The Tiny House Movement

by Mark Bingaman Social Media Expert w/ the Indy Real Estate Experts It's as much a social movement as an architectural trend and one driven by both economics and philosophy. The tiny house movement (also referred to as the small house movement) has grown significantly over the past several years as those who advocate “simpler living” purchase or build extraordinarily small living spaces that – although tiny – perfectly mimic a home of traditional size. The term small houses refers to a home measuring between 400 and 1,000 square feet, with a “tiny” house normally described as that of less than 400 square feet. The phenomenon seems to attract consumers on several different levels. First, of course, is the low cost of such dwellings. The movement began to pick up steam following the Great Recession of 2008 as people became both disenfranchised and bitter toward the housing market and system and – due to foreclosures, etc. - needed more affordable housing. The price point varies dramatically, with builders of tiny houses selling them for anywhere from $10,000 to $50,000. However, part of the attraction for many people is the opportunity to build the house themselves, a desire that both saves money and quenches their thirst to embark on a “back to basics” or “grass roots” lifestyle. In short, it's about making something of their own and living simply. All Demographics That thirst is why the tiny house movement is more than an economic need. It's also borne of the desire to return to a minimalist way of living, an approach that appeals to a wide variety of demographics. Baby boomers, senior citizens, generation X, and millennials are equally drawn to tiny houses. While the trend toward “granny flats” (smaller living spaces built or remodeled on property for the purpose of housing an elder family member) can – in some cases – be part of the tiny houses movement they are NOT one and the same. Some people will indeed purchase or build tiny houses for the purpose of housing an older loved one, but tiny houses are just as likely to be used for living space for any age or type of individual. Part of the appeal is that while some tiny houses are constructed as permanent structures on specific parcels of land, many of the abodes are built atop wheels and serve as a sort of new breed of RV. Business or Development Ideas The tiny house movement offers some inventive ways for landowners to capitalize on the trend. A company or individual could put together a plan to offer a permanent tiny house development in any type of space, be it rural, suburban, or urban. Another could provide a sort of RV park for the more mobile, less temporary sort of tiny houses and consumers. Of course, there are zoning restrictions that come into play in most any scenario, and a good number of local communities have yet to address the specifics of “what to do” when someone wants to build a tiny house in their community. Whether you're selling property on LandHub.com or scanning through our pages for property to buy, if the tiny house movement appeals to you, we're sure you'll find an ideal way to make tiny houses a part of your dreams! PBS Story Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl58kpKLsFk   The Economist - Very Little House on the Prairie Technology Fox News High-tech meets low-tech in tiny house movement