Maybe you've heard of the tiny house trend from a friend, or perhaps you've seen the television shows: Tiny House Hunters, Tiny House Nation, Tiny House Builders, Tiny House, Big Living, and more. Maybe you're just hearing of this unique movement in the real estate industry.
What is the Tiny House Movement?
The tiny house movement is an architectural and social movement that promotes living simply in smaller-than-average homes. There isn't a set definition as to what constitutes a tiny house, but it is generally accepted that any home under 1,000 square feet is considered a small home, while any home less than 400 square feet is considered a tiny home.
In 1950, the average size of a new single family home was 983 square feet. Home sizes have been growing since then, with the average size of a new single family home being reported at 2,662 square feet in 2013. It's no wonder many people are perplexed by the growing popularity of the tiny house movement. We did some research and found out the driving forces behind the tiny house trend.
In 1950, the average size of a new single family home was 983 square feet. Home sizes have been growing since then, with the average size of a new single family home being reported at 2,662 square feet in 2013. It's no wonder many people are perplexed by the growing popularity of the tiny house movement. We did some research and found out the driving forces behind the tiny house trend.
Financial Demand
It should come as no surprise that a tiny house has a smaller price tag than a mansion. The money saved on one's mortgage can be used for other purposes. According to the Huffington Post, a tiny house usually costs homebuyers $20,000 to $50,000.
Not only are tiny homes generally less expensive, taxes, building costs, heating, maintenance, and repair costs are also lower the smaller a home is.
Not only are tiny homes generally less expensive, taxes, building costs, heating, maintenance, and repair costs are also lower the smaller a home is.
Simple Living
Some tiny home owners report that they chose their new abode in order to live a more simple life. Less clutter, minimalism, self-sufficiency, financial freedom, and reduced consumption are all appealing to those looking to downsize to a tiny house.
Environmental Impact
Homeowners are also flocking to tiny houses due to the smaller impact on the environment. The carbon footprint of a tiny house is noticeably smaller than the average home today. Because buildings cause an estimated 1/3 of greenhouse gasses, having a tiny home will dramatically reduce this number.
Some tiny houses are built with reclaimed or recycled materials, and utilize energy efficient tools such as solar panels and rain water gathering, which are also great for the environment.
Some tiny houses are built with reclaimed or recycled materials, and utilize energy efficient tools such as solar panels and rain water gathering, which are also great for the environment.
Travel
Quite a few tiny housess can be hitched to a truck and moved to a new location. Homeowners find this appealing and enjoy the fact that they can bring their home with them whenever and wherever they want to travel.
The Future of Tiny Houses
What does the future of the tiny house movement look like? It seems like this trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon. With new television shows cropping up each season, businesses offering customized tiny homes, and some companies putting plans into motion to build tiny home developments, we can expect to see more tiny houses in the future.
