The Tiny Home Trend

The Tiny Home Trend

I posted a link on my facebook page yesterday, and it attracted a bit of interest:  The Tiny Home Trend, so I thought I'd share it here.  Our local TV station in Portland, WCSH6's evening news magazine, "207" (named for the only telephone area code in the state) aired a segment on the Tiny Home Trend here in Maine.

Tiny Homes in Maine make so much sense - - in terms of energy savings, if nothing else!  The "207" story tells about 2 Mainers - one, an artist, who lives in a 400 sf home and the other, a builder of Tiny Homes who lives in something like 950 sf.  Be sure to check out the video in the link - - I don't know that I could live in 400 sf, but the 950 sf is quite appealing. 

The idea behind Tiny Homes isn't to rough it; it is to live comfortably, but more simply.

And then, this morning, I read another story on what the Gen Y group wants in their homes and it really feeds right into the Tiny Home Trend.  The Millennials, apparently, don't want their parents' McMansions - - they want to be in or near cities, where things are walkable, there is public transportation, and they are able to live without cars. Owning alot of their own space isn't attractive - they prefer buildings or developments with common rooms to host get-togethers, or to be near enough to watering holes, restaurants and other places to gather with friends.  They want a bit of the outdoors - maybe enough room to put a grill, but don't want grass to mow.  Less to clean, less to maintain, and "green."  This generation is happy living in a space that is the size of their parents' great rooms! 

Thinking back on what my clients bought and sold last year in light of this information, my Gen Y buyers did tend to look at smaller homes - part of this was driven by price of course, but there was only one single male buyer that definitely wanted to be able to walk to work - the young couples still wanted the larger suburban yards.  

Interestingly, I had a large, 5 bedroom home on the market and it wasn't bought by a family, but by a non-profit to be used as a group home.  And, it seems my Boomer Buyers still desired larger living space and a good-sized yard.  Even though they may be just one or two in their family, they wanted space to entertain at home, room (and bathrooms) sufficient to house visitors, and having space for grandchildren to play was also important. 

Interesting.  In-town Bath and Brunswick have neighborhoods, where our older (1800's - early 1900's) homes are smaller, more tightly packed on postage stamp size lots - many without garages because cars weren't invented yet when they were built.  You can walk to the downtown and shop for just about anything you need, have lunch or dinner, or see a movie - is this a back to the future type phenom?  

Whether you are looking for a Tiny Home or something a bit larger, I can help you find what you need!