Tiny Houses! These homes have recently found traction among thousands of individuals across the world. If you are looking to be a new homeowner and want to spend as little money as possible but with all the commodities you enjoy, then a tiny house might just be the home for you.
These houses are compact and perfect for an individual or a couple to live comfortably in. Granted, A well planned tiny house can even accommodate a small family. If you’re someone who loves riding solo, then it’s quite likely that knowing where to buy a tiny house on wheels might appeal to you even more.
What Is A Tiny House?
Just because a house is small does not mean it is a tiny house. So what qualifies a home to fall into the tiny house category? The most common distinction is looking at the square footage of a home. A house that is 400 square feet or less is considered a tiny house.
But don’t let the numbers give you the wrong idea. You may think that 400 square feet is barely livable space, but these homes are known to surprise you when you step into one. They are fairly cheap and affordable compared to a regular house, but it can be tricky to get financing for a tiny home. These tiny homes can more or less fit into two distinct categories.
Tiny House With A Foundation
These homes are mostly found on lots that already have a full size family home. They are independent dwellings and are referred to as accessory dwelling units. ADU for short. In recent years, quite a few individuals and couples have started purchasing land and then building a tiny house on the property. This gives them a lot more area outside their home that they can use.
Tiny House On Wheels
Think of this along the same lines of a trailer. Actually in some cases it can be considered a really fancy trailer. But this is not mostly the case. The wheels of the house help you move the home, but you can not just drive this house around and park it where you please. You can not just drag your home on a roadtrip across the states.
Now one of the main reasons for this to not be a trailer is its size. The wheels help you relocate this small home when you need to. But the houses are much heavier than a trailer. One way to imagine it is to think of it as a regular house, just scaled down in size. But this doesn’t mean you can just attach it to your truck and keep relocating or setting it up in new places that suit your fancy.
Also Read: POD Living – A Detailed Guide | Best Mobile Home Movers
How Much Does A Tiny House Cost?
Like with all houses, size matters. Apart from the size, the amenities and unique features to each home are also factors that determine the cost of a tiny house. Not to mention, there will be a price variation between houses that are built on a foundation and houses that are built on wheels. Considering these variables, it is safe to say that a tiny house can cost anywhere from $30,000 to $100,000
But your expenses won’t just end at the purchase of a home. You need to buy land or atleast lease it, so that you have a place to set up or park your new house. Different areas have different tax rules, but it is highly likely that you would have to pay property taxes, especially if your house is on a foundation.
This doesn’t mean that having your house on wheels would be cheaper. You have the advantage of moving with your home, but depending on the zoning laws in the different states, you would have to pay to be able to park your home in any given location. On top of which, you may be liable to pay real estate taxes on where you parked.
You also have to consider the cost of getting utilities for your home. This may cost more depending on where you have your house. If you have it in a community, this process may cost less, compared to having to figure out and set up utilities on vacant land.
It has become common nowadays to make these tiny homes self-sustaining, with unique systems set up for power, water and other amenities. Though these might cost a bit to get in place, over time you will eventually make your money back.
Read Also: How Much Does A New Mobile Home Cost?
How To Purchase A Tiny House
The most crucial part of purchasing your tiny house is the research. And we do not mean researching the best market with the best prices. There is a lot more to it.
Research Before You Purchase A Tiny House.
For starters, every city municipality and community has a zoning code. These codes are not the same from city to city. So you will need to look up the zoning codes for where you want to put up your tiny home. You will find that certain communities have zoning codes that basically translate to “no tiny houses allowed”.
Sometimes you may find communities that will accept a tiny home, granted it meets some strict guidelines or codes. You will also find communities that are very welcoming of a tiny house, with codes and laws that are far easier to satisfy.
So the first step in purchasing a tiny house is researching where you want to settle down with this home. It would really suck if you invested in a tiny house, but are not able to live in it, or if you have to navigate a legal maze just to be able to get the approval to set your home down.
Where To Purchase A Tiny House
It’s a common misconception to assume that this is a niche market with very few options to purchase a home. On the contrary, due to the growing demand of these tiny houses, the market is expanding and there are a lot more options available out there for people looking to be a tiny home owner.
Realtor.com
If you are not too picky about your tiny home and do not mind purchasing a preowned tiny house, then Realtor.com may have a few listings of interest. This website not only has properties that you can rent or purchase, but it also puts you in touch with the best realtors and sellers in the community or area where you are looking to settle down. This is why it’s important for you to do that first step and research.
Tumbleweed
If you are specifically looking for a tiny house on wheels, then you have to check out the Tumbleweed Tiny House Company. They specialize in, and are the largest manufacturers of, Tiny House RVs in the North America
With Tumbleweed Tiny House Company, you can design your house with them or purchase already existing houses that they have designed and built. They are very dedicated to their craft and aim to satisfy the customer, so whichever option you pick, you will not be disappointed.
The four main house models that they offer are Elm, Cypress, Farallon and Roanoke, with most of the houses being larger than 200 square feet and comfortable for four individuals to sleep in. Their houses cost anywhere from $69,000–$92,000 and this is including the cost of materials, construction and planning.
