Author: Davids

Tiny House Living – How Do Families Make It Work?

tiny home for the backyard

As the Tiny House Movement rises, more people are considering going tiny. Earlier the two main demographics were retirees and singles, but now a family of five can stay comfortably. Parenting is a challenging job in an average-sized home, and it’s understandable when a parent winces at the thought of moving inside a 400 sq. ft. space with kids. However, this is not stopping families across the US from leaving behind traditional homes and choosing tiny living. More families are choosing to simplify their lives by cutting square footage. If you are seeking a good quality log cabin, ADU, or tiny home on foundation, research multiple builders, then you must compare the models and pricing before taking a final call. TinyHouseMe connects you with multiple builders across the US. We help you save time searching for a builder. At TinyHouseMe, you connect faster with a builder to customize the tiny home for the backyard or build a cabin on wheels. On our platform, you will find builds off-the-shelf as well as customized choices to meet specific needs. 

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You save money – Less financial disagreements 

In the wake of the housing crisis and global recession, the tiny house movement has gained a lot of momentum. The perfect traditional house costs a fortune and is unattainable for many. With economic uncertainty, spending so much on housing isn’t worth it. Moving into a tiny house is easier as you don’t have to take a mortgage. Tiny homes are comparatively less expensive than conventional houses, and the general maintenance costs and utility bills for sewage, garbage, water, and electricity drop considerably. Additionally, since you don’t fit much stuff inside a tiny house, it reflects on your reduced expenses in the long term. 

Although tiny homes are affordable, a tiny home’s determining price factor is whether you buy a prefab tiny house or go for a DIY-built one. Of course, a prefab tiny house is costlier than a DIY structure. Nevertheless, for a family, living in a tiny home means inexpensive maintenance, lower utility bills, fewer clean-ups required, more financial stability, faster debt repayment, more funds saved, and fewer arguments over money. 

Homeschooling VS Traditional schooling

Homeschooling is lawful in the US. Most tiny home dwellers homeschool their kids through co-op classes, online courses, and textbooks. When you choose to homeschool your kids, you will be held responsible for the child’s education as a parent. Many freak out about the thought of being both a teacher and a parent. However, you can still live in a tiny house and choose to send your kids to school. You can get a tiny house for the backyard, build on a foundation and send your child to a traditional school. The conventional school offers many activities, and sometimes parents prefer that to homeschool. If you are living in a tiny home on wheels, make an arrangement for the child to live with either parent during the school year while they get to travel with family in the tiny home during summer. 

We are not saying that homeschooling is bad, as sometimes the child gets to learn more. However, school isn’t the only way to learn new stuff. Traveling and witnessing real-life situations and challenges in a tiny home is a hands-on experience that impacts children to become well-rounded adults. Your child learns to value experiences and not just material possessions. 

Kids need to downsize too! 

The math goes like this: kids + toys = mess. However, in a tiny house, a little mess can look like ‘hell on earth.’ Things easily get messy inside a tiny house, and a lot of downsizing can manage the clutter. Give the kids a box to store their stuff, and anything that doesn’t fit in gets tossed out. People wrongly think kids need more space and toys than they need. 

Hosting a party for tiny home dwellers

Large indoor parties inside a tiny home are an impossible dream. However, you can have a great outdoor gathering built like a wood-fired hot tub, fire pit, an outdoor dining area, and guest cabins. Yes, get guest cabins – extra tiny homes for stayover parties if you are sociable. 

You don’t live remotely in a tiny house 

Living in a tiny house doesn’t mean staying in a remote location. Families usually live in rural areas and clearly understand the zoning laws and building codes. There are a lot of legalities and regulations across the country about tiny homes, and forgetting about these can risk eviction. Families need to plan and prepare before moving into a tiny house. The transition gets easier when you have an established builder designing and manufacturing the customized tiny home that suits your lifestyle. TinyHouseMe connects you with hundreds of different builders across the US. You can find the perfect building and connect with the builders via TinyHouseMe for a quick response and competitive pricing.

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Tiny home – Your first step toward a long-term plan

If your final goal is to live in your own ‘dream house,’ then living in a tiny home is the 1st step. The tiny home is your conscious decision to stay mortgage-free. Leading a mortgage-free life is worth the challenges and sacrifices when you have a bigger dream of building your own house. Connect with TinyHouseMe to find your perfect tiny space.

