A teeny, teeny house...

[FrugalFish]

I lived in a 700 sq ft house for a little better than 4 years. We were 2 people, a big dog, and 2 cats in that space--- but really, how much space can a single body occupy at any moment in time, hmmm? It was not bad- low maintenance, low heating and cooling costs.

That one looks like it has a nice sized kitchen, as did ours. I think that made a big difference for me in feeling like home. A house with a decent kitchen feels like a home, even if you don't cook a whole lot.

In the 4 years we spent there, the only major complaint I had was having only 1 bathroom and 2 occupants. Not an issue until both people find themselves violently ill at the same time. If you plan to live alone, then that won't ever be an issue

When DH and I were house hunting, it seemed like everyone would tell us we would "just know" when we found the right house. It was anything but that! We worked more from a list of priorities... had to be under a certain dollar amount, location was very important, a decent sized yard was important, and the layout of the house had to flow. When we found the house we ultimately bought, it was a mess, but broken down on paper, it was everything we were looking for (though requiring a lot of elbow grease). We changed what we could change in exchange for what we couldn't- like location and lot size.

Good luck!!

[ScrimpAndSave]

I can't thank you all enough for helping me out and giving me your opinions. I know that I am driving you all a little batty with my house shopping - but I don't have a lot of friends in real life to help me out with this.

Also, I am absolutely capable of choosing and buying a house on my own - but I love to hear other people's opinions.

I made an appointment to see this house tomorrow night. My dad is upset with me because he keeps saying, "It is too small! You are wasting your time and the realtor's time! I told you that you just have to wait for the right house to show up!". He thinks I will never be able to sell it and will be stuck there "for 3 years"...well, I was hoping to stay there much longer than that actually.

Well, I can find a nicer house for $180,000-$200,000...but you know what? Buying for around $150,000 leaves me with a miniscule mortgage and a little dollhouse that I can dress up. And although it is small - I think it is large enough to have someone else move in someday if I do end up in a relationship...

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I could not see indication of whether there is a basement. A basement can make a small place feel much bigger as you can store rarely used items down there. The closets are likely tiny. If you can put out of season clothing in the basement that will help. Large kitchen items, large hobby items, many tools, seasonal items and even cleaning supplies used weekly can be stored in a basement.

One "big" thing to think of is fitting in furniture. Today's furniture is huge compared to how much of it was made back when this house was built. I (small house owner) do much better buying my furniture from the "nearly antique" stores. It is fun to pick out furniture that is now unique in the market, and we have taken our time doing it, extending the pleasure of the search and acquisition foryears.

Hey, do I see a fence gate opening into the yard next door? If so, that probably means someone has been a very good neighbor--maybe even family to whomever lived in this house. If you find yourself really interested in the house, you might knock on their door and see if there is anything they'd like to tell you....I mean, if they have a gate between yards...

[ActYourWage]

I agree with your dad, it is too small. You have been suffering from the bug that gave you house fever for a LONG time now. It is great to have a place of your own, but the new will run out just like anything else. Better to wait for the right one.

[ScrimpAndSave]

Joan,

This house does not have a basement. I am not sure about the fence thing...I will be sure to check it out tonight! I am thinking that if I can get the house in the lower $140's with sellers assist - it will be worth the buy (if I really love the interior of the home). I know you mentioned that you have a small house...may I ask how many square feet it is? I love the fact that a smaller home is more economical...

[fruitbowlk]

Small but cute.

[Ima saver]

I think the biggest drawback is the one bathroom. Is there any way another bathroom (even powder room) can be added on?

[ScrimpAndSave]

Ima saver,

This is what I think too. I am going to check out the house around 5:30pm tonight and will find out...

[Ima saver]

My mother had a one bath house. She was able to add a toilet and sink to one of the bedrooms and it helped a lot.

[guppy]

Hey neighbor! I live in Allentown - what a small world! I think the house is really cute. If you don't have any plans of ever having children, why on earth do you need a huge house?! I just don't understand why people have an issue with the size. 700ish square feet is more than enough for one person. And if you get married you can reevaluate the situation then to see if he'd like to move in with you, or maybe at that point you look for another place together.

I live in a 1250 sq ft home (3 br, 1 bath) with my husband and two insane cats. To be honest, I haven't really had an issue with only one bathroom, even though everyone warned me about that. My husband and I get up at two different times for work so its never been a problem. Both our families were horrified at the thought of climbing stairs to go to the bathroom - oh well, more exercise!

[ScrimpAndSave]

Yeah I am wondering if the bedrooms are so tiny that I can't put a half bath in there...that is definitely what I would like to do if I can.

[PetMom]

I personally have come to love a smaller home.

It really does have smaller heating/cooling costs, less repair costs (less amount of repair material - eg wood floors), less cleaning costs and quicker to clean and a lower tax base for taxes and even less insurance costs.
You also can purchase the best furniture possible because you need less of it.

It is such a cute house and think of the landscaping you could do - also maybe an outdoor room - a nice overhead lattice roof and little deck with vines/roses for privacy and an outdoor grill and some patio furniture - you got a whole outdoor room in your backyard.

We also purchased an outdoor storage shed (looks like a little barn) painted to match the house which gives us plenty of storage. This quickly paid for itself as we have never resorted to paid storage.

You can't tell if you will like it until you go there and go inside and get the true feel of the house's personality and if it is right for you.

[Troyrb]

My significant other and I lived in a 800 Sq Ft house for five years. We lived in a beautiful little town north of Pittsburgh. The house prices there a very low but the houses are still nice. It was 2 bedrooms and 2 baths. No basement but it did have a attic with decent storage there. We had one med. size dog and two cats in the house and it didn't seem that crowded. I bought the house for $25,000 and put $6,000 in updates in it. We ended up selling it for $55,000 two years ago. We moved into a 1800 sq ft house from there. The main reason for us moving was wanting to be closer to work. I will say that even thou we were happy in the small house we did crave something larger after five years of being in that small of a house. Like other have said. I have no idea if you would like the house in 5 to 10 years down the road but it is defiantly do-able for two people and pets in live in that small of a house and still be happy.

[ScrimpAndSave]

I went to see the house yesterday and while it is very nice, it needs a new roof and it also needs to be completely resided. It also has no room for a kitchen table anywhere (even a tiny bistro one...I would have to put a tiny part of the family room up against a wall). Other than that, the floorplan is nice - but I think that would get on my nerves too much...nexxtttt.

[Ima saver]

Keep looking, you will find something!