What to Keep in Mind When Thinking About Buying a Tiny House
The amount of downsizing do to move into a tiny house can be very freeing. The less stuff you have, the less you need to worry about. However, this move does take some planning and could require the help of a lender. Here are some things to consider when you’re thinking of making the move to a tiny home.
Cost
Many choose to go tiny for financial reasons, but it’s important to remember that tiny home construction is very specialized. Because of this a lot of the building supplies you’re going to need can’t be found at your local home supply store. City Creek Mortgage recommends meeting with a mortgage lender and discussing any mortgage questions or other financial concerns you have for the transition. You may need a construction loan, which you then have to convert to a mortgage. Your lender can help you make the best decisions regarding financing. The great news is that once you move into a tiny house, your living expenses are likely to drop significantly.
The Needs of Your Family
The art of tiny-house living is to keep things simple. In addition, for much of the year and most of the day, you’ll be living out of your tiny house instead of in it. To keep your tiny house tidy, you will need to be particularly vigilant about what comes into the living space. Spaceman notes that many tiny homes don’t have an entertainment center or a space where people can be alone, and private spaces like beds often fold up during the day. If you’re going to live tiny and you have kids or pets, it’s a good idea to settle your tiny home in a spot where everyone can get outside safely and enjoy some private time. Features such as pocket doors, and room dividers may be worth investing in if you have the space. In addition, individual gear, such as headphones, can help everyone enjoy their favorite audio books or music without imposing on others.
Downsizing Challenges
If you pack a regular house into a tiny home, you likely won’t be able to make it fit, let alone have space to live. Downsizing involves donating, selling, or trashing what you currently have to reduce how much stuff you have. For those who need to raise some cash by selling some things, be sure to start early. Apps like VarageSale can help you sell your belongings, but this process takes time and effort. If you need to downsize quickly and not planning, you could wind up donating a lot more than you intended. The simplest way to par down is to move what you need into your tiny house first, and then have an estate or yard sale in the house you’re leaving, and donate anything that doesn’t sell.
Tiny-house living can be an exciting way to get out of debt, spend more time in nature and gain mobility. Work with your lender to figure out the best way to finance your project, then get busy downsizing and planning your thrilling next chapter in life.
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