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What Are Your Thoughts On The "Tiny House" Movement As A Homeowner?

By John DL Arendsen

Real Estate Broker/Owner with CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments 521400, 1501015, 01795582

December 03, 2016 09:46 AM

What Are Your Thoughts On The "Tiny House" Movement As A Homeowner?

As a Manufactured Housing Specialist, general contractor and real estate broker and developer I look at the Tiny House movement as a positive step in housing overall in specific segments i.e. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU's) aka "Granny Flats", etc.

There is a need for housing an aging and downsizing "Baby Boom" population as well as a young and fledgling "Millennial"population that has been far removed from home ownership to a great extent.

I'm not referring to the under 100sf "Tiny House On Wheels"movement. I think that niche has a rocky road ahead for a lot of obvious reasons i.e. zoning and building restrictions, land availability and affordability, infrastructure costs that will offset and nix overall development costs thereby making far less affordable.

Moreover, I'm referring to the, designed to suit the existing architectural and esthetically complientary, 450sf to 1400sf foundation built and permanently installed structures be they site built or delivered from a factory fully assembled and set up and installed or penalized and assembled on site addition?

I know this for a fact because we are currently designing and constructing these property value increasing structures in San Diego County and they are being received with open arms in areas where it is feasible to accommodate them.

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Steffy Hristova

HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ

Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

I think they are very desirable. I would like to have my home office in a separate structure from my residence, where we eat, relax and sleep. Just for the feeling that I am walking to my office. :)

Dec 03, 2016 10:34 AM

Kasey & John Boles

Boise, ID
John DL Arendsen

Leucadia, CA

John DL Arendsen

A lot of folks are doing just that Steffy Hristova including moi. You're absolutely right. It does give you a sense of freedom. But only if you leave all your devices in it when you lock it up.

Dec 03, 2016 11:30 AM

Chris Ann Cleland

Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA

Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I don't get the tiny house movement at all. I need some space. Not all that organized or neat.

Dec 03, 2016 10:49 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC
John DL Arendsen

Leucadia, CA

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Obviously you haven't really seen the ones I'm describing in this post and showing in the photos Chris Ann Cleland I've built several and have a couple of my own and they are all very neat and well organized.

Dec 03, 2016 11:32 AM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I'm with Chris Ann Cleland -- don't quite get the idea of so little space. Here in Charlotte I can't remember anyone even raising the topic of tiny houses (yet).

Dec 03, 2016 03:05 PM

Chris Ann Cleland

Gainesville, VA
John DL Arendsen

Leucadia, CA

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

John - I have been interested in the Tiny House movement since I first became aware of it about 9 years ago. I've always thought if the big one hit and wiped me out, the tiny home direction would be the way I would go! I always thought it would be neat to join up with the Renaissance Festival folks and travel around from place to place with them, with my tiny home on wheels.

Many in the younger generation (millennials) aren't as materialistic, or into consumerism as our old farts are. They seem to be embracing the tiny home movement more. That may change however, if they can shed some student debt, and see a raise in their wages.

Dec 03, 2016 04:49 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS John, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!

Dec 03, 2016 04:52 PM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

That's a hoot Myrl Jeffcoat I don't think you have too much to worry about regarding the big one, however, Sacramento has one of the lowest seismic zones in Cali. I think most places in and around your neck of the woods are in a zone 1-3 seismic area out of 5 zones 1 being the lowest and 5 the highest risk factor. Thank you so much once again for featuring my post. I really appreciate it.

Dec 03, 2016 05:18 PM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

A lot depends on the geographical area you're in and the zoning and building regs. In Cali it's becoming big biz Nina Hollander

Dec 03, 2016 05:20 PM

Nina Hollander, Broker

Charlotte, NC

Nina Hollander, Broker

Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC

Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

John, you make a good point, especially when you consider the cost of land and housing in many parts of California.

Dec 04, 2016 03:11 AM

Larry Johnston

Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN

Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

Hi John DL Arendsen , I think the jury is still out when it comes to tiny houses. People have a tendency to collect things, so they need room for them. You know, like computers, TVs, stereos and even exercise equipment along with many other personal favorites. What about the family pets? They need room too!

Dec 07, 2016 08:21 PM

Kasey & John Boles

Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC - BoiseMeridianRealEstate.com - Boise, ID

Boise & Meridian, ID Ada/Canyon/Gem/Boise Counties

I love tiny houses. I think the movement is cool. My house is entirely too large. However, I would love a tiny house but on a huge lot in the middle of nowhere. -Kasey

Feb 13, 2017 10:54 PM

John DL Arendsen

Leucadia, CA

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

You and lot's of other folks Kasey & John Boles and the team at Jon Gosche Real Estate, LLC Could be happening sooner than you think.

Feb 14, 2017 08:04 AM

John DL Arendsen

CREST "BACKYARD' HOMES, ON THE LEVEL General & Manufactured Home Contractor, TAG Real Estate Sales & Investments - Leucadia, CA

Crest Backyard Homes "ADU" dealer & RE Developer

Very well stated Christopher James Acclamating one's self to new surroundings is always going to be somewhat challenging, however, we are unique creatures and adapt eaisly to neo environs when we really put our midnt to it.

May 30, 2017 06:45 AM