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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$2,500,000

Hana

0 Hana Hwy, Hana

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410448

Days on Market: 45

Hugh Starr & Co LLC

Listing Image for 136 Manauea St Unit 9 1 of 4 Listing Image for 136 Manauea St Unit 9 2 of 4 Listing Image for 136 Manauea St Unit 9 3 of 4 Listing Image for 136 Manauea St Unit 9 4 of 4

$5,500,000

Wailea/Makena

136 Manauea St Unit 9, Wailea/Makena

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410497

Days on Market: 47

Discovery Makena Realty LLC Cell: 808-870-8000

Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 1 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 2 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 3 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 4 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 5 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 6 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 7 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 8 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 9 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 10 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 11 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 12 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 13 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 14 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 15 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 16 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 17 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 18 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 19 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 20 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 21 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 22 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 23 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 24 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 25 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 26 of 27 Listing Image for 101 Hopo'i Pl 51b 27 of 27

$565,000

↓ $10,000

Wailuku

101 Hopo'i Pl 51b, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410421

Days on Market: 47

Compass-W

Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 1 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 2 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 3 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 4 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 5 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 6 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 7 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 8 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 9 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 10 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 11 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 12 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 13 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 14 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 15 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 16 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 17 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 18 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 19 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 20 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 21 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 22 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 23 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 24 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 25 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 26 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 27 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 28 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 29 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 30 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 31 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 32 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 33 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 34 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 35 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 36 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 37 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 38 of 39 Listing Image for 0 Calasa Rd 39 of 39

$975,000

Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Calasa Rd, Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410418

Days on Market: 48

Compass Cell: 808-276-6881

Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 1 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 2 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 3 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 4 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 5 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 6 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 7 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 8 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 9 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 10 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 11 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 12 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 13 of 14 Listing Image for 232 Lahainaluna Rd 14 of 14

$1,495,000

Lahaina

232 Lahainaluna Rd, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410408

Days on Market: 49

Hawaii Life (W) Cell: 808-870-8668

Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 1 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 2 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 3 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 4 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 5 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 6 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 7 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 8 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 9 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 10 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 11 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 12 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 13 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 14 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 15 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 16 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 17 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 18 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 19 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 20 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 21 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 22 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 23 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 24 of 25 Listing Image for 238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21 25 of 25

$3,150,000

Kapalua

238 Keoawa Pl Lot 21, Kapalua

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410402

Days on Market: 51

Welcome Hawaii Properties Cell: 808-280-2480

Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 1 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 2 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 3 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 4 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 5 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 6 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 7 of 8 Listing Image for 281 Maha Rd Unit A 8 of 8

$1,100,000

Makawao/Olinda/Haliimaile

281 Maha Rd Unit A, Makawao/Olinda/Haliimaile

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410399

Days on Market: 51

Coldwell Banker Island Prop-Ku Cell: 808-446-3754

Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 1 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 2 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 3 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 4 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 5 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 6 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 7 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 8 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 9 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 10 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 11 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 12 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 13 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 14 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 15 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 16 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 17 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 18 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 19 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 20 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 21 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 22 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 23 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 24 of 25 Listing Image for 242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22 25 of 25

$3,295,000

Kapalua

242 Keoawa Pl Lot 22, Kapalua

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410401

Days on Market: 51

Welcome Hawaii Properties Cell: 808-280-2480

Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 1 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 2 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 3 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 4 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 5 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 6 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 7 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 8 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 9 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 10 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 11 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 12 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 13 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 14 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 15 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 16 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 17 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 18 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 19 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 20 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 21 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 22 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 23 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 24 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 25 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 26 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 27 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 28 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 29 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 30 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 31 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 32 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 33 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 34 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 35 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 36 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 37 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 38 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 39 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 40 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 41 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 42 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 43 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 44 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 45 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 46 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 47 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 48 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 49 of 50 Listing Image for 45 Lolii Pl 37 50 of 50

$785,000

Kaanapali

45 Lolii Pl 37, Kaanapali

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410389

Days on Market: 52

Keller Williams Realty Maui-L Cell: 808-870-7736

Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 1 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 2 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 3 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 4 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 5 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 6 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 7 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 8 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 9 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 10 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 11 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 12 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 13 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 14 of 15 Listing Image for 2057 Mokuhau Rd 15 of 15

$599,000

Wailuku

2057 Mokuhau Rd, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410391

Days on Market: 52

REMAX Hawaii Maui

Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 1 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 2 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 3 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 4 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 5 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 6 of 7 Listing Image for 769 Kumulani Dr 7 of 7

$1,296,000

Maui Meadows

769 Kumulani Dr, Maui Meadows

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410354

Days on Market: 58

The Agency Maui Cell: 808-280-7890

Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 1 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 2 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 3 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 4 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 5 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 6 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 7 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 8 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 9 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 10 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 11 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 12 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 13 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 14 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 15 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 16 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 17 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 18 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 19 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 20 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 21 of 22 Listing Image for 2129 Akeu Way 22 of 22

$155,000

Molokai

2129 Akeu Way, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410351

Days on Market: 58

Molokai Realty LLC Cell: 808-646-0837

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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.

Get In Touch With Evan!

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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