Tiny homes have stormed all over Pinterest, Instagram, and other social media sites. Consumers were intrigued by the mobility of tiny homes, and the super-trendy features for downsizing seemed attractive at the time. While tiny homes seemed trendy, they actually account for only 1% of new builds across America – for very good reason. Spurred on by the trend of minimalism, many people began to gravitate toward this style of home, only to discover that tiny is not the right fit for their family and not just because of the size. What were some of the mistakes they found?
Durability.
Many tiny homeowners were shocked to discover that they had basically invested in an RV. Because of the lack of craftsmanship and low-quality materials, essentially being on a hitch with wheels, tiny homes created a new dwelling category that became very difficult to insure. Is it a vehicle? Is it a glorified trailer? Tiny homes landed in a legal category that made insurance difficult. Any sort of weather-related damage could cause a tiny home to be declared “totaled” – that’s right, just like a car.
Resale value.
Because of the aforementioned durability issues, tiny homeowners were distressed to find that the resale value of the space they had called “home” for several years was actually dropping in value. Much like selling a used car, tiny homeowners rarely got back what they put into the place, much less made a profit. While tiny homes looked affordable on the surface, with some being as cheap as $15,000 (exclusive of land), using actual quality materials could drive the price as high as $100,000.
Too tiny.
Sometimes tiny is just too tiny, and with most tiny homes under 400 feet, even with clever storage options, it just often isn’t enough to accommodate the modern family. When space becomes tight, a tiny home offers minimal options for upgrading. Instead, many homeowners found they simply had to forego their stuff.
Because of the experiences many tiny homeowners were reporting, people began to despair of finding an environmentally friendly yet high-quality small home buying experience that remained affordable to the average home buyer. If you are looking for a minimalist experience that is high on style without sacrificing or falling prey to any of the tiny home traps, then a small model home may be just what you’re looking for.
High-quality craftsmanship.
Let’s face it; homes are meant to last for generations. Small model homes offer many of the same features as full-sized homes, using quality materials that do not deteriorate in a generation. This kind of quality is responsible for making small homes the fastest growing type of resale on the market with the most significant profit margins. Small homes are a true investment.
Additional customization.
Owning a small model home offers endless customization opportunities for a growing family. If you need to renovate, costs are a fraction of what they would be with a larger home and can be recouped at the sale, unlike a tiny home. Small homes are highly energy-efficient and easy to repurpose for unforeseen needs.
Adequate space.
While smaller homes average around 1,000 square feet versus the tiny home’s 400 square feet or less, the size difference allows for features most families find critical – like a generous bathroom and a fully functional kitchen. These types of quality-of-life features are easy to appreciate once you have been deprived of the space. “Micro-living” is not for the faint of heart.
Small homes offer all the advantages of a tiny home – lower utility bills, less clutter – but with enough square footage to accommodate your unique living needs. Sustainability with no compromises gives small homes the best of both worlds.
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