Living in a smaller house

[shelbylovesmelby]

Our house is already tiny 1008 sq ft & no garage (it was dilapidated, tore it down 2 yrs ago). Our il's went to a smaller house in the "big city" of a whole 600 ft, they like it cause they are minimalists & think having more than 5 of anything (pairs of socks, tops ect) is too much, than again where would they put it *LOL*

[MoneyHoney]

One more item for the "Less is More" category -http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Article2.aspx?cp-documentid=1238491&GT1=8800

Another in a series on small houses prepared by the MSN real estate section, this article highlights designers/builders including the Tumbleweed Tiny Houses Co. (mentioned by several bloggers in this forum).

Small is not for everyone. But there's a growing demand for small, affordable, quality houses. For those of us searching for that kind of home, this mini-trend is welcome indeed!

[MoneyHoney]

Try this link. (I goofed it up in the preceding post. Sorry. )

http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Art...38491&GT1=8800

[PRICEPLUS]

Great article! It really talks about some of the downside of the micro homes.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by MoneyHoney

http://realestate.msn.com/buying/Art...38491&GT1=8800

A superb article! Thank you very much for sharing!

Also, it clearly articulates the many disadvantages of a small house. However, it does amount to personal preferences, doesn't it? For example, I am not a packrat (quite the opposite), I don't throw parties, and putting a small house on a relatively large lot makes sense to me in that, besides intimacy and privacy, it could also "afford" me a nice outdoor living space. Oh yes!

Also, I don't foresee financing being a problem if only because the relatively low cost should allow me to save up for most if not all of it. No mortgage for me!

Finally, with proper planning, resale value of the lot shouldn't be too much of a problem. In a sense, it's sort of like doing things backwards, where you're building a mother-in-law type suite first before the house, rather than the other way around. If it needs to be re-sold, it would be an empty lot where a small family can stay in that suite while their main house would be built.

At least, that's how I see it anyway. While I would not mind a "normal" house, I definitely fit the profile of someone who would enjoy a tiny house.

[tinapbeana]

Originally Posted by Broken Arrow

At least, that's how I see it anyway. While I would not mind a "normal" house, I definitely fit the profile of someone who would enjoy a tiny house.

*note to self: BA is a hobbitt.... *

[Broken Arrow]

As a matter of fact, I DO like the shire.

[MonkeyMama]

Originally Posted by PRICEPLUS

Maybe another answer is to buy a condo or coop when in search of a smaller living space and skip the small house altogether!

I think that is the thing living in a pricey area, you have to pay at least $300k for the land anyway, but a condo you do not pay for as much of the land and is a much more affordable option. A better investment overall. It so depends on the area. I really enjoyed condo living personally and wouldn't be surprised if we go back to that when we retire.

BUT I was wondering if the point of the original post was more these 400 sf homes - super small. I wasn't sure if 1300 sf could really be considered "small." Interesting article...

[PRICEPLUS]

1300 is pretty small as homes go. The micro homes are a different game altogether!

[MonkeyMama]

There are a lot of homes around here in the 900 foot range actually. IT is so expensive I Would consider 1300 average.

Newly built houses are another story, but I hardly know anyone who lives in a house bigger than 1300 sf.

It is all relative!

[Gruntina]

I know apartments and condo can be average 1300 or less. I think 1300 is small for a house. I think Ironic new houses are built so large when today's people are out of the homes more due to working compared to a couple generation ago.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

When I see the newer gargantuan suburban homes, I mentally start dividing up the house into units the size of my own. Then I think, "Hmm...that house is six of my houses." Or, "Hmm...four and a half of my houses would fit into that one." Often it is, "Wow! Their garage is bigger than my whole house." And I start imagining that the big house could really be like an Italian Villa in which four or five families live, each with their own apartment. Even the roof lines are deliberately manipulated to look like a small village, or a villa that has been added onto many times over the generations. One house that aspires to look like many clumped together.

It is sort of like trying to imagine the federal deficit. My mind just can't fathom such hugeness, so I divide it up into units that I do understand.

