Sell 90% of your belongings, keep only the necessities. Move to the country, buy a plot of land that makes you smile. Live simply, and sustainably.
If you’re like a lot of people right now, the urge to move off grid into a tiny home has been growing. Inflation is at an all-time high, and homes are getting more expensive as the days go by. Tiny house living can offer the simplicity and flexibility many people are looking for during these crazy times.
Do you swoon over the idea of not having a mortgage? Financing a tiny house could be your best move!
What is a tiny house?
The technical qualification of a tiny house is classified as a dwelling that does not exceed 400 sq. ft. of floor area. When you start looking into tiny houses, you’ll come across a plethora of different kinds. There are ones on wheels, on foundations, converted busses and vans, shipping containers, or even sheds you can buy from Home Depot. The possibilities are endless, and the ingenuity is top notch.
What is the tiny house movement about?
Living tiny is all about living with less material goods. Today’s large companies, and industries have been harnessing the great power of influence for centuries. They have been exploiting the population into believing in luxury like it’s a necessity. The tiny house movement is comprised of people that are tired of the stress of having too much, the ones that want financial freedom, and those who are choosing to be more conscious and intentional in their choices and how they impact the earth around them.
Can I live anywhere in a tiny house?
One of the great aspects of a tiny home is the ability to roam. 90% of the time, tiny homes are designed to move with you. This is especially attractive to those who hate packing up to move from house to house. Most campgrounds are generally welcoming to tiny travelers on a short-term basis, but if you’re wanting to settle on a piece of land to call your own, there are a few things to take into consideration. Unfortunately, not all states are cool with the idea of tiny houses. Someone that’s able to live practically self-sufficiently is a threat to the pocketbooks of civil planners and utility companies. The common excuse of many municipalities is the efficacy of tiny house safety. It’s super important to do research in your specific area before you make any big purchases of land or break ground on your tiny. The states where you will have the most luck are as follows:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Washington
This all sounds great, but what does it cost?
If you’re lucky to live in a rad state that’s more relaxed with tiny rules and building regulations, and you want to tackle a build without the help of a tiny builder, you could be looking at only a few thousand dollars. Your material choices and the prices of those said materials in your area can vary the final building price greatly. Even if your state is more relaxed, there are still regulations and building guidelines you will need to follow, so it’s highly recommended that you seek the help or advice of a professional. Realistically, most people end up spending between $30,000 – $60,000 in total. When was the last time you saw a traditional house going for that?
I don’t have tens of thousands of dollars. Can I still live tiny?
YES! As with any big purchase though, you will want to have some sort of savings ready to go. Luckily, most builders offer financing with very little down. Some companies, such as Mondo Homz, allow you to choose your style and design your new tiny which they will then build and sell to you via their rent-to-own program. Instead of paying off a mortgage loan over the course of 25-30 years, you could completely pay off a tiny home in under half that!
Though living tiny isn’t for everyone, it’s a great alternative to buying or renting-to-own a traditional home. You’ll gain the freedom to pick up and go where ever you need to, but most importantly, you’ll learn how much you can gain by living with less.
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