Tiny Home on Wheels – Building Mistakes That You Need To Avoid

tiny house on wheels

Are you considering joining the tiny home movement and downsizing your life and expenses by embracing tiny home living? It’s a good idea as according to Forbes, the average 200 sq. ft. tiny home can cost as low as $30,000, while the traditional American home costs much more. Not to forget, tiny homeowners don’t have to deal with mortgages. Conventional homes are just bigger spaces with high utility bills. When you invest in a tiny home manufactured by an established builder, you pay less and live comfortably but have lower utility bills to pay at the end of the month. However, when building a tiny home on wheels, you are likely to make a lot of mistakes, especially the DIYers without any prior experience. Most issues are fixable, but preparation is the key to avoiding these mistakes from the start as much as possible. 

TinyHouseMe connects you with established and experienced builders who can design and customize your tiny home on wheels and also prevent you from making building mistakes that threaten the durability, strength, and functionality of the structure.

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Overlooking headers 

Many inexperienced tiny home builders and DIYers forget about the headers, which can cause structural problems. The doors and windows have a gap in the support structure, and taking a strong wall and putting a huge hole in it, can decrease structural integrity. You need to find a way to balance the weight and not forget about the headers. Ignoring the header, leads to additional issues and you will have to spend extra money on the tiny house. An experienced builder will know about the importance of a header and will not make the mistake of ignoring it.

Go beyond the trailer width 

Talking to the builders about designing the tiny home on wheels and putting in a lot of creative layouts and storage ideas for customization is great. However, maximizing everything begets problems like poor weight distribution, and you don’t realize how easily you go beyond the legal width limit. According to TinyHouseBuild, a trailer’s legal road limit width is 102” or 8.5 feet. A good builder will advise you to build over-the-wheel wells to maximize the interior width without surpassing the legal limit. While designing your customized tiny home, you and the builder should consider the sheathing, siding, roof overhang, drip edge, etc., on both sides. If you don’t plan these things with your builder during the building phase, you need to spend extra renovating your space again.

Furthermore, consider the exterior width features like venting pipes, which add more thickness to the structure. Although wider tiny homes are more common and wide-load permits are inexpensive, extra-wide tiny homes on wheels are challenging to tow by inexperienced homeowners. Additionally, finding a secure parking spot is difficult due to these factors, and parking under the radar is trickier, especially when the mobile home is harder to relocate.

Tiny homes are affordable – BUT don’t try getting it dirt-cheap 

The tiny home movement gained momentum because they are comparatively more affordable than a traditional house. According to Media Company, Work+Money, the median cost of a conventional US home is 10 times more than that of a tiny house. However, expecting a tiny home to be dirt-cheap and going for DIY structures to reduce costs is not a smart move. Rather research tiny home builders and purchase a high-quality tiny home on wheels after comparing the models and prices. TinyHouseMe connects you with established builders across the US providing premium-grade tiny homes at competitive prices. TinyHouseMe can offer expert help to plan and finance the tiny home if you don’t have funds to pay upfront. Remember that while investing in a THOW, put your money on a good trailer. A customized trailer is a secure foundation and supports the overall load of your tiny home. The trailer needs to be strong enough to support the weight of the tiny home.

Not using lightweight materials 

Cement siding and too many tiles are heavy for a tiny home on wheels. The THOW are moveable structures, and lightweight materials are imperative. Consider alternatives like steel roofing panels for the roof, expanded polystyrene boards for insulation, vinyl for flooring, birch plywood sheets for the interior structure, and lightweight steel studs for the exterior. A local builder can help build your tiny home, customized to suit your needs. For competitive pricing, connect via TinyHouseMe and book an appointment at the earliest.

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A Thumb Rule – Ask for help if you need it!

We don’t expect you to understand the entire building process of a tiny home. Installing electrical and plumbing systems are challenging and must be done right to avoid future complications. You need to plan out the structure of your tiny home with the builders before taking the plunge. At TinyHouseMe, you have the privilege to connect with multiple builders and look into their latest manufactured models to compare and choose what works best for you. If the models please you visually, the price suits your budget, and the specifications meet your needs – then connect with the builder instantly via TinyHouseMe. We place you in the frontline for the builder and ensure a faster response. Connect today!

How To Finance a Log Cabin? Everything You Should Know About Cabin Financing

tiny log cabins for sale

Your budget affects each and every aspect of your home, starting from the size to the amenities and also the location. With a dollar figure in mind, you should start planning and designing the log cabins. Building a log cabin from scratch is much different from buying an existing home. You can cut down on costs by checking out the tiny log cabins for sale online. Builders offer high-quality tiny cabins for sale, but many don’t offer to finance. At TinyHouseMe, you connect with established builders offering affordable, premium-quality log cabins.

Moreover, TinyHouseMe offers expert assistance to plan and finance your log cabin. We know that log homes are a significant investment, and you will want to consider financing solutions to find out what works best for you. This write-up focuses on financing for a customized log home and how to make things easier for you to get the loan required to build the home. 

