Dos And Don’ts To Remember When Buying A Tiny Home

Tiny Homes on Maui

Many people are buying into the notion of downsizing their home life because they realize they could get away with having less than they thought. Those who follow a minimalistic lifestyle would agree that with smaller homes, there’s less clutter and stress. Regardless of your reason for buying a tiny home, it is clear from the market research that the sales of these little houses are on the increase, according to Business Wire.

Building a tiny home is often more cost-effective. However, you may consider buying a tiny house instead if you don’t know how to go about it. Furthermore, there are some dos and don’ts that homeowners should look at before making the final move:  

Remembering the Dos of Buying a Tiny Home

Inside of a Tiny Home

Although tiny homes are quickly becoming a favorite among many, there are certain things these new tiny homeowners should remember. Below are some of the dos to incorporate into the decision:

  1. Carefully plan before buying and moving

Moving into a smaller house doesn’t necessarily mean fewer moving costs. That said, it’s crucial to plan your finances for the whole process properly. You can research the various types of tiny homes, like the ones on foundations while others are on wheels. You can also decide whether you’ll have a shipping container, motorhome, yurt, tiny cabin, or shed. Likewise, it’s best to consider the floor plan to know whether the space is enough for you and your family’s lifestyle.

  1. Have the tiny home inspected

Once you’ve found your dream house, the next thing to consider is inspecting the house. By doing so, you can get what you paid for. That said, you can ask the seller questions such as:

  • Are the electrical wires properly installed?

  • Is there running water?

  • Are there any leaks?

  • Is the tiny house properly insulated?

  • Are there smoke detectors?

Furthermore, you can consult a professional tiny house inspector to make sure everything runs smoothly once you’ve purchased your new tiny home.

  1. Conduct a home inventory check

Homeowners should ask the seller or estate agent about the inclusions in the deal, such as certain appliances or furniture. Some homes come fully furnished, while others may need additional purchases to complete the interior look. The goal is to list the most essential appliances, furniture, and fixtures that don’t take up much space. Hence, if you're buying a tiny house with a bulky sofa or a huge refrigerator, it's best to replace it with the perfect size.

  1. Expect flexible options for living

Because a tiny home has limited space, tiny homeowners should expect to apply some flexibility to their daily activities. It would be best if you were comfortable with options like folding beds, foldaway tables or chairs, and modular storage when purchasing a tiny home. This may seem tasking at first, but the benefits of living in a tiny house outweigh these.  

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Listing Image for 5171 Makena Rd Lot 7 1 of 5 Listing Image for 5171 Makena Rd Lot 7 2 of 5 Listing Image for 5171 Makena Rd Lot 7 3 of 5 Listing Image for 5171 Makena Rd Lot 7 4 of 5 Listing Image for 5171 Makena Rd Lot 7 5 of 5

$3,500,000

Wailea/Makena

5171 Makena Rd Lot 7, Wailea/Makena

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408307

Days on Market: 258

Discovery Makena Realty LLC Cell: 808-870-8000

Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 1 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 2 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 3 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 4 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 5 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 6 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 7 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 8 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 9 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 10 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 11 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 12 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 13 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 14 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 15 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 16 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 17 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 18 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 19 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 20 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 21 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 22 of 23 Listing Image for 165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3 23 of 23

$590,000

↓ $35,000

Wailuku

165 S Laikeha Pl Lot 3, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408249

Days on Market: 265

Coldwell Banker Island Prop(P) Cell: 808-446-5762

Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 1 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 2 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 3 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 4 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 5 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 6 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 7 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 8 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 9 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 10 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 11 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 12 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 13 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 14 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 15 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 16 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 17 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 18 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 19 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 20 of 21 Listing Image for 7191 Makena Rd 21 of 21

$37,000,000

Wailea/Makena

7191 Makena Rd, Wailea/Makena

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408242

Days on Market: 265

Coldwell Banker Island Prop-Ku Cell: 808-280-5000

Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 1 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 2 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 3 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 4 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 5 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 6 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 7 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 8 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 9 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 10 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 11 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 12 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 13 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 14 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 15 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 16 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 17 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 18 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 19 of 20 Listing Image for Uluanui Rd 126 20 of 20

$275,000

Molokai

Uluanui Rd 126, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408227

Days on Market: 269

Molokai Vacation Properties Cell: 808-658-1717

Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 1 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 2 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 3 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 4 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 5 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 6 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 7 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 8 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 9 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 10 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 11 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 12 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 13 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 14 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 15 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 16 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 17 of 18 Listing Image for 12 Kupaia Pl 41 18 of 18

$250,000

Molokai

12 Kupaia Pl 41, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408226

Days on Market: 269

Molokai Vacation Properties Cell: 808-658-1717

Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 1 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 2 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 3 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 4 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 5 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 6 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 7 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 8 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 9 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 10 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 11 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 12 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 13 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 14 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 15 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 16 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 17 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 18 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 19 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 20 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 21 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 22 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 23 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 24 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 25 of 26 Listing Image for 1408 Waianukole St A/c 26 of 26

