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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$1,600,000

↓ $50,000

Hana

973 Hana Hwy, Hana

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406649

Days on Market: 422

Keller Williams Realty Maui-Ka Cell: 832-382-4825

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$589,000

Wailuku

1987 Olu Dr, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406572

Days on Market: 432

Commercial Prop of Maui LLC

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$648,000

↓ $50,000

Kaanapali

51 Pihaa St 48, Kaanapali

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406548

Days on Market: 433

Coldwell Banker Island Prop-KP Cell: 808-344-2677

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$495,000

↓ $35,000

Wailuku

182 River Rd, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406532

Days on Market: 434

Berkshire Hathaway HI Isl Prop

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Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 1 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 2 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 3 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 4 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 5 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 6 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 7 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 8 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 9 of 10 Listing Image for 464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46 10 of 10

$1,995,000

Kaanapali

464 Anapuni Loop Lot 46, Kaanapali

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406521

Days on Market: 437

Welcome Hawaii Properties Cell: 808-280-2480

Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 1 of 6 Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 2 of 6 Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 3 of 6 Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 4 of 6 Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 5 of 6 Listing Image for 484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47 6 of 6

$1,995,000

Kaanapali

484 Anapuni Loop Lot 47, Kaanapali

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406522

Days on Market: 437

Welcome Hawaii Properties Cell: 808-280-2480

Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 1 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 2 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 3 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 4 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 5 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 6 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 7 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 8 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 9 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 10 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 11 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 12 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 13 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 14 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 15 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 16 of 17 Listing Image for 0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4 17 of 17

$275,000

↓ $44,000

Molokai

0 Wailau Valley Rd Lots 3 And 4, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406479

Days on Market: 440

Molokai Realty LLC Cell: 808-646-0837

Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 1 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 2 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 3 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 4 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 5 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 6 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 7 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 8 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 9 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 10 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 11 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 12 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 13 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 14 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 15 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 16 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 17 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 18 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 19 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 20 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 21 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 22 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 23 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 24 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 25 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 26 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 27 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 28 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 29 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 30 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 31 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 32 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 33 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 34 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 35 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 36 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 37 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 38 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 39 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 40 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 41 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 42 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 43 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 44 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 45 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 46 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 47 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 48 of 49 Listing Image for 67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49 49 of 49

$850,000

Kaanapali

67 Kaulele Pl Lot 49, Kaanapali

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406422

Days on Market: 447

Coldwell Banker Island Prop-KP Cell: 808-283-3067

Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 1 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 2 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 3 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 4 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 5 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 6 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 7 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 8 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 9 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 10 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 11 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 12 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 13 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 14 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 15 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 16 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 17 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 18 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 19 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 20 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 21 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 22 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 23 of 24 Listing Image for 418 Waine'e St 24 of 24

$900,000

Lahaina

418 Waine'e St, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406402

Days on Market: 448

Berkshire Hathaway HI Isl Prop

Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 1 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 2 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 3 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 4 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 5 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 6 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 7 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 8 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 9 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 10 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 11 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 12 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 13 of 14 Listing Image for 610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13 14 of 14

$1,295,000

↓ $305,000

Haiku

610 Kai Huki Cir Lot 13, Haiku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406355

Days on Market: 453

Hawaii Life (W) Cell: 808-283-2222

Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 1 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 2 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 3 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 4 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 5 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 6 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 7 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 8 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 9 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 10 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 11 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 12 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 13 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 14 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 15 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 16 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 17 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 18 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 19 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 20 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 21 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 22 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 23 of 24 Listing Image for 744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9 24 of 24

$1,895,000

↓ $205,000

Haiku

744 Kai Huki Cir Lot 9, Haiku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406354

Days on Market: 453

Hawaii Life (W) Cell: 808-283-2222

In Escrow
Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 1 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 2 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 3 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 4 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 5 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 6 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 7 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 8 of 9 Listing Image for 0 Kaupo Gap Rd 9 of 9

$695,000

Kaupo

0 Kaupo Gap Rd, Kaupo

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 406336

Days on Market: 454

Island Sotheby's International Realty(W) Cell: 808-446-5198

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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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