You will need two loans 

If you are eyeing the tiny log cabins for sale but need financial help, apply for two loans before your dream becomes a reality. The 1st loan is the construction loan that provides you the money for paying the bills during the log cabin construction process. The 2nd loan is the standard 15-to-30-year mortgage loan. Both loans are necessary for financing the log home that you build yourself or getting the structure built on your land, as they have different collateral needs than financing an existing home. 

Financing an existing home is easy as the bank determines the valuation of the home and agrees to lend a percentage of the value as a mortgage. The home serves as collateral for the mortgage and secures the loan if you fail to meet the terms of the mortgage. 

However, financing a log cabin built from scratch is complex as you have no existing home that can serve as collateral. At that time, the loan officers need your other assets for collateral. You need to provide more details about your personal finances and home construction. The other assets that can serve as collateral are your personal property like bonds, stocks, cash in a savings account, or a bank agreement to grant a mortgage loan once the log cabin is completed. 

Mortgage Loan

This loan is quite common for most families. However, you need to know the personal and financial information required and how to pre-qualify yourself before you apply for the loan. 

Lenders insist that you make some down payment for the log home before they grant the long-term mortgage. As per NAHB, lenders prefer at least a 20% down payment from the owner and will offer better terms and conditions for inducing you to do so! If you can only offer a small percentage of the down payment on the home, then the loans require mortgage insurance to reduce the risk to the bank. 

Other factors, like the ratio between your income and the mortgage payment and between your income and total longstanding debt, are considered before making a mortgage loan. As per Log & Timber Home Living Magazine, these ratios vary from person to person, but banks require your expected monthly mortgage payment not to be more than 28% of your monthly gross family income. However, this percentage depends on your down payment and financial situation. 

The second ratio lenders consider the ratio of your installment debt payment per month which includes the mortgage payment and the monthly gross income of your family. According to Log & Timber Home Living Magazine, this ratio cannot exceed 36%. 

There are other factors banks consider before making a mortgage loan, and the above information is just a basic guide that the banks follow for determining your borrowing capacity. After you have qualified for the mortgage loan, the bank will issue a letter to indicate that the construction loan should be paid off with the proceeds of the mortgage loan. With the take-out letter, you can now apply for the construction loan. 

Construction Loan 

This is a short-term loan and is separate from a mortgage loan. The purpose of this loan is to pay for the labor and materials required to build the log home. As per, The Weatherall Company, these loans are for 6 to 18 months and have higher interest rates as they are riskier than other secured loans. These loans are for both professional and DIY builders. However, before approving the loan, bankers study the project, and a decision is made after proper evaluation. The take-out letter assures the bank that you have qualified for the mortgage loan, which will be repaid from the proceeds of the mortgage loan after the construction has been completed. 

The construction loan funds are not credited to your account but are released in exchange for proof of labor and materials used to build the log cabin. In addition, on-site inspections are conducted, and the loans are released at specific points of the building process. 

Package Financing 

Log home producers need a sustainable amount of the loan in advance to purchase the package for cutting and delivery. Some lending institutions release the funds after you and the manufacturer place a request. However, some banks refuse until the package is present on the lot. At this point, ask the bank to issue a promissory note or a ‘letter of credit’ to the log home producer guaranteeing payment upon delivery. Often the bank transfers the money directly to the producer’s account the same day the log package is delivered. Your builder-dealer will help you arrange with the bank and the log home producer to make the financing of the log packages easier and more convenient. 

How to choose a log-friendly lender?

  • Look for lenders with experience with log homes
  • A local builder can help you connect with the lenders they have worked with before
  • The local builder can help you prepare the building documents the lender will need

What do you need to qualify for a loan? 

  • 700+ credit score (as per NAHB)
  • Pension award letter or your social security 
  • Two months of complete bank statements on every page 
  • An estimated contract of the log home plan for justifying the amount being borrowed 
  • Mortgage statement of your home and other additional properties owned by you
  • Explanatory letter for negative credit (if applicable)

Besides your financial status, lenders also need to know things like:

  • Sales contract for the log home package – Complete set of bills
  • Building permits – Construction documents that comply with building codes
  • Plans and specifications – Construction drawings
  • Cost estimates – Copies of written bids
  • Builder Contract – Agreement showing costs and specifications 
  • Survey or plot plan – Location and legal description of your property
  • Land deed – Title and mortgage details of the property you intend to build

Final Words

As per Log & Timber Home Living Magazine, tiny log homes account for over 6% of all custom-built family homes in the USA. However, financing a log home is challenging, and this write-up focuses on making things easier for you. TinyHouseMe connects you with builders offering tiny log cabins for sale and assists with expert help to plan and finance your home. Enroll now! Book an appointment with the right builder today to get started at the earliest.

