a marble bathroom that measures almost 700 square feet – to put that into perspective). And no, the Barbie Dreamhouse would not qualify, just in case you’re wondering. (The Amazon Exclusive is 12 square feet). But somewhere in between the two, the tiny house is getting big.
At Colonial Van Lines, we’re not sure what buying tiny houses will mean to the future of moving, but we do know a bit about what they mean to the future in general. Read on to learn about the little houses that are making a big impact.
Why Should I Sell My House and Buy a Tiny House?
First of all, we should mention that “ #TinyHouseMovement” is a thing. Simply put, it’s an architectural and social movement that encourages living in smaller places. The philosophy at work is the more things we have, the less happy and more financially burdened we’ll be. Proponents of the movement cite the following benefits:
Financial Benefits of buying a tiny house
Tiny houses can be built for less than the cost of most cars. And because they are built to the same standards as a traditional home, they can last just as long. If the choice between a conventional home and a tiny home was purely an economical one, the tiny home would be the hands-down winner. The initial cost is low, and you get decades of affordable housing.
But the savings don’t stop there. Because your living space is smaller, utility and maintenance costs are lower, and, since tiny houses aren’t considered an improvement to the land, rent and property taxes are lower as well. Also, room for less stuff means buying less stuff; so, you save a few dollars on your shopping bill as well.
A Tiny House Is Environmentally Friendly
It’s easy being green when your house is energy efficient. Lighting, cooling, and heating a small space requires considerably less power than a bigger layout does. Less energy consumption equals a smaller carbon footprint. A smaller carbon footprint equals a happy planet.
Tiny Houses Offer Simplicity
If you’re looking for zen, you may find it in a tiny house. In fact, with houses in the nation growing in square feet, the Tiny House Movement can be seen as a small-scale minimalist rebellion.
There’s Less Maintenance with a Tiny House
Less vacuuming, less dusting, less sweeping? Yes, please! When your living space is only about 500 square feet, there’s not a lot of room to get messy. The cost of repairs is lower as well. Painting the house and fixing the roof are far cheaper (and far less aggravating) when the surface area is reduced.
Why Should I Not Buy A Tiny House?
It’s cute, its (environmentally) friendly, and its low maintenance. So, what’s not to love? Here are some reasons that buying a tiny house may be more than you bargained for.
Cooking is Difficult in Tiny Houses
With half a countertop, a fraction of a stovetop, a mini-fridge, and a pantry the size of a breadbox, a tiny house is not a place for a culinary daredevil. Tiny homeowners find themselves running to the grocery store often or simply choosing to eat out.
The Composting Toilet is a Tiny House Set Back
A flushing toilet is one thing; a composting toilet is a force to be reckoned with. A single person living in a tiny house can expect to dump urine every three to four days and solid waste about 3-4 months – unless he or she is hard of smelling.
With a Tiny House, There’s No Buying in Bulk
Remember hearing about a $90, twenty-seven-pound tub of macaroni and cheese exclusively sold at Costco? If you’re a tiny homeowner, you may want to forget about it- unless that is, it doubles as a breakfast table. When the square footage is tight, one item can equate to massive clutter.
Tiny Returns on Tiny Investments
Tiny houses aren’t legal housing in many states because of the zoning and safety grey areas they fall into. Because of this, getting a loan is difficult, selling is challenging, and when you consider the cost of a tiny home per square foot, they’re a pretty unprofitable investment. Unfortunately, most tiny homeowners lose money when they sell.
A Few Words from Colonial Van Lines
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about the ups and downs of buying a tiny house. And whether you’re thinking big or thinking small, we encourage you to think of us when you’re ready to move. From planning to packing to storage, Colonial Van Lines has the materials, the staff, and the experience to assist you with every aspect of your move. Contact us today for a free rate quote, and we’ll customize your move according to your needs and budget.
