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.  

Maui Land For Sale

Sort by:
Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 1 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 2 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 3 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 4 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 5 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 6 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 7 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 8 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 9 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 10 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 11 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 12 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 13 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 14 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 15 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 16 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 17 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 18 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 19 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 20 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 21 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 22 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 23 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 24 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 25 of 26 Listing Image for 601 N Honokala Rd A 26 of 26

$675,000

Haiku

601 N Honokala Rd A, Haiku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410192

Days on Market: 73

The Maui Real Estate Team Inc Cell: 808-283-6377

Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 1 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 2 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 3 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 4 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 5 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 6 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 7 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 8 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 9 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 10 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 11 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 12 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 13 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 14 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 15 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 16 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 17 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 18 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 19 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 20 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 21 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 22 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 23 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 24 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 25 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 26 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 27 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 28 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 29 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 30 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 31 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 32 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 33 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 34 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 35 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 36 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 37 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 38 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 39 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 40 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 41 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 42 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 43 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 44 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 45 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 46 of 47 Listing Image for 182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B 47 of 47

$849,000

Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

182 Hoomaikai Pl Unit B, Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410191

Days on Market: 73

Equity One Real Estate Inc (M) Cell: 808-280-1325

Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 1 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 2 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 3 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 4 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 5 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 6 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 7 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 8 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 9 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 10 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 11 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 12 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 13 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 14 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 15 of 16 Listing Image for Alaluana Rd 16 of 16

$550,000

Makawao/Olinda/Haliimaile

Alaluana Rd, Makawao/Olinda/Haliimaile

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410167

Days on Market: 75

Hawaii Life (MA) Cell: 808-960-4993

In Escrow
Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 1 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 2 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 3 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 4 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 5 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 6 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 7 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 8 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 9 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 10 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 11 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 12 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 13 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 14 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 15 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 16 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 17 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 18 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 19 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 20 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 21 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 22 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 23 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 24 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 25 of 26 Listing Image for 240 Kula I'o Rd 26 of 26

$1,800,000

Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

240 Kula I'o Rd, Kula/Ulupalakua/Kanaio

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410166

Days on Market: 75

Keller Williams Realty Maui-Ka Cell: 808-281-3121

Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 1 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 2 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 3 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 4 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 5 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 6 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 7 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 8 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 9 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 10 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 11 of 12 Listing Image for 204 Ulalena Loop 12 of 12

$975,000

Haiku

204 Ulalena Loop, Haiku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410181

Days on Market: 75

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

Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 1 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 2 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 3 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 4 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 5 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 6 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 7 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 8 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 9 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 10 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 11 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 12 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 13 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 14 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 15 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 16 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 17 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 18 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 19 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 20 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 21 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 22 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 23 of 24 Listing Image for 6501 Honoapiilani Hwy 24 of 24

$2,500,000

Kapalua

6501 Honoapiilani Hwy, Kapalua

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410158

Days on Market: 76

Compass Cell: 808-357-8398

Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 1 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 2 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 3 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 4 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 5 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 6 of 7 Listing Image for 21 N Laikeha Pl 7 of 7

$988,000

Wailuku

21 N Laikeha Pl, Wailuku

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410123

Days on Market: 82

Keller Williams Realty Maui-Ki Cell: 808-344-3094

Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 1 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 2 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 3 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 4 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 5 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 6 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 7 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 8 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 9 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 10 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 11 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 12 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 13 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 14 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 15 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 16 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 17 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 18 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 19 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 20 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 21 of 22 Listing Image for 5159 Makena Rd 22 of 22

$3,295,000

Wailea/Makena

5159 Makena Rd, Wailea/Makena

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410110

Days on Market: 83

Maui Real Estate Advisors LLC 808-875-4444

Listing Image for 160 Manalo St 1 of 5 Listing Image for 160 Manalo St 2 of 5 Listing Image for 160 Manalo St 3 of 5 Listing Image for 160 Manalo St 4 of 5 Listing Image for 160 Manalo St 5 of 5

$1,450,000

Wailea/Makena

160 Manalo St, Wailea/Makena

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410084

Days on Market: 86

Coldwell Banker Island Prop(S) Cell: 808-276-4017

Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 1 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 2 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 3 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 4 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 5 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 6 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 7 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 8 of 9 Listing Image for 2108 Akeu Way 9 of 9

$125,000

Molokai

2108 Akeu Way, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410073

Days on Market: 87

Molokai Realty LLC Cell: 808-646-0837

Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 1 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 2 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 3 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 4 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 5 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 6 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 7 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 8 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 9 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 10 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 11 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 12 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 13 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 14 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 15 of 16 Listing Image for 340 Onioni Dr 101 16 of 16

$180,000

Molokai

340 Onioni Dr 101, Molokai

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410077

Days on Market: 87

Molokai Vacation Properties Cell: 808-658-1717

In Escrow
Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 1 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 2 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 3 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 4 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 5 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 6 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 7 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 8 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 9 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 10 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 11 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 12 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 13 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 14 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 15 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 16 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 17 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 18 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 19 of 20 Listing Image for 520 Keolani Pl 20 of 20

$3,300,000

Kahului

520 Keolani Pl, Kahului

0 Beds 0 Baths 0 SqFt Land MLS® # 410023

Days on Market: 92

Kokua Realty LLC

View 12 More Listings

 

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.

Provide a valid email address.
Newsletter consent

Posted by Evan Harlow R(S) on

Enjoy this blog post? Click here to subscribe for updates

Email Send a link to post via Email

Leave A Comment

e.g. yourwebsitename.com
Please note that your email address is kept private upon posting.