How Long Does a Tiny House Last?

tiny house kits for sale

Tiny homes pack in a lot of punch in a small package. The confined spaces have all sorts of comforts, just like a regular home. However, whenever you look at a tiny home, the question of durability strikes the mind. The homes may be small, but by no means frail and dainty. As per SPINDRIFT HOMES, with proper maintenance, you can expect the tiny home to last for 30 to 50 years. However, a tiny home’s longevity depends on many factors. Tiny homes on a foundation tend to last longer than mobile ones. However, tiny homes built with fine-quality materials, designed and manufactured by established builders tend to last longer. TinyHouseMe is the online directory to help you find premium-quality tiny house kits for sale and connect with the builder of your choice. Well-built tiny homes last for decades, and the determining factor of longevity starts at the design stage. 

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Do tiny homes degrade at a faster rate than traditional houses? 

Although some wear and tear are unavoidable for a house of any size, human presence affects any home, especially if you have pets and kids around. But is it true that the tiny home will degrade faster than a traditional house? 

No! Not necessarily. 

At first glance, a tiny home might not look like a durable structure, but it can last as long as a conventional house if built with the right materials and structurally sound. As per claims by Tiny Backyard Spaces, an ordinary tiny home can last 10 years, but a well-built one will outlive it for years with minimal upkeep.

Factors that determine the longevity of a tiny house:

Design 

Good architectural design can guarantee the durability of the tiny house. That’s why it’s necessary to connect with a good builder to plan things out, including load distribution, wind pressure, earthquake-resistant analysis, thermal expansion, etc. Customized tiny homes age slowly and in a more predictable manner. TinyHouseMe has established builders offering tiny home kits for sale. Here you get the privilege of connecting with multiple builders and making the right choice.

Construction materials 

Stop using wood to build your tiny home. Rather use lightweight materials like steel, aluminum, closed-cell spray foam, and luxury vinyl to build the exterior structures and design interiors of the tiny home. These materials are all weather-resistant, low maintenance, and won’t rot or mold. Spending a bit extra on durable construction components is better than replacing the materials every few years. 

Maintenance 

Tiny homes are generally low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you completely forget about cleaning and repairing. Retouching paintwork, replacing degraded wall pieces and rotten flooring, clearing clogged gutters, and cleaning up the plumbing systems are some of the essential maintenance tasks necessary for extending the lifespan of a tiny house. We recommend you do small and regular maintenance than wait for the big and costly repairs. 

Weather 

The tiny homes are susceptible to weather damage. Leaky roofs are hard to identify after a hailstorm and can damage the interior walls in no time. Most of the time, changing weather conditions like rain and storms can also cause electrical damage inside a tiny home. That’s why weatherproof the electrical appliances right at the designing stage. You can also use a weatherproof house wrap to protect the structure. 

Type and usage 

The tiny home on a foundation can last for years as they are stationary structures and have minimal wear and tear. The tiny home on wheels is more susceptible to damage as they are mobile, and the risk of damage from bumpy roads and sudden jolts cannot be ignored. However, you can increase the durability of these homes by taking time out for an annual inspection of the plumbing and insulation systems to resolve potential concerns that can hamper the home’s lifespan. 

However, it’s worth noting that repairing a tiny home is far more economical than fixing and mending a conventional place. 

Here are some of our quick tips to make your tiny home last longer

Your tiny home needs preventive care to make it last longer.

  • Don’t procrastinate on a minor problem until it becomes a major repair work
  • Inspect insulation, pipes, and water tanks at least once a year
  • Faucets, showers, and toilet inspections every six months are mandatory 
  • Check the roofing system after weather turbulences like heavy rainfall or hail storms
  • Choose high-quality manufacturing materials and look for a warranty for material or mechanical faults

Tiny Home Insurance 

We always recommend that you opt for comprehensive tiny home insurance that gives you peace of mind. The insurance plans ensure that the tiny home is covered from physical damages. However, many insurance plans have certain limitations and require higher fees if you build your own tiny home. Check out our article on insurance (https://bit.ly/3FtWkQJ) and if you need expert help, enroll to get in touch with us. 

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Final Words 

Tiny homes are durable and can last for a lifetime. Wear and tear are inevitable, but a tiny home’s reduced cooling, heating, and maintenance costs make them more affordable than a conventional home. Design your tiny home from the start keeping durability in mind, and there’s no reason why the structure won’t last a lifetime. Check out the models at TinyHouseMe and connect directly with the builders. We ensure you connect faster, get a competitive price and receive helpful resources for planning and financing.