Real Talk: Tiny Homes — Are They Worth It?
Tiny homes are a great choice for those looking to live a more minimalist, eco-friendly life. And they can save you tons of money down the road too.
Downsizing your home has many appeals for the modern home buyer. It’s much more affordable, uses less energy, and is more sustainable as a result
Tiny homes, in short, are all the rage. There are tiny home reality shows, and Youtube shows, and they’re all very popular. I think most of us are fascinated by the concept. But, are tiny homes worth it?
Are tiny homes worth it?
Tiny homes are cheaper to build and cheaper to buy. Less upkeep and maintenance is also a cost-saving opportunity. Tiny homes use less electricity so that’s also another part of the savings.
But, whether tiny homes are worth it ultimately comes down to your chosen or preferred lifestyle. Those with lots of possessions will also have a hard time making a tiny home worth it, unless they’re willing to part with things they hold dear.
But done right, the minimalism and activity that living in a tiny home can force onto a person a newfound focus on things they find truly important or hobbies they want to renew or begin.
Are tiny homes a good investment?
Real estate is one of the best ways to build wealth and the rising cost of housing makes it very difficult to enter the market. Tiny homes are an easier way in!
Just read Business Insider to see the possibilities. You’ll find stories about “Tiny House Hotels” that make hundreds of thousands of dollars when listed for rent on Airbnb.
What type of person are tiny homes best for?
Couples (who don’t mind sharing a lot of time and small spaces together), small families, and solo travelers. That’s who you’ll usually find living in and loving tiny homes.
Those with more mobile tiny homes often love bringing dogs along for travels together.
Commonly, tiny homeowners share these traits:
Don’t mind less alone time
Have minimal personal belongings
Can work remotely, or their tiny home is close to work
Are outgoing and spontaneous (for tiny home travelers at least)
Alternative tiny home concepts
While most picture a tiny home on a remote mountainside lot, or just outside of town on a dirt property, many are drawn to the idea of a tiny home community.
Small, eco-friendly homes with communal buildings for socializing, cooking, and more. It’s a form of co-housing. Learn more about co-housing here.
Where to buy tiny homes
You can hire a builder to design and create one from scratch, or order a prefab tiny home kit to build your own.
We’ve added some big-box names below to give you more options, but supporting the smaller, emerging brands will do more to support your community and this lifestyle.
Local, custom builders near you
It’s a small world
A tiny home might work for you if you can imagine a minimal space with minimal costs. But, regardless of if you’re moving into a tiny home, a larger home, or an apartment, there are some other sustainable living choices you can make to get a piece of that tiny home life no matter where you live.