They also provide the additional service of helping the customer out with zoning ordinances and securing insurance on the home, as well as long term loan options, with relatively low monthly payments. These payments can be as low as $430 a month. You can find more information regarding them on their website.
Tiny House Listings
Arguably the best online marketplace to find a tiny house. Tinyhouselisitngs.com gives you access to potential buyers and sellers across the globe, and not just the United States.
This online platform is easy to navigate, and provides you with a variety of filters and options that assist you on narrowing down on the perfect home for you whether you are shopping with a budget or for a specific style and identity.
The platform is not only a marketplace restricted to buying and selling. You can also find tiny houses for rent. This gives those people who are still skeptical about living in a tiny home the option of renting it out and giving it a try before completely committing to purchasing a home.
You also have the option of contacting the seller directly if you are interested in a house. But since anyone can list, buy or rent on this platform, there are no fixed prices for houses. The prices are up to the discretion of the individual or group that has listed the house on the market. So it is very possible for you to come across varying prices for the same style or size of home.
Escape Traveler
Escape Traveler is a company that focuses on designing and building homes that are robust. If you are looking to settle down in areas with harsh climates, then you have to check out Escape Traveler. They are devoted to their craft and ideals with over 25 years of experience building award winning homes and relieving numerous accolades for their work.
The tiny houses they build seem to be bigger than they are, with large windows and panoramic views. These tiny houses don’t feel tiny but rather give out a sense of spaciousness.
The best place to make use of their tiny homes would not be in a housing community or city, but rather out in nature or on spacious land. Their homes are customizable with any additions you prefer, but this customization also depends on how far you want your home delivered. Typically an Escape Traveler tiny house would cost anywhere from $39,000–$79,000.
Tiny House Marketplace
Tiny House Marketplace is a well known online marketplace to sell and purchase tiny houses, both pre-owned and new. You can find all the basic information about a tiny house along with photos, features and location of the house. The website has thousands of listings from all across the country, making it easier for you to search for houses to purchase in specific communities or localities.
These homes are priced by the seller and vary from house to house, and the prices can be as low as $25,000 and as high as $100,000.
Amazon
Oddly enough, Amazon is a marketplace for tiny houses too. More specifically they are a marketplace for prefabricated tiny houses. When you purchase a prefabricated house on Amazon, you get a building kit. This kit contains pretty much all the materials you need to build the tiny house, from floor and ceiling boards to the hardware and building instructions. The only things you would not get from purchases on Amazon are the roof and the foundation.
It goes without saying that you need to research the home before you place and order. The last thing you would want is to be scammed or get products that are defected or have parts missing. So read the reviews and make sure that you get what you are paying for.
Lastly, you would want to get help from a builder or someone who has experience in building homes, to help you put your house together. It would make the whole process easier and safer.
Build A Tiny House
Though this article is about purchasing a tiny house on wheels, don’t disregard the option of building a tiny house. This is a great option as you can end up with a tiny house that has your identity.
Building a home comes with some benefits. You can build your homes to accommodate all the zoning ordinances and laws regarding tiny houses in your community. You can have your home built specific to where you choose to live, as climate and terrain are important factors to consider when owning a house, big or tiny. Building a home can be cheaper on your wallet and easier on the mind, transitioning to easy stress free home ownership.
There are two ways you can approach this option.
Hire Professionals
In the previous section we talked about where you can purchase a tiny home. But some of the companies on that list will also build you a home. There are also other companies and craftsmen who specialize in custom building tiny houses. You can also hire a professional builder who can do the job for you.
Build The House Yourself
A very viable option if you have experience in building or construction. Even if you have a friend or family member that has experience as a handyman, then this option might be the way to go if you want to keep that wallet heavy.
This relatively cheaper route does come with a cost of course. You have to source the materials and tools needed for the build, yourself. But if this is not a problem and you are okay with putting yourself to work, then go for it. You will be involved with every step of the design and build so your house would be overflowing with your identity. Even more so than the previous option of hiring a professional.
If you care more about budget rather than design and don’t have the experience or knowledge to source the specific materials you need, consider purchasing a tiny house kit online. We touched upon this when talking about purchasing a home from Amazon.
At the end of the day, if you are willing to put in the work you will be rewarded with a tiny house on wheels and a wallet that still feels heavy in your pocket.
See Also: How to Set Up Home Services in Your New House
Conclusion
So that’s all there is to know when wondering where to buy a tiny house on wheels. Tiny houses can feel just as homely as a large house, granted you do everything right. Step into your home with a heart of joy and anticipation and not a heart filled with regret. That’s why it’s important to take enough time out for your research and groundwork.
No matter what your reasons for buying a tiny house on wheels, it can be a tedious, painfull, costly and unrewarding experience if you do not do your research thoroughly. Cover all your bases, from zoning laws to cost of transport and utilities before you make a purchase on your home. This way, you can take away most of the worry and focus on finding your forever tiny home on wheels.
Also See: Best Affordable Moving Companies | Tips For Finding Short Term Housing
