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IT’S more difficult than ever these days to get a foot on the property ladder and saving for a deposit can take an age.
So this tiny home from Amazon is a welcome addition to any would-be homeowner’s options.
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It’s on sale for just $9,599 and is ideal as a permanent residence, holiday home or guest house.
Plus, it’s affordable so buyers won’t need a mortgage to move in.
The contemporary cabin-style house is customizable and at its most basic comes with a living room, bedroom and bathroom.
Opt for a larger size – it’s available as 20, 30 and 40ft versions – and you could have an open-plan living and dining space, three bedrooms and a bathroom.
A minimalist exterior opens through double doors to an open-plan space that can be designed to your wishes.
Ample windows across each side of the building create an airy feel – and whatever way you configure the interior rooms, they will all benefit from natural daylight.
The tiny home is ready to move into, with a functional kitchen and modern bathroom.
Wooden floors add to the clean aesthetic, while aluminium windows keep out cold and draughts, enhancing the contemporary vibe.
Built to withstand different climates, the prefab is robust and constructed with weather-resistant materials, fireproof board and sandwich panels.
According to the manufacturer the house offers “all the comforts of a traditional home in a smaller, more efficient package, making it perfect for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint”.
They say it is: “Super easy and fast to install”, even without a crane, adding that it would take a team of six just one hour to assemble.
They also state it can be easily relocated, thanks to its portable design, so if you decide to move you can move your house with you.
HOME OR HOLIDAY HOME
As well as being perfect as a first home or as an answer for homeowners looking to downsize, the house could provide extra accommodation for guests or grown-up kids, especially if you have a large yard in which to locate it.
Alternatively it would make a great weekend getaway for owners and for landlords looking for holiday rentals, depending of course on where the building is situated.
What is a tiny home?
Technically, a tiny home is any house measuring under 400 square feet.
Many tiny homes are built on trailers so they can be towed anywhere, and some are converted from old school buses or vans.
Each state has its own rules about tiny homes, but, generally, they are not subject to the same taxes as regular homes.
However, Alaska, Iowa, Louisiana, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, and West Virginia have made tiny homes illegal as permanent dwellings.
Tiny homes are becoming increasingly popular as Americans look for alternatives to expensive housing costs.
Some states – such as Florida, Georgia, Texans, Minnesota, California and North Carolina – welcome them, however that’s not the case everywhere.
In some places, including Iowa, New Jersey, New York and Louisiana permanent tiny homes are illegal.
There’s more than 10,000 such homes in the US and the fact they are so affordable, costing a fraction of the price of traditional dwellings, means they’re likely here to stay.
They’re a great solution for people wanting a more sustainable way of life – they’re usually smaller and generally well insulated, so utility costs are less.
Incorporating recycled materials into the customization of the buildings could also make them more environmentally friendly.
One couple moved from their 3,000 square-foot home into a tiny home in Virginia Beach then built a tiny home village.
Meanwhile, two brothers built their tiny home for just $6,000, saving money by doing all of the work themselves.
