Tiny Homes & Vacant Land
Tiny homes have grown in popularity over the years and have become a dream for many. There are television shows dedicated to showing off these tiny spaces with creative storage solutions and beautiful decor. On social media you can easily find gorgeous images of the interior and exterior of these little houses and even DIY instructions teaching you how to build your own tiny home.
In this article we’re going to look at why someone might want to ditch traditional housing and instead move into a tiny home, including cost, environmental impact, reduced clutter and the ability to move your home. We’ll also look at what potential challenges you might run into when trying to find land for your tiny home.
The average tiny home is much smaller than the average American home, which is about 2,600 square feet. In fact, the average tiny home ranges between 100 and 400 square feet—and some people even make them as small as 60 square feet. In terms of cost, they're inexpensive compared to other homes. Tiny houses generally cost between $30,000 and $60,000 depending on the size and amenities that you want. In 2022, the average traditional home in the United States was about $348,000.
It's also possible to save money on utilities by having fewer square feet to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The average American household spends about $3,000 per year on electricity alone! A tiny house could help reduce this expense significantly.
Tiny houses are the perfect way to reduce your carbon footprint, water usage and energy consumption. Because tiny homes use less materials and space for their construction, there are fewer resources needed to build them as well.
A tiny house is a great choice for people who want to simplify their lives and reduce the amount of physical stuff they own. It can be easier to find the time to do things you enjoy when you don't have all that extra stuff getting in your way. With less money going toward rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and physical items, you may be able to work less and free up time that could be spent doing other things you enjoy.
It is very common for a tiny home to be built on a trailer, essentially making your home mobile. This opens up the opportunity to easily move your home, allowing you to live in your ideal location. While some people will park their tiny home at designated tiny home or RV parks or even in a friend or family members’ driveway, others will want to place their home on their own property.
If you’re looking to buy land for your tiny home, check out our Free Ultimate Guide to Buying Land.
While the thought of owning a tiny home may sound amazing, there are a few things you should know - especially when it comes to purchasing a piece of land specifically for this reason. Among other things, there is a common misconception when buying your own land: being able to do whatever you want with your property. For most of the country, that's actually not the case at all. There are rules and regulations that vary greatly from one county to the next - and it's important to know what they are before you buy land.
Here are a few tiny home challenges when it comes to land:
Zoning Laws:
Minimum building size. For example, a county may require a 400 square feet minimum home size-- tiny home may not meet the minimum building size
Counties often classify tiny homes as RV's, since they are often on wheels/transportable. In many cases, the lot must be specifically zoned for mobile homes or RV's in order to allow this type of structure.
Each county throughout the United States varies in their handling of tiny homes. You'll have to navigate through zoning and other issues with each county you are researching.
To understand Zoning a little more, grab our Free Guide to Zoning.
Utilities:
If you're able to find a piece of land in the area you desire that will allow you to place your tiny home, your next step is to think through the utilities you will require. Each county will also have their own rules and requirements regarding the methods allowed.