So, why should I go tiny?
Everyone has a different reason for going tiny. Some people are looking to save money, others to travel, and others to simply have a small retreat for a weekend...and that's just the beginning. While you may think you know all of the options - and opportunities - afforded to you as a future tiny home owner, we wanted to spell out the main ways we have seen people use this movement to their advantage. It is absolutely amazing what can be done with a little bit of creativity, belief, and the right team. At MTL, we are able to make any of the following dreams come true for you, each at a variety of different price points depending upon your needs, wishes, and of course, budget. That's the beauty of working with a custom design Tiny Home builder...we can spec out your tiny home however you wish!
Here are some of the various ways and reasons people go tiny!
Here are some of the various ways and reasons people go tiny!
#1 - Minimize Your Life To Maximize Your Life
The first reason people love to go tiny is that it truly is a minimalist way to live your life. Many people are starting to reject the "keeping up with the joneses" philosophy of living. The average person keeps trying to go bigger and bigger with everything in their lives - their cars, their homes, and their material possessions. As a result, they are stretching their budgets, their work lives, and their (lack of) time to the max. They are sacrificing experiences with their families or themselves for bigger, bigger, bigger. A new generation of people - both young and old - are starting to see the value in minimizing their lives to maximize their experiences and freedom. This leads to our next reason...
#2 - Save Money - Downsize, but not Downgrade
Most people know that renting an apartment or home is as good as flushing money down the toilet. While we are all grateful for the opportunity to rent, it truly is paying off someone else's mortgage while we get nothing in return over the long term. Where renting can easily cost over $1500/mo (or much, much more), a simply tiny home loan can cost as low as $300-400/month. Imagine what an extra $1000/month does for the average new college graduate, the retiree, or the individual living on a budget? Not only that, but when you own a tiny home you are paying off an asset that you can keep the rest of your life!
If you're a young adult just getting started, that extra $1000 per month can go into an investment account. Even if you live tiny for only 5 years, that's $60,000 saved for your future! If you earn a standard 6% per year on that money, in 40 years you will have over $600,000 saved for your retirement. It is amazing how today's decisions can affect our freedom and lifestyle tomorrow.
The great thing about downsizing with Modern Tiny Living is that it doesn't mean you are downgrading. We can custom build a home that fits your exact specifications, and more often than not, we use better quality materials and appliances that are presently being used in most homes and rentals!
If you're a young adult just getting started, that extra $1000 per month can go into an investment account. Even if you live tiny for only 5 years, that's $60,000 saved for your future! If you earn a standard 6% per year on that money, in 40 years you will have over $600,000 saved for your retirement. It is amazing how today's decisions can affect our freedom and lifestyle tomorrow.
The great thing about downsizing with Modern Tiny Living is that it doesn't mean you are downgrading. We can custom build a home that fits your exact specifications, and more often than not, we use better quality materials and appliances that are presently being used in most homes and rentals!
#3 - Travel & Mobility
A THOW (Tiny Home on Wheels) is the perfect companion for the wanderer in you. Many people love to buy tiny homes on wheels because it gives them the ability to park anywhere an RV is accepted (and in many other locations - which we can help you find). In our modern working environment, many more people are being given the ability to work remotely, and with a tiny home, your working location can change month by month! We know people who worked high up in the mountains of Colorado one month, and on the beach the next month! You are truly the architect of your own life when you make your home a tiny home on wheels.
#4 - Extra Bedroom
Many people would love to have an extra bedroom in their house, but don't have the money or desire to make an addition. Even if someone does, very often they will never get their money out of the investment when they sell the home. A tiny home is the ideal extra bedroom to place on your property, whether it's on a cement slab or wheels. (We prefer wheels because then you'll always have your extra bedroom wherever you may go!)
#5 - Home Away From Home
The vast majority of tiny home owners are regular people with regular jobs...but with a little bit of an itch for adventure. Most people would love to have a retreat, a summer home, or another location where they can "get off the grid" and have some private time alone, with friends, or with family. Buying a full size home as a second property can be very expensive, but placing a tiny home on a small parcel of land is a far more cost-effective and immediately achievable endeavor. We have many friends that searched for their dream land, purchased it, and put a small tiny home on the land to enjoy it until they can build a big(ger) future dream home. Afterwards, they'll reserve their tiny home as a guest house or office!
#6 - Off-Grid Ability
While most tiny home owners like to be "on the grid", meaning they connect to local power and water for their utilities, it is completely possible to fit a tiny home with solar, and other applications to make a completely off-grid home. Many people in today's "always connected" society are seeking a bit of isolation, freedom, and solitude. An off-grid tiny home is the perfect option for someone who truly wants a location all to themselves. At MTL, we have designed and built off-grid tiny homes, and would love to discuss with your options with you as it relates to building a truly modern, off-grid tiny home solution.
#7 - Office & Business Use
While most people build out a full "home" in their tiny home, there is a growing segment of people that are using their tiny homes as an office, or even a business like a massage studio or home salon.
For the work-from-home people, it is sometimes challenging to get focused with an in-home office, isn't it? This is why many people are opting to have custom tiny home offices developed to be placed on their property or in their backyard. They can be built on wheels just like a tiny home, and if you move, you can just take your office with you! A tiny home is the perfect size for a full office, with tons of natural light, and plenty of space to work.
Other professions have also opted to build their own small offices or studios from tiny homes. A local friend of ours had a custom massage studio built on wheels, complete with the appropriate built in sinks, table location, seating area, surround sound, and washer/dryer unit to wash the sheets afterwards! There is really no end to the possibilities of going tiny! (Though we'd recommend avoiding a bowling alley in a tiny home).
For the work-from-home people, it is sometimes challenging to get focused with an in-home office, isn't it? This is why many people are opting to have custom tiny home offices developed to be placed on their property or in their backyard. They can be built on wheels just like a tiny home, and if you move, you can just take your office with you! A tiny home is the perfect size for a full office, with tons of natural light, and plenty of space to work.
Other professions have also opted to build their own small offices or studios from tiny homes. A local friend of ours had a custom massage studio built on wheels, complete with the appropriate built in sinks, table location, seating area, surround sound, and washer/dryer unit to wash the sheets afterwards! There is really no end to the possibilities of going tiny! (Though we'd recommend avoiding a bowling alley in a tiny home).
#8 - Cash Flow
For the investors out there, tiny homes have become a staple on sites like AirBnB. For a small investment, an investor can buy multiple tiny homes, place them on their desirable property, and rent them out to travelers and vacationers. We have seen individuals buy 10 tiny homes at a cost of $4,000/month, and generate over $20,000/month of income off of the rentals! It is a fantastic business opportunity.
Even if you're not an "investor", but perhaps you have some extra land or a spot for a tiny home, the extra income from your tiny home investment can be substantial. Not only that, but once you've decided to stop renting out your tiny home, you still have it to enjoy yourself!
Even if you're not an "investor", but perhaps you have some extra land or a spot for a tiny home, the extra income from your tiny home investment can be substantial. Not only that, but once you've decided to stop renting out your tiny home, you still have it to enjoy yourself!
There are just a few of the ways people are enjoying tiny homes in today's tiny home movement. Do you have another idea or vision for yours? We'd love to hear from you! We can make any of these dreams a reality with our design and building team, and would love to help you realize yours.