$1,390,000

↓ $100,000

Lahaina

1408 Waianukole St A/c, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408218

Days on Market: 270

Compass Cell: 808-276-6881

Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 1 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 2 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 3 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 4 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 5 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 6 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 7 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 8 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 9 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 10 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 11 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 12 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 13 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 14 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 15 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 16 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 17 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 18 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 19 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 20 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 21 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 22 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 23 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 24 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 25 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 26 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 27 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 28 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 29 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 30 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 31 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 32 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 33 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 34 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 35 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 36 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 37 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 38 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 39 of 40 Listing Image for 2 Lots Kupaoa St 40 of 40

$3,962,000

Pukalani

2 Lots Kupaoa St, Pukalani

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408220

Days on Market: 270

Equity One Real Estate Inc (P) Cell: 808-283-1775

Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 1 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 2 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 3 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 4 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 5 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 6 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 7 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 8 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 9 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 10 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 11 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 12 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 13 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 14 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 15 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 16 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 17 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 18 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 19 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 20 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 21 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 22 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 23 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 24 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 25 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 26 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 27 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 28 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 29 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 30 of 31 Listing Image for 265 Uki Uki Loop 31 of 31

$1,200,000

↓ $100,000

Kapalua

265 Uki Uki Loop, Kapalua

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408198

Days on Market: 272

Compass-W

Listing Image for 0 Hana Hwy 1 of 5 Listing Image for 0 Hana Hwy 2 of 5 Listing Image for 0 Hana Hwy 3 of 5 Listing Image for 0 Hana Hwy 4 of 5 Listing Image for 0 Hana Hwy 5 of 5

$15,000,000

Hana

0 Hana Hwy, Hana

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 408192

Days on Market: 273

Hawaii Life (PR) Cell: 808-346-7413

Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 1 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 2 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 3 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 4 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 5 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 6 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 7 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 8 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 9 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 10 of 11 Listing Image for 582 Kaunalipo Dr 11 of 11

$615,000

↓ $15,000

Wailuku

582 Kaunalipo Dr, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 407927

Days on Market: 296

HomeSmart Island Homes

Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 1 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 2 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 3 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 4 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 5 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 6 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 7 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 8 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 9 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 10 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 11 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 12 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 13 of 14 Listing Image for Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A 14 of 14

$625,000

↓ $74,000

Lahaina

Pohaku Aeko St Lot 31, Unit A, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 407907

Days on Market: 298

Compass Cell: 808-357-8398

Buying Real Estate on Maui

Buying Real Estate on Maui

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Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 1 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 2 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 3 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 4 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 5 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 6 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 7 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 8 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 9 of 10 Listing Image for 0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4 10 of 10

$649,000

↓ $46,000

Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Haleakala Hwy Unit 4, Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 407891

Days on Market: 299

West Maui Land Company Inc

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Not Forgetting the Don’ts of Buying a Tiny Home

A Row of Tiny Homes

Thinking of a new home could be exciting, but new homeowners shouldn’t get ahead of themselves too quickly. Moreover, they could spend too much time and effort that they could apply elsewhere during the process. Therefore, homeowners should be aware of the following don’ts when buying a tiny home:

  1. Be Afraid of Decluttering

Buying a tiny home means living only with the essentials. To achieve this, an excellent way to start is to let go of unnecessary things. However, decluttering can be a challenge for some, especially when transitioning to a tiny house. Some of the reasons for struggling to declutter are the following:

  • Thinking you might need it someday

  • Feeling guilty for wasting money or getting rid of a perfectly good item

  • The object is sentimental or something that you’ve used in the past

  • The task of decluttering is overwhelming

  • Thinking that your house will be boring without them

Determining your reason for struggling is important so you’ll know how to overcome them.  Likewise, you can donate or sell useful, perfectly good, or sentimental items that you have like old clothes, bulky furniture, and other decor. Otherwise, throw out broken or useless things such as broken appliances and a pile of scratch papers. Remember, your goal is to fix the clutter issue and prevent it as you move into your tiny home.

  1. Work By Yourself

Starting a new project, such as building parts of your tiny home, may sound like something you can accomplish by yourself. Unfortunately, too many things could cause the project to fail, especially if you don’t know the basics of building something. 

The structural and functional aspects are best left to the experts. Consulting a tiny home builder and researching building options could clarify whether to proceed with the project or purchase a complete home instead.

  1. Ignore local residential laws

Not everyone will buy a tiny home to live in as a permanent residence; using it as a vacation home or rental could also be an option. For this reason, the new tiny homeowner should familiarize themselves with the local rules, regulations, and laws whether they want their tiny home on the mainland or on some vacant land in Maui

Wrapping Things Up

Tiny home living is becoming a trend, but the question remains: will it be suitable for every person or family? It’s not a question everyone will answer straight away. Some will do more research, while others must experience tiny home living for themselves. One thing is for sure: considering the dos and don’ts will help narrow down the options.

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Evan Harlow Maui

Evan Harlow ranks among the best real estate agents on Maui annually and is in the top 1% of Coldwell Banker agents worldwide in production. Evan has the expertise, experience, and work ethic to help you achieve your real estate buying and selling goals. We promise exceptional service and support from the beginning of the process through closing and beyond. See what Evan's clients are saying on Google.

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