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Discussion in 'Creative Arts' started by LMPDesigner, Apr 9, 2013.

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  1. LMPDesigner

    LMPDesigner F1 Rookie

    Nov 5, 2003
    3,208
    Atlanta Georgia
    #1 LMPDesigner, Apr 9, 2013
    I have been getting more and more interested in the Microhome style of homes as of late. These are really tiny homes of 350-600 square feet. And they are real homes!

    I think it would be neat to have a central "normal" home of reasonable size. Really more a place to keep my junk. Mostly cars and books and furniture.

    Then have 2-3 microhomes around the country. As these homes cost between 40 and 80K each (plus land) there is a better chance I could have a couple places in different areas of the country. One in the mountains and one near the ocean. By doing a microhome I figure the carry cost should drop proportionally to their size. And then travel from one place to another as weather/desire dictates.

    The main issue I see is in zoning and land. Not sure how reasonable it is to expect to buy a really small chunk of land for these houses. You would only need a tiny bit of land. 1/10 to 1/20 of an acre? Not sure where you could find that.

    Also I imagine that a lot of places that would be neat to live in/near would have towns that have minimum property sizes for homes. And that would make the cost benefits of a tiny home unrealistic. Why buy a 1/4 acre plot for a house 25 X 12 ft in size?

    Does anybody have any experience with this?
     
  2. Texas Forever

    Texas Forever Eight Time F1 World Champ
    BANNED Rossa Subscribed

    Apr 28, 2003
    85,600
    Texas!
    #2 Texas Forever, Apr 9, 2013
    I have seen some really cool stuff done with asynchronous attached housing, i.e, a mix of different size units in one building. But it is very difficult to make the numbers work when you put one tiny house on one building lot.

    And if you go out in the country, the marginal cost of going from 750 to 1500 square feet is almost zero. So why not build a little more room to chase you honey around in? :)

    Dale
     
  3. kevfla

    kevfla Formula 3

    Nov 20, 2003
    2,086
    Full Name:
    gone 4 good
    #3 kevfla, Apr 9, 2013
    If you want to experience micro-living, rent a hotel room for a month!

    Seriously though, this idea or concept is the opposite of an "over-improvement." It's an "under-improvement." Thoughts like this are why cities and counties have zoning regulations. Let's say hypothetically, you built a 400sf dwelling on a street of predominantly 1500sf to 2000sf homes. You would hurt their market value a little more so than their larger houses would pull-up your value.

    It's a noble idea to lessen your carbon footprints, but not at the expense of those living around you. Key word is "idea," because in reality, you won't be allowed to build something that small in most jurisdictions.

    KevFla (a state-certified residential appraiser for the past 22 years)
     
  4. alfas

    alfas Formula Junior

    Sep 17, 2009
    639
    chicago
    #4 alfas, Apr 9, 2013
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2013
    It's a more responsible idea to do what you want and where you want per the rules/regs, your own finances, proclivities, etc.... so what if you build 400s.f in a regular neighborhood. Where is the problem in reality and how if well designed would it be "at the expense" of those around you. I'll take well designed 400/500 s.f. home vs. 5k s.f. mcmansion every day and twice on sunday.

    Say if built the market price would be proportional and if the next buyer liked it you call it good and move in and if you don't as the new buyer you pay to expand it because you liked the area or whatever it was that drew you to the property.

    We're not talking about backing in a trailer and calling it done in the midst of "larger" houses.

    Maybe jurisdictions need to place more value in good design as opposed to a base s.f. number that everybody must adhere to.

    And to the OP's point, the idea to have a few smaller homes around the country to enjoy at your leisure and reduced cost certainly has an appeal not only because of a reduced "carbon footprint".
     

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