But $50,000 for one of those Tumbleweed type homes? They remind me of KAO "Kamping Kabins." Why not just go down to Home Depot and buy a $2000 shed and outift it with plumbing & electricity?

[Gruntina]

Bigger homes are probably going to be needed in the future. Every year I see more and more young adult still living with their parents to make ends meet. In my time in MT, most of us were ready to move out of the home at age 17 or 18 if not sooner. Now, I see some people just have to live at home in the Bay Area because cost of living is so high. So maybe the bigger homes will cater to extended families or families living together longer?

This is just what I see in my area but I have no idea how it goes in other places. It seems some of the bigger homes are more often owned by diversity culture where it’s normal to live with your family in other countries. They still do that when they come here. Also I think a lot of us are not feeling confidence with the healthcare, cost and nursery home that we need a place that the aging parent can move in. I sort of see it as our society culture evolving.

[Broken Arrow]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

But $50,000 for one of those Tumbleweed type homes? They remind me of KAO "Kamping Kabins." Why not just go down to Home Depot and buy a $2000 shed and outift it with plumbing & electricity?

Heh heh. I'm checked out that already. There is a reputable builder here that specializes in sheds and small cabins. The structure itself isn't the biggest obstacle it seems. Most of the money would be sunk into plumbing and electricity, because they all have to pass city ordinance (and to pour a foundation and install a septic tank). And when you contract that type of work out, it still roughly comes out to about 50k (well, maybe less).

That's why I'm trying to schmooze up to Ima and her house building hubby.

[PRICEPLUS]

The other issue is that some areas have zoning restrictions that will not allow you to build something under a certain amount of square footage. My buddy has 25 acres in a fairly rural area and the town will not let him build under 800 sq. feet.

[JanH]

I lived in a teeny, tiny little house while in college. It belonged to my grandparents and I paid them rent. I wish I knew the square footage. I had living room smaller than my little bathroom now--only enough room for a tiny tv and a portion of a sectional couch, a little kitchen, a larger bedroom, a small "dressing" room (picture large closet) and a tiny bathroom. Oh, and a glassed in little, bitty, cute porch. It was perfect for a college kid and inexpensive. I loved the tin roof. The squirrels used to play acorn hockey for hours on it. I guess it wasn't too much bigger than a larger travel trailer is now.

[fairy74]

DH, I and two puppies live in an 800 square foot condo (1 bed/1 bath) with a medium sized semi-enclosed patio/garden, it is plenty of room. Cozy but not confining. Really it is all about layout and how decluttered you can make things. Also multi-functional furniture makes a big difference. I agree that a lot of housing here is "ego housing".

[Ima saver]

If I was young and starting all over again, I would not have collected so many "things" Now I feel like we have to live in a big house to I can have room for all the "things" I have.

[Ima saver]

I just went back and read this whole thread. There is a lot of talk about people that live in a big house.
I live in 3200 sq. ft. plus 2 car garage. I have another detached 2 card garage with bath and eff. apt.
My husband built the house and it is of very good quality. we have 22 foot ceilings in the living room, dining room, foyer and master bath. we have treyed ceilings. My husband worked night and day on this house for over a year and a half(while building other houses.
I have beautiful, huge anderson windows overlooking the 450 feet of creek we live on. The house is on 2 acres, so no one is close. I have the prettiest bath room I have ever seen, with jetted tub, 22 foot double trey ceiling and chandlier! Burgandy and white are my colors. I am very proud of my house.

What I am proudest of, is that my husband did all the work in this house completely by himself, including, plumbing, electrical, all paint and trim, all cabinets , hardwood floor and he layed all the tile.

Best of all, we built it with cash out of our pocket for about $200,000. There is nothing wrong with owning a big house you can afford!

[PRICEPLUS]

Julie, there is nothing worng with owning a large house if you so desire. It is just personal choices we make for whatever reasons we make them! It is all personal choices. Your choices are as good and valid as anyone elses!