Is a Tiny House in the Plan?
Life requires planning at all stages, but sometimes we don’t imagine all the options. We only consider the way we’ve seen it done in our families or hometown. We dutifully complete our estate planning, sign our will, and pay the life insurance premium. In the meantime, we fail to take time for some dreaming and exploration. We forget to adjust our thinking to encompass the never-ending cycle of changing personal circumstances or priorities. Ever heard of a Grosvatihaus? A Granny Pod? A Tiny House?
All three of these housing nicknames represent an intention to live small and well—often in proximity to extended family and with the benefit of reduced cost and maintenance for the dweller.
It cannot be denied that these tiny houses are dang cute— like an opportunity to live in the amazing playhouse you never had as a kid. But beyond the curbside appeal, the Tiny House Movement offers an alternative that can be friendly to pocketbooks, to family relationships, and to the environment. For older individuals interested in a sustainable, independent, and creative lifestyle, this option might really fit the bill. Often resembling studio apartments in scale, the homes can be customized and styled to individual tastes. They can be located individually, adjacent to an existing property, or clustered in a tiny home community.
What is a Tiny House per housing regulations?
▪ 400 square feet and smaller
▪ Limited to 8.5 feet wide and 13.6 feet tall, so it can travel on the highway
▪ Affordable, sustainable and easy to locate and hook up to utilities
▪ Meets all daily needs, including sleeping, cooking and sanitation
▪ All of the basic components of a traditional house
▪ Typically costs $17,000 to $95,000 to build
Unlike typical houses, these homes are mobile — some even stay on their wheels — and can either work on the utility grid or be completely self-sustaining. They appeal to individuals who like the challenge of maximizing space in clever ways and creating a home whose details reflect their personality and taste. This idea of really living small has been catching on as people tire of the excess of too much stuff, too much upkeep, and too much cost. Architect Sarah Susanka, guru of the Not So Big House Movement describes the mindset this way: "In a tiny house you have to consider every item you bring into your home. I tell people it's like living in a haiku. You have to be aware of every single thing you bring into your house. Tiny living really teaches you to live more freely. Everything becomes a treasure."
As the Tiny House movement has grown, local municipalities have had to make adjustments to local zoning and regulations to figure out how to fit this new housing form into the existing infrastructure. Fans of the house form host events and how-to workshops across the country and builders and designers catering to the demand have proliferated. Part of the very definition of a Tiny House is that it be constructed with environmentally conscious and renewable materials. This emphasis presents clear opportunities for towns and cities looking for environmentally sustainable housing options.
Tiny Houses also offer would-be homeowners an opportunity to live in a place that might otherwise be cost prohibitive, and may even open the door for travel. In an article in AARP, enthusiast Ryan Mitchell from Charlotte, NC explained how living in a small space on a large parcel of land enabled him to leave his hometown for a few months and live overseas, something he'd never have been able to do if he had mortgage payments. "My fixed costs are very low," he says.
So if your dream wheels get turning…reach out to your local zoning board for current regulations. Connect with some of the local builders in your area that are keeping pace with this trend. And remember that having a strong estate and lifestyle plan in place will allow your life to match your values and intentions.
The team at Hillsborough Wills & Trusts has the expertise to help you Build Your Circle of Security