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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$730,000

↓ $15,000

Lahaina

1618 Kuuipo St, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410338

Days on Market: 59

Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) Cell: 808-344-4363

Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 1 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 2 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 3 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 4 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 5 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 6 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 7 of 8 Listing Image for 30 Kaiaka Rd 8 of 8

$165,000

Molokai

30 Kaiaka Rd, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410345

Days on Market: 59

Molokai Realty LLC Cell: 808-646-0837

Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 1 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 2 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 3 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 4 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 5 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 6 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 7 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 8 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 9 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 10 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 11 of 12 Listing Image for 128 Keoneloa Pl 16 12 of 12

$429,000

Wailuku

128 Keoneloa Pl 16, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410333

Days on Market: 60

Maui Property Managers LLC

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

$650,000

Wailuku

21 Lahaole Pl 11, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410323

Days on Market: 62

Berkshire Hathaway Maui Prop-L Cell: 808-280-7061

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Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 1 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 2 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 3 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 4 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 5 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 6 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 7 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 8 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 9 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 10 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 11 of 12 Listing Image for 109 Kiha Pl Lot 42 12 of 12

$625,000

Wailuku

109 Kiha Pl Lot 42, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410305

Days on Market: 63

Coldwell Banker Island Prop-KP Cell: 808-868-8673

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

$2,900,000

Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

Omaopio Rd, Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410300

Days on Market: 63

Hawaii Life (W) Cell: 808-280-0113

Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 1 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 2 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 3 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 4 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 5 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 6 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 7 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 8 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 9 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 10 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 11 of 12 Listing Image for 33 Kamakoa Loop 12 of 12

$515,000

Wailuku

33 Kamakoa Loop, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410288

Days on Market: 65

Shore To Shore Realty, Inc.

Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 1 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 2 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 3 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 4 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 5 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 6 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 7 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 8 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 9 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 10 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 11 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 12 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 13 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 14 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 15 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 16 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 17 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 18 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 19 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 20 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 21 of 22 Listing Image for 1715 Kamehameha V Hwy 22 of 22

$199,900

Molokai

1715 Kamehameha V Hwy, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410298

Days on Market: 65

Molokai Vacation Properties Cell: 808-658-1717

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

$1,000,000

Haiku

44 Hanauana Rd, Haiku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410290

Days on Market: 66

eXp Realty Cell: 808-546-0228

Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 1 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 2 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 3 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 4 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 5 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 6 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 7 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 8 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 9 of 10 Listing Image for Hooulu Pl Lot 7 10 of 10

$265,000

Molokai

Hooulu Pl Lot 7, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410260

Days on Market: 67

Molokai Realty LLC Cell: 808-646-0837

Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 1 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 2 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 3 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 4 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 5 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 6 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 7 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 8 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 9 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 10 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 11 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 12 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 13 of 14 Listing Image for 536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3 14 of 14

$595,000

↓ $55,000

Lahaina

536b Lahainaluna Rd Unit 3, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410229

Days on Market: 70

Beach Properties Maui LLC

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

$3,495,000

Lahaina

Haniu Pl Lot 10a, Lahaina

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410222

Days on Market: 72

Compass Cell: 808-283-7214

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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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